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OLD OTLIENSIANS 25 pts vs BURLEY 11 pts
Old Otliensians progressed to the quarter
final of the Yorkshire Silver Trophy with a well constructed victory
over a Burley side full of endeavour, who had already gained promotion to
Yorkshire Division 4 for next season, still been unbeaten in the league this
season.
Burley elected to play with the elements in the first half, and after a very
bright Otliensians start, where they established a dominance in the scrum,
Burley managed to convert a long range penalty to take the lead after 7
minutes. This again roused the home forwards who won possession for Ratahi
to make an excellent break through the centre, with a well executed draw and
pass leaving Arbuckle to charge unopposed to the line. Burley came back in
to the game with their pacey outside centre beginning to show his skills,
and after a further Burley penalty, Smith the Otliensians skipper was very
harshly sin binned on 21 minutes, leading to a well executed Burley move
using the extra man to good advantage for the outstanding centre to out pace
the defence to touch down in the left corner.
The Otliensians forwards began to apply increasing pressure with the front
three of Bonner, Lyons and Percy crushing the life from their Burley
counterparts, the back three of Duggan, O'Donnell and Arbuckle dominating
the loose, with Woods and Smith providing the hard yards, it was only a
matter of time before a further try, which came on the stroke of half time.
A clean catch from the line out was driven on by the trade mark Otliensians
dynamic maul, as the ball was released by Birch, Duggan came on a sublime
angle, hitting the space to make the half time score 10 - 11.
It only needed 3 minutes of the second half for Otliensians to take the
lead, Duggan ripping the ball from the Burley forwards, before Arbuckle took
it on through 50 metres, it was released and excellent hands by Keinhorst,
Foster and Ratahi gave left wing Hayward the overlap and easy score.
The Otliensians patterns of play were gelling, but Burley were not for
giving any ground, and began to contribute their own style, mainly through
quick ball to the backs, but the frequency was less as energy drained. On 55
minutes a Foster penalty extended the lead, and following further excellent
work by Birch and Duggan, Ratahi was released 25 metres out, pivoting
through tackles to score by the left post, Foster converting for a well
deserved 25 - 11 victory, to which Burley's contribution should not be
underestimated, as they played some attractive rugby throughou the game.
Report supplied by the coach, Gary Walker. |
