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Leeds Corinthians 31 pts vs Old Otliensians 22 pts
Old Otliensian 3rdXV 17 pts vs Otley 19 pts
Liam scores a great try after some deft
footwork in the centres
More photos here!
OLD OTLIENSIANS B 17 - OTLEY VISCOUNTS 19
For the final game of the season, ‘Ensians
faced their local rivals on a cold grey afternoon. As always, Otley fielded
a big pack and, from the outset, the home side struggled to obtain clean
ball from the scrums. This placed pressure on half backs Peter Gilson and
Richard Gill who were troubled by the visitors’ back row. Both sides
attempted to move the ball wide and play was fairly even until 15 minutes
when Otley crossed for a converted try.
The lineouts tended to go with the throw and with Alan Garnett obtaining
clean ball for the home side, they hit back 3 minutes later when good
handling by centres Sam Grey and Liam Copping put young winger Tom Broadbent
over in the corner. Although the conversion failed, ‘Ensians were now on the
attack and on 26 minutes centre Liam Copping showed pace as he sliced
through to put his side in front. The conversion by Gilson gave the home
side a 12 – 7 lead which remained the position up to the break.
In the second period, ‘Ensians carried on where they left off with both
forwards and backs making inroads into Viscounts’ territory, locks Andy Wood
and Mark Copping carried well and, after a series of powerful drives, prop
Chris Howells crashed over wide out. With no conversion, this lifted the
score to 17 – 7 in favour of the home side after 47 minutes.
At this stage, ‘Ensians made several changes to give those on the bench a
run and this had an unsettling effect on their patterns of play. As the big
Otley forwards exerted pressure, play became scrappy and on 50 minutes, good
support play by their backs produced a converted try to push the score to 17
– 14.
Both sides continued to play open attacking rugby, but it was the Viscounts
with cleaner possession who gradually developed an edge. The home back row
led by skipper Alan Garnett tackled well, as did scrum half Gilson, but they
were unable to prevent a good try by the visiting centre. The conversion
gave Otley a 19 – 17 lead on 68 minutes.
The remainder of the match saw both sides come close, but, with ‘Ensians
struggling to cope with the big Otley forwards, the crucial score to snatch
the lead back never came. After a spirited performance by the home side,
this narrow defeat brought a slightly disappointing end to what has been an
enjoyable and successful season for the B team under skipper Alan Garnett.
In last weeks’ Aire/Wharfe Cup semi final, ‘Ensians defeated last
season’s winners, Ilkley A, 16 - 11 with a rousing performance. ‘Ensians are
now at home to local rivals Aireborough in the final on Thursday, 24th
April, kick off 6.30 pm.
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