Late Rally Sees Otley Overcome 12-Point Deficit

Leading 12-0 at half-time, it looked as though Hull RUFC were about to begin their season with a win. Despite outscoring Otley two tries to one, the home side were eventually undone by Otley’s scrum-half and goal kicker Joe Rowntree.

Hull started very well and after just 10 minutes, forward Jack Baldry picked up a loose ball 10 yards out and touched down under the post to maintain his record of scoring in every game he has played for the club. Harrison Astley converted the easiest of conversions to see Hull take a 7-0 lead.

Almost immediately Otley missed a penalty goal attempt. Hull then started to exert some real pressure and although they were getting plenty of penalties they were unable to make this pressure count, missing a couple of penalty goals in the process.

Hull kept trying to break down an obstinate Otley defence and eventually this was achieved when Astley kicked cross field after a lineout 25 yards out for Mike Adlard to catch and round his opposite number and touch down seven yards in from touch. The conversion drifted wide to see Hull in the lead 12-0 at half-time.

The second period saw Otley using long kicks with good follow up to keep Hull in their own half.

An early second half  penalty by Rowntree reduced the arrears but it was Hull who seemed certain to score three minutes later. However, the home side were adjudged not to have grounded the ball after a tremendous forward surge.

Hull had brought on back rower Mosese Nasilasila at the interval and backs Duell Trueman, Reece Dean and second rower Billy Addy after 52 minutes and immediately Dean had a penalty award only to see his kick fall just short.

After 58 minutes, Roundtree’s kick another penalty to put his side one converted try from victory. With both sides searching for a decisive score, desperate defence saw Otley’s William Derry and Hull’s Anthony McCormack yellow carded in the 60th and 72nd minute respectively.

It was Otley who took advantage of being a man up in the last five minutes when a catch and drive saw them power over from a lineout after 73 minutes with the try being credited to Thomas Coates. Rowntree’s conversion from wide out securing the narrowest of victories for a determined Otley outfit.