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Old Otliensians 16pts vs Hessle 15pts
Hessle force
over to get themselves back into contention
more photos!
As the long term injury and unavailability
toll has mounted over the season, currently standing at 15 in the first team
squad, it has been a testament to the strength of the Club's playing
resources that even in the last two weeks away defeats at Hullensians and
Goole, the team has performed admirably, and the green shoots of recovery
were there to be seen, with this test against the League leaders showing the
determination that exists.
With Newall, Gray and Howell cementing positions from the lower teams,
stalwart Paley, Robinson returning from University to help the cause,
newcomers like James Tinkwall and regulars playing out of position the
desire and tenacity was evident from the first minute of this encounter,
when Tinkwall raced in to the heart of the Hessle attack and surprised the
strong running centre with a ferocious tackle, which was to set the scene
for the whole afternoon.
After 4 minutes Kristian Keinhorst scored the try, following fine work by
both backs and forwards alike, as he dummied over to the right of the posts,
brother Jimmy adding the extras with a coolly taken conversion. The scrums
were proving extremely resilient with hooker Lyon playing at loose head, and
in the loose Arbuckle lead from the front, ably supported by Hill, Dyson and
Robinson, and pressure was applied all over the field leading to a further
penalty for Jimmy after 17 minutes, following excellent line breaks from
Tinkwall and Cooper, who then had to leave the field to add to the injury
list.
Hessle came back strongly but the defence was firm with Tinkwall again
showing his mettle, and forwards Paley and Howell also shining, but the
large away pack were beginning to make in roads and after 23 minutes they
gained just reward as they sustained an attack on the line for several
minutes before crashing over, reducing the deficit to 10-5.
The Hessle backs were also looking enterprising, but the defence was solid,
and it was again the home backs who made the line break with Ratahi, Jimmy
and Gray prominent in the attack that lead to a further penalty for Jimmy
after 31 minutes to leave the half time score at 13-8.
The second half began by following very much the same pattern, with both
teams showing flair in the backs, and concerted forward exchanges that were
becoming more intense as the game progressed, and it was Hessle who broke
the deadlock after 56 minutes with a well taken penalty, followed almost
immediately by another Jimmy penalty to maintain the 8 point lead at 16-8.
Hessle were not the league leaders for nothing, and they again used their
forwards to begin the attack, with their trademark driving maul, then good
handling from right to left ended with a very well executed try, converted
to cut the lead to a single point at 16-15 after 63 minutes.
However, for the remainder of the game it was Otliensians who were in
control and gaining territory, pressuring the Hessle line, with one notable
break by Newall ending inches short as the home side strove for another
decisive score. In the end it was the excellence of the Otliensians defence
coupled with some inventive attack that proved to be the foundation of this
win, a very solid scrum where Arbuckle made many metres from the base, and a
pride in the Otliensians cause that has been evident throughout this injury
ravaged campaign.
OORUFC 3rd XV vs Old Mods
Gilly
makes a break that leads to a try
more photos!
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