Otley 17 v Harrogate 24

Match Report
The stage was set for a fiercely contested match at Cross Green with Otley hoping to secure safety in National League 2 and quash Harrogate's hopes of survival. Unfortunately it was not to be for the home side as Harrogate emerged victorious with a brutal, attritional and soggy 24-17 win.
Harrogate started strong with Steve Maycock scoring the first try in the 6th minute, although Rory Macnab missed the conversion, leaving the score at 5-0. Otley responded in the 17th minute with Jacob Holmes scoring a try, and Joe Rowntree's conversion put them ahead 7-5. Sam Taylor extended Otley's lead with a try in the 21st minute, and Rowntree's reliable boot made it 14-5.
Harrogate fought back with Amrit Sharma scoring a try in the 31st minute, and this time Rory Macnab converted to narrow the gap to 14-12. Steve Maycock added another try in the 35th minute, but Macnab missed the conversion again, giving Harrogate a slim 3 point lead, at 17-14. Kristan Dobson's try in the 37th minute, followed by Rory Macnab's successful conversion, extended Harrogate's lead to 24-14 going in at half time.
The break saw the heavens open and as spectators retreated to the stands it was clear there was going to be very little rugby left to watch this afternoon. With Otley managing to score a penalty through Joe Rowntree’s kick in the 62nd minute being the only points scored in the half. A heroic defensive effort by Harrogate enabled them to hold on to the 80th minute kicking the ball dead and the final scores at 17-24.
With 5 points in the bag, the Aces look forward to a well earned week off before a must win game against Hull at home which could secure safety in the league and a future in National League Rugby.