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BURLEY 7 OLD OTLIENSIANS 38
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Otliensians continued their good run of form
with a comprehensive six try victory in this potential tricky League fixture
at Burley.
Burley played with the slope in the first half, but once again Otliensians
came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders with Tom O'Donnell winning a
line out on the opposition 22, transferring the ball to Markus Keinhorst to
set the maul in motion, the whole pack drove down the left hand five metre
channell with perfect organisation and the try was scored by srum half David
Smith for the perfect start after only 3 minutes.
The Otliensians pack were dominant throughout the half, with the front row
of Bonner, Hanogue and Richard Smith forcing several Burley props from the
field with their relentless pressure, O'Donnell, Keinhorst, Hill, Grey and
Arbuckle ramaging in the loose, and a well executed maul kept the home team
to minimal chances with the considerable advantage of the slope. The ball
was also been used intelligently by the backs, kicking for position through
Kristian Keinhorst and Will Foster, and strong running in the centres from
Ratahi and Lee O'Donnell, exemplified in the 16th minute when a length of
the field move sweeping from right to left with wings Jon Woods and Nick
Keinhorst prominant was only halted on the line with desparate defence.
The Burley back division was always threatenting with the limited possession
they had, and they used the ball well in the middle and at the end of the
first half, but the improving Otliensians defensive organisation held them
at bay, and it was during this period that Otliensians scored their second
try, beginning with a maul that rumbled 40 metres up field, followed by a
quickly taken penalty that kept the momentum going upfield to a 5 metre
scrum, with Dave Smith picking up at the base and releasing Jon Woods on the
right wing for a score in the corner. The half time score of 10-0 was no
more than the visitors deserved, with the mouth watering prospect of the
slope in the second half.
It didn't take long for Ratahi to score the first try of the second half,
another excellent scrum on the right lead to ball being transferred to the
left where Lee O'Donnell made the break and released Nick Keinhorst who drew
his man with the inside pass to Ratahi, Foster converted and the lead was
17-0 after 51 minutes. Burley restarted and second row Markus Keinhorst took
the ball from the kick off, evaded the first two defenders, side stepped the
third and burst through the middle, before chipping over the defence,
regathering and scoring under the posts - wow, with Foster converting the
lead was 24-0 in the 53rd minute.
Burley were still giving their all, they had fantastic discipline and even
though they were struggling against the dominant Otliensians maul they
played the game to both the spirit and letter of the laws, never trying to
dangerously pull it down, and this was a credit to their sportsmanship and
commitment. But the day was to be Otliensians with further dynamic
combinations of forwards and backs and good execution of the basics leading
to tries for Ratahi after 61 minutes and Jon Woods after 66 minutes,
converted by David Smith and Foster respectively for a 38-0 lead.
Burley then showed their tenacity with 5 minutes of intense pressure, lead
by their incisive backs, who moved the ball with aplomb and stretched the
Otliensians defence on both sides of the field, before been rewarded with
the last play of the game where they intercepted the ball on half way and
went in under the posts for a well deserved score.
This was a complete performance for all the squad, and once again sets the
standards of performance that this Otliensians team is capable of.
Report supplied by the coach, Gary Walker.
Old Otliensians 2nd XV 67 pts v Leeds
Corinthians 0 pts 
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With Burley 2nd XV a late backword the Leeds
side offered to come to Chaffers Fields. Neil Barlow resumed his stand off
role and the home side were soon on the score sheet with a well struck
Barlow penalty. Otliensians began to win ball from all phases and scrum
half Ben Newall was first to open the try account. Soon after No 8 Matt
Taylor picked up at a scrum and made 40 m before Centre Andy Hayward
completed . The back row notched up another try this time from Richard
Freeman who burst onto the ball at speed to crash over after some good
handling . Direct from the kick -off prop Tom Twist set up a maul , the
ball quickly swung along the line for centre Sean Kennedy to score after
supporting a run by wing Michael Philpott. Philpott scored soon after
following another slick handling move.The next try followed a good turn
over by prop Tony Myers at a maul, Taylor making a strong run to score
from 35 m. The final try before the break came from Wing Richard Cuff who
completely outpaced the opposition after another flowing move from the
home side.With Barlow converting five of the eight tries Otliensians had a
very comfortable 48- 0 pts lead at half time.
The pace slowed a little
in the second half and the visitors came more into the game. However,
Ensians were soon on the score sheet with a try from fullback Jason Babb
following a pick up and drive by Tom Twist which went to Philpott who fed
Babb on the burst. Barlow scored next after supporting a strong run by
Philpott and the final try came from Alan Harker after some goods
interplay by both forwards and backs. Barlow converted two tries in the
second half giving him a personal tally of 22 pts.
Thanks go to referees Roy
Aldridge who did this came and to Derek Smith who refereed at Cross Green
for their patience as games had to be re- arranged several times during
the preceeding week as the fixtures changed.
Report supplied by Adrian Normanton.
OTLEY VISCOUNTS 5 - OLD OTLIENSIANS B
52
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After their original
opposition cried off, ‘Ensians were fortunate to find a fixture against
old rivals, the Viscounts. The visiting side were strengthened by the
return of experienced scrum half Tim Swann playing his first game after a
serious injury. His partner at fly half was newcomer Aiden Carr formerly
of Roundhegians.
From the start, ‘Ensians moved the ball wide and centres Jim McDougall and
Sam Grey drove hard into Otley territory. The home side ventured offside
and Andy Wood kicked the penalty to put the visitors 3 points up. The
‘Ensians pack with the front row of Chris Myers, Ben Tetley and Scott
Child had the edge on their bigger opponents in the scrum and, with the
excellent service from Swann, a sweeping move from the backs saw Sam Grey
go over after good handling by Carr, McDougall and winger Dan Garnett. The
conversion by Wood gave the visitors a 10 point lead after 15 minutes.
Otley were still very much in the game and their pack put together some
powerful drives which tested the visitor’s defence. The back row of John
Broadbent, Alan Garnett and Chris Howells had their work cut out to defend
their line and behind them was ever-dependable full back Sean Flesher. A
good clearance by Carr took play into the home 22 and Tim Swann showed
pace when he nipped down the blind side to score a fine try.
Good backing-up and interplay between forwards and backs saw two further
tries by Alan Garnett, after a good run from Sean Flesher, and McDougall,
who blitzed his way through in familiar style. With the conversion
attempts failing, ‘Ensians had a healthy 25 – 0 lead at the break.
In the second period, Tom McDougall deputised for brother Jim at centre
and youngster Liam Copping took one wing berth with veteran Peter Tempest
taking over the other. The injured Broadbent was replaced by Chris
Hayward. The re-arranged team settled down quickly and strong bursts from
lock Andy Wood saw his partner Mark Copping on hand to go over near the
posts, Wood adding the conversion.
In the lineouts, ‘Ensians struggled to get clean ball against good lifting
by Viscounts, but in the loose Alan Garnett and his pack swarmed all over
the opposition at every opportunity. Good backing up and his use of
unmarked space saw lock Andy Wood go over for two tries in a five-minute
period of domination to take the score to 42 – 0 after 60 minutes.
The Otley pack adopted the ploy of playing three props in their front row
and suddenly, ‘Ensians found themselves with untidy ball from the scrums.
After a good drive, Viscounts found space wide out and went in for a
well-deserved try after 70 minutes.
The visitors then roused themselves and slick handling produced two
further tries for Carr and Grey to leave the final score at 52 – 5. The’
Ensians half back pair of Swann and Carr gave their backs extra room to
perform, but credit must go to Viscounts for their battling performance
right to the end.
Report supplied by John Harrison
On Saturday the 1st
and 3rd XVs entertain Old Modernians at Chaffers Field whilst the 2nd XV
are at Modernians, all kick offs at 3:00pm
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