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OLD OTLIENSIANS 3rdXV 19pts vs Otley 4thXV
0pts
Liam fights his way into the corner
More photos !
With overnight rain and a steady downpour
throughout the match, ‘Ensians’ pitch stood up remarkably well to the
onslaught against their local rivals. As usual, Otley fielded a big powerful
pack and the first few scrums presented scrum half Peter Tempest with very
untidy ball. Despite the conditions, both sides tried to move the ball with
home centres Andy Hayward and Michael Philpott defending well against Otley
attacks.
Although they had problems in the scrums, Otliensians commanded good
possession from the lineouts through Alan Garnett and Ben Tetley. Locks Andy
Wood and Ray Drake put in some telling drives, but the visitors’ rolling
mauls presented problems for the home defence. Fly half Hugh Gumbs put in
some booming kicks, but the Otley back three coped well. Although both sides
had their chances, it looked as though there would be no score before the
break when the ball was whisked out to young winger Danny Schietaert ten
yards out. Despite being only a yard from the touchline, he beat the cover
and dived low for the corner for the first score on 38 minutes. The
conversion failed and left ‘Ensians with a slender 5 – 0 lead at half time.
For the second period, Brett Tenniswood came on at scrum half and Tom Dyson
at flanker. The home side started at a brisk pace and within two minutes
slick passing sent centre Philpott on a weaving run from half way to cut the
Otley defence in two and score a superb individual try under the posts. The
conversion by Gumbs took the score to 12 – 0. The visitors came back at once
through their robust forwards and their rolling mauls took play deep into
Otliensians’ half. The home back row of Dyson, Garnett and Mark Copping
worked hard to stem these moves and full back Sean Flesher was kept busy
tidying up the many kicks through. Despite their lead, the home side were
far from comfortable as Otley dominated territory for long periods.
Following an infringement, Otley full back Jamie Chappel was just wide with
a penalty.
When ‘Ensians managed to take play into the Otley half, a clearance kick was
gathered by winger Schietaert who set off from half way on a mazy run past
four defenders. He offloaded to scrum half Tenniswood who made good ground
before passing to Alan Garnett who went in under the posts for an excellent
try. The conversion by Gumbs lifted the score to 19 – 0 on 63 minutes. Otley
were far from finished and mounted a series of attacks through both forwards
and backs. When home fly half Gumbs was injured, he was replaced by
Tenniswood who used his trusty boot to good effect in clearing the line.
‘Ensians ran the ball from their own 22 and winger Liam Copping looked to be
away when he was caught from behind as he tried to round full back Chappel.
With the bit between their teeth, Otley then took play right up to the
Otliensians line and for several minutes there were drives which were pulled
down inches short. Eventually, Otliensians managed to scramble the ball away
into touch and the final whistle deprived Otley of a consolation try.
In dreadful conditions, this was a good performance by both sides who
managed to produce some quality rugby in an entertaining and spirited
encounter.
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