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Thornensians 37pts vs OORUFC 1st XV 5pts

Putting the disappointment of the previous week behind them, the visitors started this game in a positive mood taking the game to the opposition from the kick-off. A series of rolling mauls saw their pack forcing their way into the home 22, but being unable to cross the try line. With half backs Aiden Carr and John Ratahi opening play out at every opportunity, an excellent cross-field movement saw Sam Featherstone make good progress down the wing. When he saw he way blocked, he slipped a perfect pass inside to Michael Philpott who was backing up to take the pass and crash over for the opening try to take a 5 – 0 lead on 25 minutes.

The home side began to come more into the game and full back Kristian Keinhorst was called to work hard in defence along with wingers Sam Featherstone and Anthony Ball. A good break by a Thorne centre resulted in a converted try on 33 minutes and this was further increased by a successful penalty shortly before half time to stretch the lead to 10 – 5 to the home side.

The pressure which the hosts had begun to assert before the break through their strong pack became more evident as the second half progressed. There were a number of fractious incidents and two home players were yellow-carded, but ‘Ensians were unable to take advantage of their numerical superiority. Sam Gray produced good ball in the lineout and locks Alan Harker and James Findlay foraged hard against bigger opposition. The problem was that progress by the visitors was too often halted by Thornensians turning ball over and mounting counter-attacks.

Although the game remained competitive, the home side ran in five more tries of which four were from breakaways to make the final tally 37 – 5. This somewhat flattered them as the visitors were competitive for prolonged periods. The final score did not truly reflect the effort put in by ‘Ensians who were very much in the game a half time, but then allowed things to slip away by conceding turnovers and failing to re-group quickly enough in defence.
 

OORUFC 2ndXV 37 pts vs Thornensians 2ndXV 0pts 

 
click the Pic for more photos

Losing two players to the 1^st XV did not alter the vigour with which ‘Ensians A launched a series of attacks from the off against their South Yorkshire visitors. The pack led the way with the front row of Michael Groves, Ben Tetley and Tony Myers dominating proceedings from the start 

Good interplay between forwards and backs put lock Peter Bonner over and then Steve Grundy jinked his way through for another good try to give the hosts a 10 – 0 advantage at the break. Thornensians were very much in the game for long periods, but the solid defence from centres Grundy and Andy Hayward and full back Sean Flesher kept them out.  

 In the lineout No.8 Alan Garnett and flanker Dale Kennedy commanded their own ball and also nicked some of the oppositions’. Scrum half Ben Smith scored two well-crafted tries and Steven Grundy’s ability to beat his man landed him two more to complete a well-deserved hat-trick. Matt Tenniswood converted two tries and kicked a penalty. The final score of 37 – 0 came about through sound defence and good offloading by both forwards and backs.

OORUFC 3rdXV 5 pts vs Harrogate Pirates 40 pts

Beardo, Corgi & Iron Man, the 3rd team back in action
click the Pic for more photos
 

Ensians put out a 3^rd XV for the first time this season and despite the score the game was enjoyable with much excellent back play especially from Harrogate Pirates.

Harrogate started in a lively fashion but good tackling by Ensians held them at bay with the help of numerous telling kicks from David Smith. However the speed of the Pirates’ backs proved too much and they scored a converted Try on 10 minutes. 

 There followed an attractive period of play with both teams contributing to the action. ‘Ensians were continuing to defend stoutly and the forwards were more than holding their own in the scrums, rucks and mauls and performing well in the lineouts. Unfortunately the Pirates’ backs were well drilled, ‘their handling was excellent and they were very fast giving Ensians no chance once a break had been made. 

 They scored 3 more tries 2 of which were converted to increase their score to 26 –0 .However just before half time the forwards produced some good ball and Peter Tempest and David Smith combined well for Smith to score an unconverted try to make a half time score of 26 to 5.

 In the second half the Pirates scored 2 more converted tries to make a final result ‘Ensians 3^rd 5 Harrogate Pirates 40. To their credit the Ensians worked hard throughout the game and never let their heads drop. The club was indebted to Harrogate for providing a referee at the last minute who did his part in providing an attractive game played in a good spirit 

appleyr@btconnect.com