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Knaresborough 8 pts vs OLD OTLIENSIANS 1stXV 52 pts
Otliensians travelled to Knaresborough on
Saturday knowing that a victory would put them on the cusp of promotion, and
they once again gave a superb display of running rugby, even more impressive
because of the inclement conditions of wind and driving rain.
The game started in usual style with Otliensians imposing their ever more
efficient patterns of play on to the home side, and they were rewarded with
the first score after 12 minutes when a line out was won on their own 22
metre line, excellent hands from Duggan, Arbuckle, Markus Keinhorst and
Birch swept the ball upfield for Nick Keinhorst to once again show his
finishing prowess, Foster added the conversion. After 17 minutes the home
side landed a long range penalty but the die was cast, and Markus Keinhorst
immediately scored following a drive from Bonner and good pick up by Duggan
from the subsequent scrum. On 24 minutes Lee O'Donnell scored Otliensians
100th try of the campaign and with Kristian Keinhorst converting the 19-3
half time lead was secured.
The second half started in the same vain, with Lyons scoring from a driving
5 metre scrum after 48 minutes, Foster adding the extras and a period of
Otliensians pressure reaped further dividends when Lyons once again made
inroads for Rob Grey to score for the 31-3 lead. Tom Woods, Hill, Bonner and
Arbuckle were making the hard yards, supported by Duggan and Hanogue who
were winning the tussle in the loose, and with Birch and Foster controlling
the game behind the scrum Otliensians were in full swing against the hard
pressed Knaresborough defenders who performed manfully to the end.
Ratahi ran an excellent line to the posts after 59 minutes leaving the
Knaresborough backs in his wake and Foster converted to extend the lead to
38-3, when at this point the trademark Otliensians gift horse once again
opened its mouth with dropped pass after dropped pass leaving the home side
to kick through and win the chase to the line. The last 10 minutes saw
Otliensians score their 7th and 8th tries through Lyons and Nick Keinhorst,
leaving Foster to take the team through another 50 point performance, a
deserved 2 points and the enticing prospect of securing promotion with
another 1 point needed from the last 10 for mathematical certainty.
Ripon
8 pts vs OLD OTLIENSIANS 2ndXV 17 pts
waiting for a report
OLD OTLIENSIANS 3rdXV 17 pts vs Aireborough
19 pts
see all the 3rd team photos here
For this local derby, ‘Ensians had experienced
Peter Tempest at scrum half and lock Andy Wood deputising at fly half. The
home side dominated proceedings in the early stages, but against the run of
play, Aireborough scored a try to put them 7 points in front with the
conversion. The hosts responded at once with a well-constructed back move
which put winger Tom Broadbent over in the corner. The conversion failed.
Play remained even until Otliensians produced a good driving maul on half
way. Flanker Alan Harker broke away and made ground before releasing to
Peter Tempest who dived over near the posts. The conversion from Wood put
the home side in front by 12 points to 7. As half time approached good
backing up by the visitors produced a fine try to level the scores.
In the second period, ‘Ensians lost prop Steve Robinson and flanker Sam
Tetley through injury and they were replaced by Ray Drake and Chris Howells.
Both sides struggled to get on top, but the visitors nudged ahead with a
converted try to give them a 19 – 12 lead with ten minutes remaining.
With a re-arranged ‘Ensians pack, their supply of quality ball wavered and
good defence by Aireborough made progress difficult. Eventually, slick
interplay between the home sides’ forwards and backs saw strong-running
centre Sam Grey go over wide out. Sadly, the conversion missed to leave the
final score at 17 – 19 in the visitors’ favour.
As always in meetings with their neighbours, Aireborough, the game was
played in an excellent spirit by two evenly matched sides.
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