CALDY held on grimly in the closing stages to defeat Otley 29-22 in a lively, entertaining National Three North league encounter at Paton Field.

The home side twice fell behind in the early stages but powered to a 29-12 interval advantage, thanks to some excellent line-out work.

Otley with the strong wind at their backs looked the likely winners when they trailed by only seven points with nearly twenty minutes remaining but Caldy knuckled down to continually frustrate their opponents and record a fifth win of the season.

The Yorkshire side looked very dangerous in possession and registered an excellent running try inside two minutes.

Caldy hit back as Craig Smithson crossed from a ninth minute line-out but Otley responded with a converted touch down with a dozen minutes on the clock.

Caldy struck via Christian Jones after a line with Richard Vasey converting.

Then Ben Jones raced clear from half-way as Otley gave away possession.

The extras followed via the boot of Richard Vasey.

The Wirral side continued to make things uncomfortable for Otley from throw-ins with Chris Jones again and Mike Manley both getting over the whitewash from close range ahead of the break.

Otley, despite having the elements in their favour, found it difficult to get out of their own territory in the third quarter but when they eventually did they took a leaf out of Caldy's book with a try from a line-out.

It was really game on when a quickly taken penalty led their fourth touch in the 63rd minute.

Caldy then had to really show their metal to continually deny their opponents good possession.

Otley left with two bonus points which they deserved but in the main it was Caldy's day as they bounced beck following a couple of disappointing defeats.

Wirral picked up a welcome second win in National Three North but were given a fight by bottom of the table Beverley in a clash which finished 39-29 at Clatterbridge.

The home side was cruising at 39-8 but three converted tries by the Yorkshire outfit in the last quarter earned them a bonus point and made the scoreline more respectable.

Alistair Baker went in twice for the winners and there were also tries through James Annetts, Paul Lewis, Adam Sheldon and Dan Harvey with the latter kicking three conversions and a penalty.

Birkenhead Park won but New Brighton lost in North One West.

Park came away 31-22 to the good from Wigton to move to the top of the table but New Brighton were on the wrong side of a 44-24 score at Widnes.

Peter Doolan with two tries claimed the Man of the Match award for Park. Rob Doolan and Ollie Mabbutt also crossed with Dave Hall landing all the conversions plus a penalty.

Park twice fell behind early on but were in front 17-10 at the half way stage.

They stretched to 24-10 in the third quarter but then Wigton hit them with a brace of touch downs and a conversion.

At 22-24 it really was game on but the visitors always appeared to have a bit in hand and closed Wigton out with a bonus clinching fourth try.

New Brighton paid for their indiscretions in the first period at Widnes although they did have a converted penalty try to show for their efforts.

Later in the game they came good to register three more tries which earned a bonus point but they are now too low down the table for comfort.

Hoylake enjoyed a 24-17 success over Manchester Medics at Melrose Avenue in South Lancashire / Cheshire One.

It was an overdue first win but they remain in bottom place.

There was agony for Anselmians in a 24-25 reverse at Winnington Park.

Port Sunlight and Prenton both lost In Division Two - Sunlight 8-17 at home to Orrell and Prenton 11-24 against visiting Marple.

Wallasey took the Division Three derby at Oxton Parkonians 27-13.

Oldershaw despatched Isle of Man visitors Ramsey 29-15 and Ellesmere Port came away 53-5 to the good from Helsby.

Caldy have lowly Broadstreet as visitors this Saturday but Wallasey apart the other local clubs do not have league engagements.

Wallasey play a re-arranged match against Capenhurst at Cross Lane.