OLD OTLIENSIANS 41pts vs Burley
14pts
more photos here
For the first time in a long time Otliensians
were asked to play with the elements in the first half and made full use of
this, going in to the half time break with a healthy 27-0 lead, started in
the 6th minute with a try by Hill, after an excellent charge by Arbuckle,
continued by Birch with a deft chip that Hill gatherted and went over for
the customary early try, Fosters difficult conversion hit the upright. The
pattern continued on 9 minutes when the whole pack contributed to a series
of punishing pick and drives, allowing Foster to set boff on a mazy 50 metre
run, expertly drawing the fullback for the supporting Markus Keinhorst to
score at the posts, Foster adding the extras.
Continued Otliensians pressure lead to a Foster penalty after 17 minutes,
and then followed a period of play where the Otliensians approach play was
exemplary, but the final phases were executed poorly and 4 or 5 try scoring
opportunities were squandered. But following this period of sustained
pressure Arbuckle crahed over in the right hand corner after 35 minutes, and
in the 39th, Birch took a quick tap on his own 22, to release Nick Keinhorst
on a 45 metre dash, the ball was recycled quickly, for Nick Keinhorst to
complete the excellent try at the posts, Foster once again converting in the
difficult conditions for the 27-0 half time lead.
Burley had performed mannfully in the first half, but must have had a tinge
of regret for choosing not to use the elements in the first half, however
they had a glimmer of hope on 42 minutes when another Otliensians handling
error let them ponce for the easy score. This spurred the home side in to an
immediate response, when they attacked with good hands from the 22 to
release Markus Keinhorst from the half way line to gleefully out pace the
pursuers to the posts for another Foster conversion after 44 minutes.
A period of midfield play with neither side in the ascendancy ensued until
the 59th minute, when again the Otliensians as a team attacked from their
22, a slick midfield move opened the space, for Kristian Keinhorst to
cleverly chip through for his brother Nick Keinhorst to pick up sublimely
for the try, Foster once again adding the extras.
Burley came back in to the game and were rewarded for their endeavours with
a well executed try on 80 minutes, but the final score of 41-14 although
satisfactory, could have been a lot more.
Report supplied by Gary Walker.
OLD OTLIENSIANS B 46pts vs YORK RI B 29pts
Scott flops over for 5 points
more photos here
Having beaten York
away earlier in the season, ‘Ensians were keen to complete the double and
the inclusion of experienced scrum half Darren Hall added to the pre-match
optimism. From the start, it was clear that the visitors were no walk-over,
with some big forwards and a massive player at fly half.
For the first 20 minutes both sides moved the ball wide at every opportunity
and home half backs Hall and Ian Chaplin got their backs moving with some
thrusting runs by centres Richard Freeman and Steve Lofthouse. A good move
across the backs saw winger Dan Garnett sprint in at the corner and Chaplin
added a superb conversion.
The visitors responded at once and took play into the ‘Ensians 22 where good
backing up produced a converted try under the posts to level the scores. On
28 minutes, a surging run by centre Richard Freeman saw him clear and he put
the home side in front at 12 – 7 with a fine try. The ‘Ensians front row of
Adam Mudd, Ben Tetley and Scott Child had the edge on their bigger opponents
and both backs and forwards combined to put flanker Sam Tetley over wide
out. In the lineouts, Alan Garnett was also producing quality ball.
‘Ensians were in rampant mood now and good drives by Mudd and locks Andy
Wood and Ray Drake immediately took play into the visitors’ 22 where number
8 Garnett was on hand to dive over. An excellent conversion by Chaplin
lifted the score to 24 – 7 to the home side. Four minutes later a shrewd
kick into the corner by Ian Chaplin saw winger Darren Hamilton dive over for
the fifth try to make the half time score 29 – 7 to the home side.
York came out fighting after the break and their big forwards produced some
fine drives to set up a good try for their fly half under the posts. Almost
straight from the re-start York moved the ball wide and good backing up saw
their winger go over in the corner to push the score to 29 – 19 on 55
minutes.
‘Ensians realised they still had a lot to do and buckled down to some good
foraging by the back row of Sam Tetley, Alan Garnett and Richard Paley. York
infringed and Chaplin kicked the points to move the score to 32 – 19. At
this stage, York lost another player through injury and, in the absence of
any substitutes, Richard Paley generously volunteered to play for the
opposition leaving the home side with 14 players and York with 13.
‘Ensians continued to move the ball wide with scrum half Darren Hall always
to the fore and fullback Sean Flesher was unlucky to be stopped just short
of the line. However, another score soon followed when centre Freeman used
his pace to score in the corner. Again, Chaplin added the points to make the
score 39 – 19 with 10 minutes remaining. York were far from finished and a
series of good drives by their pack forced a try half way out.
The response by ‘Ensians was immediate and a good series of rucks saw
powerful prop Scott Child battle his way over for his first try in fourteen
years. Chaplin again converted and the match ended with York scoring the
last try to make the final score 46 – 29 to the home side.
This free-flowing game was played in a good spirit and ‘Ensians’ success was
down to their lively pack and a sound display by the backs.
Report supplied by John
Harrison. On a personal note I would like to
extend my thanks to the customers and staff of the Bay Horse. I idiotically
left my camera bag in the Bay Horse on Saturday night, because of the
honesty of some of the regulars, Vernon and his staff I was able to collect
my bag on Sunday morning with no loss to my ego or bank balance.
Thank you, to all concerned. Roy.
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