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OLD OTLIENSIANS 13 – ROTHERHAM PHOENIX 24
In this first encounter with a side recently
promoted, ‘Ensians knew that they would have to pull out all the stops to
stem the tide of recent setbacks. They got off to a good start when full
back Kristian Keinhorst landed a penalty from 35 yards to give the hosts a
3 – 0 lead on 3 minutes.
The visiting pack then showed its mettle by forcing a lineout near the
home line following a long downfield kick. The catch and drive produced a
try for the visitors on 6 minutes and with the conversion, they took a 7 –
3 lead on 7 minutes.
‘Ensians went into the attack through good lineout ball from locks Sam
Gray and James Findlay. They pressured the Rotherham defence through
centres Dominic Oddy and Carlos Hassan. The home backs made good ground,
but a hefty tackle affected an offload allowing the Phoenix winger to
intercept and race 70 yards to the line. The conversion stretched the
visitors’ lead to 14 – 3 on 12 minutes.
In the scrum, the home side’s pack had all on coping with the bigger
opposition, but the front row of Tony Myers, Collum Hanogue and Ross Myers
managed to command their own ball. Both sides were spreading the ball wide
and an accurate kick ahead by ‘Ensians’ centre Dominic Oddy saw No.8 Rob
Arbuckle following up to nail the catcher. The loose ball was snapped up
by winger Michael Philpott who ran 30 yards to score in the corner on 24
minutes. The conversion attempt narrowly failed leaving the score at 14 –
8 to Rotherham.
Just when it seemed the home side’s fortunes were in the ascendancy, a
missed tackle allowed the visitors backs to attack from deep catching the
cover in disarray with a try under the posts, stretching the Rotherham
lead to 21 – 8 on 35 minutes.
The response from the hosts was immediate with half backs Tim Rushfirth
and John Ratahi working well with centres Hassan and Oddy. Quickly
re-cycled ball saw Ratahi make a fine break, he offloaded to Michael
Philpott and was then on hand to take the return pass to go over in the
corner making the half time score 21 – 13 to the visitors.
After the break, ‘Ensians set about the visitors with more vigour and
locks James Findlay and Sam Gray foraged well against their robust
opponents with the back row of Lee O’Donnell, Rob Arbuckle and Tom Dyson
always in support. However, Rotherham were always a threat and when the
home side strayed offside, they converted a penalty to move the score to
24 – 13 in their favour.
Centre Hassan went off with a leg injury on 60 minutes with flanker
O’Donnell moving into the backs and Alan Harker coming on into the pack.
Territorially, ‘Ensians were well on top, but the defence held out.
Kickable penalties were spurned for kicks to the corner, but mistakes
occurred, transgressions were penalised and Rotherham were let off the
hook.
Skipper Rob Arbuckle went off with a shoulder injury on 68 minutes and
James Kear filled the gap in the pack. The home side continued to play
enterprising rugby, but the crucial scores to alter the outcome did not
come leaving the final score at 24 – 13.
This was a spirited performance by ‘Ensians against a decent side, but
again occasional lapses and failure to snatch opportunities cost them
dearly in the end.
OLD OTLIENSIANS 3rdXV 37pts vs SELBY 5th
XV 0pts
‘Ensians travelled to Selby for an
entertaining match winning 37-0 and scoring 7 tries.
The early exchanges were even, but on 20 mins after good work by No.8 Alan
Garnett and lock Mark Copping, the ball sped across the backs for winger
Tom Broadbent to dive over in the corner.
On 25 minutes, after a great break by Sean Kennedy, Copping barged over
for a try converted by Matt Tenniswood. ‘Ensians now gained confidence and
scored 3 more tries before half time by Sean Kennedy, Nick Keinhorst and
Dale Kennedy giving a half time score of 27—0.
The 2nd half started in similar style with young lock Ross Nicholls, who
was having a fine game, barging over for a try.The pack was playing well
gaining ball against the head through the front row of Dave Beardsley,
Steve Pollard and Peter Bonner. Alan Garnett and Dominic Birkin were
outstanding in the lineout. Richard Crossley and Tenniswood had developed
a good understanding at half back giving the backs plenty of scoring
opportunities. However Selby defended stoutly and there was only one
further score, an excellent try by winger Steve Lofthouse after a superb
back play.
Selby came close spending 10 minutes in the Ensians 22, but good defending
kept them out leaving a final score at 37—0, rewarding the visitors for an
open and enterprising display.
The ‘Ensians 2nd XV game at home to Castleford 3rds was called off when
Castleford could not raise a side to travel.
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