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Old Otliensians 1st XV 24 - Hessle 1st XV 0
With the September sun beaming down, and the
conditions under foot perfect for running rugby the stage was set for the
first Yorkshire League 4 encounter of the season against Hessle, and the
Otliensians were in no mood to let their large contingent of supporters
down.
The game started at a tremendous pace with the Hessle backs showing their
intention to use the wide channels at every opportunity, eagerly prompted by
their former Welsh International player/coach Gary Pearce. They were however
to be given no respite, beginning with the outstanding defence of the
Otliensians backs and back row, and continuing throughout the game where
they were unable to cope with the inventiveness and overall pace of the
whole Otliensians back line, with Jon Woods, Ratahi and Hayward making
numerous telling breaks.
In contrast the forward encounter was one of titanic proportions, with no
quarter asked for or given, with the Ensians disrupting the ball at every
lineout, and the powerful Hessle forwards continuing to show tremendous
scrummaging prowess to the very last. The key confrontation was however at
the contact situation and in the loose, where the Ensians back row of
Duggan, Arbuckle, Tom Woods and laterly Grey, prompted by scrum half Birch,
proved to have the upper hand.
There were two turning points in the first half, firstly the Ensians again
won a Hessle throw near to their own line, for Smith to crash over for a
well deserved try, converted expertly by Foster, and secondly heroic Ensians
defence for the final three minutes of the half, where wave after wave of
Hessle attacks were driven back to the increasing pleasure of the home
supporters.
With the half time score of 7 - 0, it was obvious to see that the superior
Ensians fitness was beginning to tell, and this proved decisive in the
second half, as the Ensians continued to play their dynamic and aggressive
game. The pressure was beginning to build, and Foster converted an excellent
40 metre penalty, that lead to the dominant phase of the game where the
Ensians forwards and backs combined in scintillating fashion to engineer
further converted tries for Bonner and Duggan.
The final score of 24 - 0 was a fair reflection of a very competitive game,
between two committed and skilful sides with the Ensians again maintaining a
well deserved clean sheet.
Ensians contest and win Hessle lineout
Skipper on the charge
Pressure in the lineout gives the skipper an easy "flop over" try
The Ensian pack stuck to their guns against a heavier pack
Hessle had a sustained period of pressure in the 2nd quarter of the first
half, Ensians kept a clean sheet
The biggest winger in the Yorkshire leagues, Bonzo leaves the defence for
dead
Duggan dives over for the final try of the game
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Bonzo in full flight (animation may take some time to download)
Report supplied by the coach, Gary Walker.
Rawmarsh 1sts 7 - Old Otliensians A 26
In their first ever fixture against this South
Yorkshire Division 5 side,’Ensians travelled with only 14 players, including
veteran Peter Tempest. The home side loaned a player and set off very
strongly with their huge pack dominating the early exchanges.
However, it was the visitors who were first off the mark with a good score
from No 8 Andy Allman who picked up from a scrum and drove over. Rawmarsh
replied with a pushover try which they converted to give them a 7 – 5 lead.
The ‘Ensians front row of Dave Beardsley, James Kear and Tom Twist began to
produce good ball and from good backing up, second row Richard Wardak picked
up and went over to regain the lead. Matt Tenniswood converted to make the
score 12 – 7 to the visitors at the break.
The second period saw the ‘Ensians backs moving the ball at every
opportunity through half-backs Ben Newell and Phil Purnell, but indifferent
handling saw scoring chances wasted. However, the continuing pressure told
and centre Andy Bower scooped up a loose ball to go over and increase the
lead. Matt Tenniswood added the two points to put the visitors in front 19
points to 7.
Rawmarsh began using their heavy substitutes, but the visitors back row of
Jim Saunders, Andy Allman and Peter Tempest tackled well with good support
from lock Alan Harker. As the end approached the game became scrappy but
good work from the ‘Ensians backs saw the loaned player finish off a good
move. Matt Tenniswood converted to conclude a good team effort with a 26 – 7
victory.
Cleckheaton 4ths 62 – Old Otliensians B 17
Although not due to start their fixtures until
the following week, ‘Ensians 3rds accepted an offer to travel to Cleckheaton
and set off with twelve players and a group of twelve supporting “WAGS”,
(wives and girlfriends). Cleckheaton loaned two players to increase the
visitors to fourteen.
On a hard pitch Cleckheaton set off at a lively pace and soon ran in three
tries with one being converted to give them a seventeen point lead. However,
the ‘Ensians front row of Scott Child, Jock McIlwraith and Steve Robinson
gradually settled down in the scrums and with better quality ball, the
visitors were able to exert pressure on the home side. Andy Wood, having his
first game at lock, had some powerful runs and his loaned second row partner
forced his way over for two good tries. With Andy Wood adding the
conversion, ‘Ensians were a very creditable 17 points to 12 down at the
break.
In the second period, the home side’s extra man began to take its toll and
as they moved the ball about well, ‘Ensians began to tire. Good defensive
work by full back Sean Flesher, centres Jim Mc Dougall and Darrell Hamilton
nullified several moves, but eventually Cleackheaton ran in six more tries,
which, with conversions, gave them a big lead. However, the visitors never
gave up and captain Jim Mc Dougall finished off a good move to score wide
out. The failed conversion left the final score at 62 – 17 to Cleackheaton.
The score somewhat flattered the home side in what was a good-spirited
effort by ‘Ensians. With more players becoming available, the 3rd XV can
look forward to producing a more competitive edge in the weeks ahead.
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