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OTLIENSIANS 1st XV 21 pts - SHEFFIELD OAKS 16 pts
See a Slideshow of photos taken at this
game
After last weeks mystery had finally been
solved, with Wetherby defeating the league leaders Hullensians on Saturday,
making Ensians joint top, the conundrum still remains of how the team can
perform sublimely in the opening minutes of a game, then abjectly for the
majority of the rest, maybe we will receive the answer to this puzzle over
the coming weeks.
In galeforce winds and storm conditions, Ensians decided to utilise the
elements in the first half, and scored the perfect try within a minute,
three pick and drives penetrating the defence, excellent running by Birch,
creating the space for the backs to work Foster over, who also added the
conversion. Immediately from the kick off the same pattern of play, for Jon
Woods to take the final inside pass for Foster to again add the extras, 14 -
0 with less than 4 minutes elapsed, this was finally going to be the day.
Unfortunately as the weather deteriorated, so did the Ensians discipline,
shape and patterns of play, with Sheffield deservedly coming back in to the
game with a penalty. The slog continued, with neither side gaining the upper
hand, until at the very end of the half, Ensians forced play up field and
set themselves for a scrum some 8 metres out, the ball was hooked
beautifully to Arbuckle at No 8., who controlled in slippery conditions for
the pack to force the pushover, Foster again converting for a 21 - 3 half
time lead.
As the second half began, unlike earlier the Ensians were down to 14 men
within a minute as Cook was sin binned, Sheffield used the elements
intelligently, and with their numerical advantage scored a converted forward
oriented try and penalty to close the gap to 21 - 13 before the Ensians were
back to a full complement.
It was now becoming difficult to see the play, as the rain drove with
increasing intensity in to the faces of the Ensians players, but there was
enough light to witness skipper Smith been dispatched to the sin bin, with
Sheffield again using their advantage to close the gap to 21 - 16.
And so it finished, what had started out as a perfect performance for 4
minutes, ended with a perfect two points, and a perfect result at Wetherby,
but will the conundrum of the total perfect performance ever be solved.
OTLIENSIANS 2nd XV 5 pts - Morley 2nd XV 7
pts
See a Slideshow of photos from this game
This Merit table came was played in an almost
continuous downpour with rain sweeping across the field. After last weeks
good show by the team as a whole and the promising combinations developing
in the backs, a better day would have helped.
With Darren Hall pulling a muscle in the warm - up, Sean Kennedy went to
scrum half and worked effectively with stand off Phil Purnell. James Kear
struck well at hooker and Brett Tennniswood won a good supply of line out
ball. Rucks and mauls were also effective but there was a marked reluctance
to drop on the ball on the floor.
Ensians took a try lead in the first half but missed the conversion whilst
Morley managed to convert their try. The last quarter of the game was one of
lost opportunities for Otliensians. They exerted tremendous pressure on
Morley but could not produce a play to score a try. However, Tony Myers who
had come on at prop after the break had a try disallowed and two balls were
dropped over the line. Joe Robinson playing this week at flanker had another
good game.
On Saturday the 1st XV entertain Leeds Corinthians in a re arranged League
game. The 2nd XV are scheduled to host Wharfedale 4th XV and the 3rd are
away at Harrogate Pirates. Kick offs are at 2:15
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