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OLD OTLIENSIANS 1st XV 13 pts v OLD MODERNIANS 1st XV 6 pts

 2007.10.27 Modernians 193
John makes the final pass that puts Rob in for the winning try

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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

 2007.10.27 Modernians 096

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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.

appleyr@bigfoot.com