Liverpool St Helens 12 Otley 16 LSH slid nearer to relegation after this home defeat by Otley. Two very evenly matched sides produced an exciting game which was in the balance throughout.

Otley opened with two penalties for off-side before forward pressure produced a try for skipper Dave Lupton who was driven over by the home pack. Chris Glynn converted to give LSH a 7-6 lead.

Otley hit back with a try by flanker Filipo from a maul but the homesters responded with a similar try by Carl Wales just before half-time LSH lost influential centre Kevin Davies through a bang on the head. He was replaced by Chris Walker. The only score in the second half was a try by Otley lock Paul Williams who crashed over wide out.

LSH applied considerable pressure but crucially lost control through trying to play 100 mph rugby when a little less haste may have been more successful. No criticism can be made in respect of commitment and effort and LSH at least deserved a share of the spoils.

In a performance where every player gave his all, youngsters Chris Glynn and Martin Gaskell looked good, and the pack, urged on by scrum-half Bruce Thompson, never conceded defeat.

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