RESOLUTE Sheffield survived a late onslaught to claim victory in a pulsating all-Yorkshire clash yesterday.
Just six points adrift entering time added-on, a resurgent Otley laid siege to the Sheffield line. A succession of penalty scrums were thwarted as the hosts' stern defence held out.
In a first half where the hosts looked secure, Archie Crapper got things moving. Quick second-phase ball from the scrum saw the forward crash over with, Elliot Fisher converting.
In control, the hosts then doubled their lead. Turn-over ball allowed Fisher to break from 40 meters out to run in under the posts.
Mid-way through the half Otley crossed through Louis Martin, shrugging off a string of tackles, narrowing the deficit to 14-5. Sheffield's James Flint saw yellow on the stroke of half-time buoying the visitors after the restart.
In a dominant spell Otley were only able to add a Gavin Stead penalty and on the hour mark were undone when the hosts' ability to keep the ball alive saw Ben Whitney score.
With six minutes left the visitors took control when Martin claimed his second, converted to reduce the deficit to 21- 15. It was one-way traffic from there with the visitors falling short.
TEAMS
SHEFFIELD: Davies, Catleugh, Flint, Smith, Hooper, Posa, Fisher, Whitney, Campbell, Hicklin, Crapper, Parsons, Fawdry, Hignell, Burrows Replacements: Hughes, Rogers, Flinders, Adcock, Napier OTLEY: Dinsdale, Taylor, Martin, Stead, Graham, Crossland, Gaffney, Nicholls, Mudd, Moss, Johnson, Jackson, Waddington, Mullin, Malthouse Replacements: Baxter, Gibson, Bowen, Hodge, Metcalf
REFEREE: George Ansley
ATTENDANCE: 219
Star man
Elliot Fisher -Sheffield
