Rhodes guides Otley to crucial victory

5:09pm Sunday 23rd November 2008

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Manchester 14, Otley 15

These two sides, promoted together last season, have so far been in competition for the bottom spot in National League One so this was an important game as far as they were concerned yesterday and it was Otley who came away with the spoils, though not with the bonus point which looked likely at one period.

They were happy to welcome back fly half Tom Rhodes, who had a major influence on the game, not only with his penalty and conversion efforts and his kicking from hand but also his distribution, which was made difficult with the home backs being allowed to move forward on defence extremely quickly.

Otley were given first use of a stiff, cold, breeze and they immediately caused problems but it was Manchester who opened the scoring when they escaped from their own half by way of a penalty.

They broke through from the line-out to gain a further penalty under the posts, winger Gareth Wynne duly taking the three points.

But a well-chased high, deep restart had the home defence in confusion and Rhodes was given an simple shot at goal to equalise.

The restart kick was neatly diverted by Dan Hyde to Luther Burrell, who made a break through the middle and handed on to Kyle Dench, who raced into the corner.

Now full of confidence, Otley were working well but were unable to make the final breakthrough and, once again, they allowed Wynne an easy penalty on one of Manchester’s rare forays to their 22.

But on the half-hour, when again under threat, a dropped pass was picked up and moved quickly for Burrell to once again slice through before sending Dench hurtling down the wing and taking the winger's return pass to run in under the posts for Rhodes to convert.

This was the moment when a runaway might be in the offing but Manchester marshalled their defence, and after the break, making good use of the wind, pulled Otley back with a try within three minutes.

Full back Ben Coulbeck came up at speed to go over, and after Dench had the misfortune to put a toe on the touchline when going for the line, Wynne brought Manchester within a point with his third penalty.

However, they failed to inconvenience Otley further and ended the game struggling at numerous five-metre scrums to keep their line intact, being rather lucky when No 8 Mike McCornish got over but was adjudged to be held up, losing No 7 Dew Garth to a yellow card in the process.