OLD OTLIENSIANS 1st XV 13 pts v
OLD MODERNIANS 1st XV 6 pts
John makes the final pass that puts Rob in for
the winning try
see more photos here
This was a game strewn with
mistakes on both sides with Ensians lacking their usual crucial share of
possession and cohesion.
'Mods converted two long penalties in the first half through their accurate
inside centre and led 6-0 pts at the break, with the 'Ensians not coming
near a score.
The home side did, however, open the second period with greater
determination and began to dominate. Right winger Jon Woods, came close to
breaking through the Mods defences on two occasions with excellent probing
runs but just being felled a few yards short of the line on each occasion.
The 'Ensians drew level with two fine distance penalties by skipper Will
Foster and in the last quarter, back row Rob Grey made the all important
break through with the only try of the match, duly converted by Foster.
With some crucial changes necessary, the 'Ensians were bound to lack their
normal cohesion but there were essential contributions made by Tim Rushfirth
in his unusual scrum half role, later substituted through injury by newcomer
Aidan Carr, neither of whom let the side down.
Mention should also be made of Prop Dave Beardsley who stepped up from the
3rd team squad at the last moment due to the late unavailability of another
player, and played his heart out.
OLD MODERNIANS 2nd XV 0pts v OLD
OTLIENSIANS 2nd XV 28 pts
Playing down the slope, in
the first period the home side soon announced their intention was to kick
for position and hopefully score points with Otliensians penned deep in
their own half. However, Otliensians won good ball in all phases of the game
which, together with some excellent defensive kept the Modernians side at
bay and they also managed to break-out on occasions but could not score.
In the second half the position was completely reversed with stand-off Neil
Barlow kicking well for position and a good all round performance by the
forwards against a big pack saw Otliensians well on top with the home side
rarely penetrating the Otliensians' half. The Otliensians backs ran well and
tries came at fairly regular intervals in the second half. Tillio Lesciotti
at scrum half, ran from his own 10 mtr line to score whilst Joe Firth in the
back row burst through from 20 mtrs to score after some good team work. Andy
Hayward in the centre added two tries after some excellent handling moves
and Barlow converted all four scores.
This was a good team effort with Joe Robinson and Andy Bower, this week in
the second row, putting in some notable tackles.
OLD OTLIENSIANS 3rd XV 11 PTS V OLD
MODERNIANS 3rd XV 29 pts
see more photos here
The visitors announced
early in the week that due to a shortage of front row forwards, scrums would
have to be uncontested but in fact this was not the case for the first half
and the Modernians' side held up pretty well in the front row. Otliensians
played poorly in the first half, being very slow to start and Modernians
scored four tries, one of which was converted, their fast student backs
making good use of any open space.
In the second half the Otliensians effort improved markedly with some good
forward play, particularly in the rucks. Will Haynes kicked two penalty
goals for Otliensians and Steve Lofthouse went over for a try which was not
converted. Peter Tempest was held up over the line and if this try had been
scored, Otliensians would have closed the gap to 18-22 pts but this was not
to be and Modernians scored a break-away try near the end of the game.
This was a good team effort by Otliensians in the second half. |