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Old Otliensians 2nd XV 76pts v Hemsworth 2nd XV 7 pts 

Hemsworth arrived with thirteen players , borrowed two from Otliensians but were unable to put together a front row and so for the second week running uncontested scrums were the order of the day.

Playing with the strong wind which made for tricky handling the home side attacked frrom the outset and centre Andy Bower scored after only three minutes. The back row of Richard Freeman at no 7, Lance Howells at no 8  and Joe Robinson  at blind side were soon on the rampage and Freeman scored after 15 minutes. Wing  Michael Philpott added a try after 20 mins and   Darren Cooley continued his good scoring form and  crossed to score on 30 mins. Freeman scored his second try after 35 mins and immediatley after Cooley also ran in his second try. Full back Mattie Tenniswood  converted four of the tries to give the Ensians a 38 - 0 pts lead at half time.

Playing into the wind in after the break Richard Cuff  ran in a long distance try after 5 mins and Freeman completed his hat trick shortly after. On 55 mins centre Andy Hayward who was having an excellent game scored and straight after the restart Philpott notched his second try.

 Hemsworth began to come a little more into the game and used the wind well and won some good ball from the mauls. The scored a converted try after 65 mins and were unfortunate to get over the Otliensians line a further twice but were not able to ground the ball.Mattie Tenniswood scored the final try for the home side after 70 mins and a further four conversions  in the second half crowned a good game. For Otliensians Simon Hill in the second row played well as did prop Tony Myers in the loose  and Andy Carr provided a good service at scrum half.

 Another good performance from the second team and all credit to Hemsworth for their attitude and good spirit.

 

OLD OTLIENSIANS B 0 - HARROGATE PIRATES 12

For the visit of old foes Pirates, ‘Ensians found themselves without a scrum half and experienced flanker Dan Ridgeway stepped up to fill the gap. From the outset, both sides moved the ball wide, but centres Sam Grey and Steve Lofthouse found it hard going against a strong defence.

In his unfamiliar role, Dan Ridgeway provided a good service to fly half Ian Chaplin who tested the opposition with long searching kicks. In the lineouts, Alan Garnett and Sam Tetley provided good quality ball, but, although ‘Ensians pressured the Pirates’ line on several occasions, there was no way through.

In the scrums, the front row of Dave Beardsley, Ben Tetley and Chris Myers more than held its own against bigger opponents and in the loose, locks Andy Wood and Mark Copping put in some powerful drives. Dan Ridgeway made some telling forays round the scrums with the back row of Sam Tetley, Alan Garnett and Chris Howells providing strong support.

As well as defending resolutely, the speedy Harrogate backs caused problems in attack and on one occasion, when a try looked certain, winger Dan Garnett put in a splendid tackle to stop the move. As half time approached, although both sides had chances, neither managed to breach their opponents’ defence leaving the score at 0 – 0.

Adam Mudd and Steve Robinson came on in the second half for Chris Myers and Ben Tetley and both sides continued to attack through forwards and backs. In one spell early on, ‘Ensians camped on the Harrogate line with first Copping and then Mudd coming close, but Pirates defence held firm. Chaplin made a good break, but the cover was there to stifle another chance.

With the match still scoreless after seventy minutes, a draw looked likely, but the Harrogate backs finally got away and their winger went in at the corner. With the conversion failing, ‘Esians attacked from deep through Ian Chaplin who fed Andy Wood. The lock set off on a 50 yard rampaging run taking play into the Harrogate half. Robinson and Mudd were up in support, but the visitors managed to scramble the ball into touch.

As the home side began to feels the effects against bigger opposition, Pirates set up another back move which brought a score under the posts. The conversion made the score 12 – 0 to the visitors as the final whistle went.

This was an enjoyable match in which wholehearted defence by both sides stood out with ‘Ensians showing excellent spirit against well-drilled and experienced opponents.

On Saturday the 1st are at home to Leeds Corinthians at Chaffers Fields whilst the 3rd XV entertain Morley 4th.
 

appleyr@bigfoot.com