Otley 29 Launceston 33

So far this season Otley have presented two distinct personae - at fortress Cross Green they have been unbeatable, but once away from the shadow of the Chevin they seem incapable of winning (except at doomed Manchester).

After the long trip to Redruth last weke, today Otley hosted Launceston who has made the reverse journey from Cornwall. Launceston kicked off skillfully and regained the ball. They dominated possession for the early stages of the match and edged towards the Otley line with a succession of rucks and mauls. Otley were penalised at a ruck after only five minutes and Launceston took advantage to slot the penalty kick over the to take a 3-0 lead. Launceston continued to dominate immediately afterwards, but then Otley opened up with some enterprising and fast-moving attacks. Launceston were caught offslide and James Murray equalised from the ensuing penalty kick. The score was now 3-3.

Launceston launched another series of attacks after conituous pressure and a series of recycled balls they went over for a try in the corner. Their goal kicker gave notice that he was in sterling form by converting from far out on the right, giving his team a 10-3 lead. Otley then contrived to concede a series of penalties in the rucks, the last one leading to a general warning from the referee. It also provided a kickable penalty opportunity, duly accepted and Otley were 13-3 down. A further penalty for offside put Launceston 16-3 ahead and Otley looked in deep trouble.

Then, just before half time, Otley struck back with a well-worked try. Oli Denton received the ball out on the right wing, beat three opponents and passed on to Ben Steele who surged forward, drew the cover and gave a crisp pass to flanker Joe Quinn, coming up well in support. Quinn took the pass cleanly and burst through to score a try. Murray converted, the score was now 10-16, and Otley looked due to take the half-time break with all to play for and with the impetus in their favour.

Just on half time, Launceston attacked, but knocked on. Otley gathered possession and the referee waved play on, playing the advantage to Otley. Alas the advantage very decidely came to naught. The ball was played out of defence and passed on to Denton on the right wing. He sllipped a pass inside, but it was gratefully accepted by an opponent who raced in unopposed to score. The referee appeared to have ruled that the advantage has expired - but it can have been little more than ten seconds and no more than three passes between the knock and the interception. Launceston converted and took a commanding 23-10 lead into the dressing room at half time. Otley can have justifiably felt the victims and a harsh refereeing decision.

In the second half Launceston attacked from the off. As they moved the ball across the field there appeared to be a clear konck on. However the referee never saw it, play continued and Launceston scored another try, again converted. Otley were now facing a formidable 30-10 defecit.

However, Otley never gave in and in rapid succession we saw two identical tries - both wholly unpredictable. In the 45th minute, Otley gained a penalty and Murray sliced the ball well down into the left-hand corner. Otley won the line-out cleanly and set up a rolling maul. The young and light Otley pack went over for a pushover try - a splendid victory of technique over weight. In the 50th minute we had a complete repetition and a second such try. Both tries were converted by Murray. The loudspeaker announcer attributed the tries respectively to Howard Parr and Oli Steadman, though God alone knows how or why! Whatever, Otley had their tails up and were now only 24-30 behind.

The next twenty minutes saw relentless Otley pressure. Another penalty saw a further attempt at a pushover try, but Launceston resisted. The ball came out of the ruck and scrum-half Stephen Depledge tried to go over for a try on the blind side. This is the sort of decision deemed "bold and brave" when it comes off. Alas it did not - we was tackled into touch and Launceston relieved their line. More Otley pressure led to a kickable penalty, but Murray shot just wide.

In a rare second half foray into Otley territory Launceston were awarded a penaloty for a ruck offence in the 70th minute, and the shot at goal succeeded in putting Otley 24-33 in arrears. Time was running out, and the need to score twice to be able to win the game put Otley on the back foot.

Otley now went into the attack hammer and tongs. The Launceston defence never flinched and never wilted. But with the last move of the game, Oli Denton raced down the right wing, drew his man and chipped the ball towards the try line. Denton was blatantly fouled with a late tackle, but the referee played advantage. This time it was to Otley's real benefit to do so as full-back Chris Georgiou flew after the loose ball, beat tge defence to the touchdfown and scored Otley's fourth try of the match. Just as the conversion sailed wide the whistle blew for full time, and Otley has been pipped 29-33. The rather arcane points system meant that Otley got a bonus point for losing by a margin of less than eight points and a further bonus point for scoring four tries. It was disappointing to lose, but it would have been a travesty of justice if the final try had not been scored and Otley had gone pointless.

Otley supported must be tempted to invoke the massive little word "if". If the Launceston try on half time has been disallowed or prevented; if the crucial knock-on had been spotted; if the Launceston goal-kicker has not been in infalliable form. However the reality remains that Otley played a full part in a formidable 62-point thriller and secured two league points in the process.

The previous match against Cambridge was definitely the best performance of the season so far, but this was probably the most exciting. The next visitors to Cross Green are champions elect Esher. On the basis of displays so far, Otley need feel nothing to fear. Let's hope more Otley people discover that there is excellent rugby on their doorstep and are attracted to the thrills of Cross Green to give us a crowd worthy of the occassion.