In what is becoming a trademark opening, Harry Hudson was the first to open the scoring when, after a good scrummage in Stockport’s 22, the ball found its way to Hudson, via Jack Mackie and Michael Coady and was finished off by the league’s leading try scorer in the corner for 5-0. Three minutes later, after forcing a five-metre line-out, a clean catch and solid drive had flanker Joe Armitage grounding, scrum half Stephen Depledge adding the conversion.

Stockport then came into the game although their attacks were successfully rebuffed, Otley were again looking to stretch their lead. Their third try started in their own half Alex Beaumont showing his pace to round Stockport’s defence on the far side, passed it to Harry Hudson who in turn gave it to Jack Mackie to score.

The bonus point try came about through the forwards' dominance. On the half hour mark Arnie Ellison went close after a weaving run saw him evade three Stockport tackles, but he was held up. From the resulting scrum, the ball came out to Depledge who had the simplest of tasks just to pop the ball down over the line from a yard out. His conversion extended the lead to 24-0 at half-time.

Stockport came out knowing that if they were going to get a foothold in the game, it would have to be sooner rather than later. They did come out with a greater intensity and were rewarded within four minutes of the restart. Two penalties saw the visitors close to the host’s line, and after when Ben Steele took a collective yellow card. Putting the ball into the corner, Stockport’s Andy Fuller used the man advantage to get across the line, Mark Edwards adding the extras.

Unamused their line had being broken, Otley’s response was almost immediate. At a scrum on the visitor’s 22, the ball came out and Stephen Depledge picked it up and ran for the line only for the whistle to go. Play then moved to the half way line, when Stockport’s scrum was unable to hold its ground. Stephen Depledge’s quick penalty resulted in Ellison galloping into the corner after a lovely pass outside by Harry Hudson.

Ten minutes later, Stockport added five more points to the scoreboard. Sammy Graham made an excellent break to find Cantwell after good support play by Sean Street.

The sixth try belonged to the forwards. After five scrums, during which period the Stockport hooker Sam Graham received a yellow card, the referee finally lost patience with the visitors and awarded the hosts a penalty. Otley’s celebrations were complete when, on 74 minutes, Jonathan Stannard raced in from 25 metres.

With thanks to John Finch and Chris Neal (Stockport); Paul Barrett for the photographs