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MOSBOROUGH 1st XV 5 pts vs OLD OTLIENSIANS
1st XV 12 pts
Otliensians returned to League rugby on
Saturday with the long trip to Mosborough, and whilst these journeys are
never easy, the Ensians cause could have been even more difficult with six
first team regulars unavailable. Debuts were given to the O'Donnell
brothers, Tom and Lee, with Steve Robinson also making a debut cameo
appearance, and with every other member of the team showing total
commitment, another hard fought away league victory was achieved.
The game started with Ensians creating pressure through the pack, and
showing their excellent handling skills only to be thwarted several times
close to the line. Mosborough came back through their physical pack, but it
was plain to see, even in the early exchanges that if Ensians could match
their bigger opponents up front, then the Ensians backs were more inventive
and could win the game, so it proved.
The first half became an attritional battle up front, with the Ensians
pressuring in the Mosborough 22, and the home side relieving through their
well drilled set piece play, however the breakthrough seemed to have been
made when Arbuckle crashed over the line, only for the referee to deem that
he had been held up. This did not deter the Ensians eight who lead by Bonner
were beginning to wear their opponents down, and the mood was one of
confidence as the half time whistle blew with the game still a 0 - 0
stalemate.
The Ensians backs were troubling their counterparts, with superb service
from Birch, Kristian Keinhorst was controlling the game, Ratahi was
mesmerising the Mosborough centres with his distribution, and Woods was
threatening with every touch of the ball. As the Mosborough pack began to
tire, the ball was once again taken up by the Ensians forwards through three
phases of play, releasing the Ensians backs with space, two quick passes and
Woods was accelerating down the wing leaving a trail of defenders behind
him, before finishing in the corner.
Within five minutes Ensians had again shown what they were capable of, with
backs and forwards combining for Philpott to crash over, and Matt Tenniswood
adding the extra two points. The Mosborough rally was ferocious, driving up
field they began a series of punishing attacks through their pack, but the
defence of Arbuckle, Tom O'Donnell, Brett Tenniswood and Hanogue was
outstanding, repelling them at every turn, and with Cook and Lyon at prop
fighting for every inch of ground, it looked as though Ensians would collect
their third clean sheet in five league games.
However, from another forward surge, the Mosborough prop managed to get over
the whitewash, but with Birch putting his body on the line, it appeared to
the away support that he had been held up, but unfortunately the referee
again ruled in Mosborough's favour.
This was to be the last serious threat, and the game ended as it had started
with Ensians in the ascendancy and another two league points secured.
Otliensians 2nd XV 38 pts v Mosborough 2nd
XV 3 pts
Sean Kennedy scores first for Ensians
See more Photos here!
Otliensians were the liveliest in the early
exchanges as the visitors took time to settle and after 11 mins a good
cross-field move went to wing Joe Robinson who stood up well in the tackle
to feed centre Sean Kennedy who scored wideout. The home side were well on
top in the tight with hooker Ross Myers striking well but lineout ball was
difficult to come by. However the Ensians backs were showing some real pace
and and excellent sweeping move saw left wing Darren Cooley loop around
right wing Robinson to score in the corner. Ben Newall converted with a good
kick. Just on halftime Andy Allman at no 8 broke through a tackle at full
power some 30m out to feed Robinson who scored near the posts for Newall to
convert.
With a 19 - 0 pts lead Otliensians began strongly after the break. Last
years leading scorer Richard Cuff back after injury came on at half time and
soon powered down the right to feed Kennedy who scored under the posts for
Newall to convert. The home side eased off a little and Mosborough came back
into the game but good defence kept them at bay and they only had a penalty
to show for their efforts.
In the final quarter the fitness of Otliensians began to tell as they
dominated the set scrum and won good ball in the loose. However over
keenness to exploit the superiority resulted in a number of forward passes
and chances to score were lost. A super move was started by fullback Nick
Smith from deep in his own half; a change of pace confounded the visitors
mid field defence , the ball went wide right before swinging back across the
field for Nick Smith to complete the move he had begun. Newall again
converted. This was soon followed by another good try initiated by stand off
Phil Purnell, who was having a class game. He seized on a loose ball in the
Ensians half which was transferred along the backs for Cuff to score.
A good team effort from Otliensians with some fine running by the three
quarters.
On Saturday Otliensians are scheduled to play Old Modernians at all levels.
The 1st and 3rd XV are at home and the 2nd XV are away at Cookridge
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