Otley edge derby tussle with Gate

By TIM THORLEY

Harrogate……………. 10

Otley…………………….. 16

Otley took the derby bragging rights by beating Harrogate in an entertaining game – the first meeting between the rivals for six years.

Harrogate started brightly and had early pressure, but could not convert it into points as Dan Troup missed a long-range penalty.

Quick thinking from Callum Irvine against his former club and an excellent 50:22 touchfinder put Otley on the attack, but Gate defended strongly.

Midway through the half, Otley took the lead when Irvine kicked his first penalty. Otley scored again in the 35th minute when they ran at Harrogate and Adam Malthouse drove over in the corner.

Harrogate responded on the final play of the half as Chris Jackson went over for a debut try, but the conversion was missed.

Harrogate scored again immediately after the restart, Jacob Percival crossing in the lefthand corner following a forward drive.

Otley replied almost immediately, breaking down the right through Irvine, who put Clark Wells in at the corner.

Both sides continued to run the ball and Otley stretched their lead just after the hour when Irvine kicked his second penalty. Harrogate attacked at the end, but Otley's defence held out.