ROB Parker’s season seemed to be over when he suffered a dreadfully mangled hand in action for Tynedale back in the autumn.

But the exciting three quarter has come roaring back in style after surgery, scoring one of the tries of the season as Tynedale demolished Otley in a six-try jamboree.

Tynedale seemed in big trouble when a clearance kick was charged down in their own 22, but the ball fell to Parker, who ducked and dived and jinked his way out of reach of the clutching Otley arms.

Everyone expected him to kick, but he passed instead, and then looped round to gather the ball again on halfway, and storm away to score a superb try in the corner.

It was a move which typified the flair and passion with which Tynedale play their rugby these days, freed of the horrors of successive relegation battles.

Tynedale began the game without skipper Matty Outson, away on holiday, so Dan Taylor donned the number nine shirt, with Ash Smith slotting in at fly half.

The game was unusual in that there were very few stoppages of any kind, with both halves finishing pretty well on time - a real rarity in these days of repeatedly re-set scrums and strategic injury time-outs.

Otley played their parts well, full of running and adventure, and they could feel a little disappointed at heading back to Yorkshire empty handed.

They may have regretted failing to take advantage of their huge superiority in the forward battle in the opening minutes, which saw them awarded a string of penalties in front of the posts. They spurned the easy three points on several occasions as they tried to muscle their way over for a try.

However, they finished up trying a little too hard, and much to Tynedale’s delight, conceded a penalty which allowed the blue and whites to clear their lines.

That was about as good as it got for Otley, for the forward exchanges thereafter which much more even.

Indeed, from the line-out which followed the clearance, Tynedale drove the ball a good 40 metres up the field, before the ball was released for winger Oli Walker to open the scoring with a fine try on 12 minutes.

Smith was unable to convert, but four minutes later, another line-out catch and drive brought Tynedale within range, and this time is was Taylor who went sniping over to make it 10-0.

He seemed sure to be on his way to another try when he pulled off a neat interception, with no-one between him and the try line, but the referee brought play back for an earlier offside, and this time, Otley did take the three points through the boot of full back Tom Hodson.

Otley were pressing again when Parker produced his moment of magic on 28 minutes, and Smith’s conversion took the score to 17-3.

Tynedale had the four try bonus point in the bag on the 34th minute, when a fine break by prop Angus Fulton was followed by a great pass by Smith to send second row Graeme Dunn over, Smith’s conversion taking the score to 24-3.

But Otley refused to lie down, and were rewarded when. after good work by hooker Ben Steele, prop George Burkinshaw went over for a try converted by Hodson to make it 24-10 at the break.

Four minutes into the second half, Will Miller unceremoniously ripped the ball off an Otley man to launch a counterattack which saw flanker Joe Mills cross for the fifth try, converted by Smith for 31-10.

Tynedale paid the price for a little showboating in their own 22 when an attempted flick pass fell in to Otley hands, and winger Henry Roberts squeezed in at the corner for an unconverted try.

Tynedale were soon back at the the other end though, where further adventurous play ended with replacement Tom McCullough sliding in for the sixth try, converted by Smith, with 63 minutes gone.

Otley finished as strongly as they had started, some sloppy play by Tynedale allowing skipper Freddie Watson to score an unconverted consolation try with five minutes left.

Tynedale face Yorkshire opposition again tomorrow, when they go to Wharfedale for the rearranged game postponed from January 14.