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OORUFC 1st XV 56 pts vs Leeds Corinthians 22 pts
see 1stXV photos here
and
see slideshow here
Old Otliensians continued to consolidate their
position in Yorkshire Division 4 with this 9 try demolition of Leeds
Corinthians, in very difficult windy conditions at Chaffers Field.
The home side played against the elements in the first half, and but for
unforced handling errors would have had the game sown up by half time,
instead a 20-17 lead did not do justice to the dominance of the home team,
which was epitomised from the very first minute. Otliensians received the
ball deep in their 22 and produced a sustained 4 minute bout of handling and
recycling skills that would not have looked out out place much further up
the League ladder, which culminated in Arbuckle receiving the try scoring
pass for Foster to convert for the trade mark early score. But like the
Otliensians of old, sometimes the scores seem to come too early in the piece
and there followed a series of unforced handling errors that lead to two
opportunist Corinthians tries, who were ever alert for the spilled ball, and
capitalised ruthlessly for a 17-10 lead on the half hour mark. This seemed
to spur the home side in to positive action again, and from an energy
sapping 25 metre rolling maul, Hill spun from the base and touched down on
32 minutes. Again phase after phase of Otliensians pressure finally told on
the courageous but overworked Corinthians defence and second row Tom Woods
sold two outrageous dummies to score just on half time for the 3 point
interval lead.
Playing with the elements in the second half, the home side were soon on the
attack when a well directed kick and chase from Rushfirth forced the
visitors to touch down for the five metre scrum, they tried to clear their
lines with a kick in to the wind, but this did not get further than the try
line, where Jon Woods rose majestically to gather and score after 44
minutes. It was now the turn of Corinthians to try and run the ball in to
the biting wind, and as Otliensians had found in the first half, errors were
easily made with Foster pouncing on the dropped pass to side step his way
past three defenders for a 30 - 17 lead barely 7 minutes in to the half.
Next it was Ratahi's turn to benefit from the turnover on the home 10 metre
line, when good hands saw Philpott make excellent ground before off loading
for Ratahi to complete the move, and Foster to convert. Scores were now
coming at regular intervals, with no respite for the Corinthians defenders,
this time another 50 metre maul, took play from the home 5 metre line to
just beyond halfway, Birch fed Foster who released Tom O'Donnell who
proceeded to rampage 40 metres to the line, swatting the full back like a
fly in the process. Nicky keinhorst on the left wing was then the recipient
after a fine handling move, from wide right to left from an attacking 5
metre scrum, it was left to O'Donnell again to score the home sides final
try on 70 minutes, when he again left a stream of would be pursuers in his
wake, for Foster to add the extras.
To their great credit Corinthians then had a period of sustained pressure,
and with the last play of the game scored a consolation try wide out on the
right.
There were many excellent features to this Otliensians performance,
particularly the continuity of the whole team, and special mention to
debutant prop Tom Twist, who with Chris Myers performed admirably in the
front row.
Leeds Corinthians 2nd XV 12 pts v Old
Otliensians 2nd XV 15 pts
Playing in a strong cross wind which
contributed to many handling errors and a very scrappy game of rugby , the
home side could not raise a front row so scrums were again uncontested
which probably benefited Corinthians.However such is the confidence of the
young Otliensians 2nd XV at the moment this did not deter them and wing
Darren Cooley soon notched up another try having run half the length of
the field to give the visitors an early lead.Corinthians hit back with a
converted try but a Mattie Tenniswood penalty soon restored the Ensians
lead. Andy Hayward was again playing well in the centre and from a good
change in direction of play he scored for Tenniswood to convert to give
the Ensians a 7 - 15 pts lead at the break. Injured Ben Newall was
replaced by Dave Beardsley in the second half for the Ensians but it was
Corinthians who notched up the only score of the half with an unconverted
try as both sides tried hard in the difficult conditions.
Winning the game was a
bit of a lottery as a different stages the result could have gone either
way but Otliensians stuck to their task , tackled well and won through
sheer honest endeavour.
OORUFC 3rdXV 24 pts vs Morley 4thXV 7 pts
see 3rdXV photos here
and
see slideshow here
For the visit of Morley, ‘Ensians had veteran
scrum half Peter Gilson available to partner Ian Chaplin at fly half. With
the visitors fielding a huge pack, the home front row of Chris Myers, Steve
Robinson and Phil Cook knew that they would have their work cut out in the
scrums. This meant that from the outset, Peter Gilson had to deal with
untidy ball, but his experience saw him through and he gave a good service
to his fly half partner Chaplin to get the backs moving.
For the first 20 minutes, the home side had a big territorial advantage
through strong drives from their pack with Chris Howells, Phil Cook and Andy
Wood to the fore. However, errors occurred when a score looked likely and
Morley were able to re-group and take play into the ‘Ensians 22 area. An
element of confusion in defence saw the visitors score under the posts to
give them a seven point lead against the run of play after 25 minutes.
The home side responded at once with weaving runs from centres Will Haines
and Sam Grey. Morley felt the pressure once more, but a poor final pass let
the opportunity slip. It was up to young winger Liam Copping, son of lock
Mark, to turn the tables when he broke away from loose play to sprint 40
yards before passing to Ian Chaplin who scored a fine try under the posts.
Chaplin’s conversion levelled the score at 7 apiece after 35 minutes and
this position remained until the break.
In the second half, Adam Mudd came on for Myers, Jim McDougal replaced Dan
Garnett in the backs and Ben Tetley came on as hooker. The ‘Ensians pack
then set about their bigger opponents with the back row of Sam Tetley, Alan
Garnett and Chris Howells scavenging any loose ball. With Gilson constantly
sniping round the set pieces, Morley were soon under pressure. A series of
rucks near the line saw lock Mark Copping dive over in the corner. The
failed conversion gave the home side a 12 – 7 lead after 50 minutes.
Morley still had plenty to offer through their robust backs and for lengthy
periods the midfield of Chaplin, Haines and McDougall had to front-up in
defence with full back Sean Flesher always on hand to tidy up. With play
moving from end to end, scrum half Gilson back-flicked a pass to Liam
Copping on the visitors’ 22 and the winger sped round two opponents to score
halfway out. Chaplin’s conversion took the score to 19 – 7 to the home side.
In the last 10 minutes, the younger ‘Ensians side began to have more of an
edge and with Alan Garnett and Sam Tetley providing quality lineout ball,
Morley were once again defending their line. From a ruck came a trademark
Gilson try as he dummied his way over from ten yards, damaging his nose in
the process. The conversion failed and although Morley never gave up,
‘Ensians saw out the last 5 minutes to produce a comfortable 24 – 7 victory.
This was an entertaining game against good opposition and Alan Garnett’s
team came out on top because they tackled superbly and played in the face of
the opposition throughout.
On Saturday , the 1st XV are at home to
Burley in the 5th round of the RFU Junior Vase. A game is being sought for
the 2nd XV as their original opponents Harrogate Pythons have an outstanding
League game to fulfill. The 3rd XV are at Otley 4th.
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