Nevertheless it was the visitors who took the lead first after four minutes. Gaining an advantageous line-out from their deep kick-off, Otley went straight on the attack and were awarded a penalty on three minutes which scrum half and skipper-for-the-day Stephen Depledge stroked over.

But any thoughts of an easy ride disappeared immediately when they found themselves under pressure from the re-start, eventually conceding a five-metre scrum and, being pushed backwards, they conceded a penalty. The Lions opted for another scrum and two repeats which led to referee going to the posts to award a penalty try. Six minutes later that scenario was severely shortened with Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts signalled a second penalty try after the first scrum. Otley were 14-3 down, fly half Michel Hogan having converted both.

The introduction of Adam Blades at tight-head and Jason Moss reverting to loosehead after 22 minutes helped steady the pack. It was then time for the Otley forwards to make themselves known and they began to cause the home side some trouble, allowing their backs to take advantage. One excellent move ended with a sloppy pass going to ground on the line and turnovers were numerous but the Lions defence was solid, having safely negotiated the loss of lock Joshua McLaurin to the sin-bin.

The war of attrition continued after the break and was broken on the hour when, from a scrum in front of the home posts, Otley flanker Matthew Heaton combined neatly with Stephen Depledge to get fly half Tom Rock over, and suddenly the game took on a keener edge.
But too many Otley attacks fizzled out and they found themselves starting again from their half. However, the visitors were pounding the home line in the final minutes and a try looked almost a certainty but Otley could not find the required penetration.

With thanks to John Finch