SEDGLEY PARK...8, OTLEY...28: STRENGTHENED by the return of full back Arno de Jager, Sedgley should have been buoyed for the visit of roses rivals Otley - but they weren't, writes ERNIE NEELEY.

The local supporters were confident of earning at least a bonus point against the Yorkshire outfit, but in the end the Otley pack proved to be more domineering than had been anticipated.

Sedgley kicked off and soon won a penalty, converted by Blair Feeney and followed by a 15 minute period during which both sides were sizing each other up.

It was the visitors who slowly took command through the power of their scrummaging and the robustness of their back five.

They team drew level with a Simon Binns penalty goal followed by Sedgley enjoying a period of good possession, but poor handling prevented a score.

Otley came back at their hosts and Park were penalised for pulling down a maul, with Binns kicking to put his side into the Park 22.

Sedgley lost the resulting line-out and Ian Shuttleworth capitalised on a kick through to score the opening try, converted by Binns.

Otley were playing a well rehearsed and simple game: drive with rolling mauls and kick to the opposition 22, which is what Sedgley expected.

Their defence was brave but not strong enough and Glen Wilson was able to break from yet another rolling maul for an unconverted try to give Otley a 3-15 half-time lead.

Otley continued to press in the second half and Binns increased their lead with a penalty goal.

Sedgley were starved of possession and Otley perservered in mauling their way to the Tigers' line.

In one rare moment of open rugby, they sped the ball wide for Thorpe to cross at the corner flag for a try which Binns converted.

This try signalled a turn of fortune for the home side, who introduced Jim Naylor.

Their forwards at last produced quality ball and Naylor took on the Otley backs, eventually sending de Jager clear with replacement front row Petrus du Plessis in support, and the prop dived over for a try to give the scoreline a hint of respect.

The game livened up and Park spun the ball wide and threatened on several occasions, but yet again it was too little, too late.

SEDGLEY: de Jager, Feeley, Voortman, Hassan, Welding, Feeney, Wilkinson, Roberts, Oxley, Thomas, Fourie, Lund, Senior, Ponton, Skurr. Replacements: Keys, Collie, Du Plessis, Stockdale, Naylor, Glynn, Bullough.

RFU NATIONAL ONE

P W D L F A BP BT PTS

Plymouth Albion... 4 4 0 0 102 67 0 2 18

Exeter... 4 3 0 1 130 78 1 3 16

Rotherham Titans... 3 3 0 0 133 53 0 3 15

Birmingham Solihul... 3 3 0 0 127 50 0 3 15

Bristol... 4 3 0 1 103 64 1 1 14

Otley... 4 3 0 1 109 95 0 2 14

Coventry... 4 3 0 1 105 76 0 1 13

Bedford... 3 2 0 1 104 71 0 2 10

Penzance/Newlyn... 4 2 0 2 103 96 0 1 9

Orrell... 3 0 0 3 60 119 1 1 2

Henley... 4 0 0 4 86 159 1 0 1

SEDGLEY PARK... 4 0 0 4 71 145 0 0 0

London Welsh... 4 0 0 4 63 141 0 0 0

Nottingham... 4 0 0 4 79 161 0 0 0