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OLD OTLIENSIANS 2NDS vs OLD BRODLIANS
Otliensians 2ndXV too strong for Old Brodlians,
10/10/2009
click on the pic for more pictures
YORKS 4THS 43 – OLD OTLIENSIANS 3RDS 0
Due to last-minute backwords, ‘Ensians
travelled to York with only twelve players, but York generously loaned three
players to make up a full side. York had a big and very experienced pack,
but the visitors’ front row of Dave Beardsley, James Kear and Phil Cook
stood up to them well in the scrums. Territorially, ‘Ensians had the best of
the early exchanges, but once York moved the ball wide their speedy backs
caused problems.
For the first fifteen minutes the visiting forwards battled hard to control
the game with lock Alan Harker gaining good lineout ball, but then the
lively York backs started getting quick ball and they ran in two tries which
were converted. Harker and fellow lock Peter Bonner put in some good drives,
but the problem was that every time the ball went loose, the opposition
centres were away and two more converted tries were scored leading up to the
break to take the score to 28 – 0.
Soon after the re-start, winger Ian Robinson had to leave the field with a
leg injury and with a man down, ‘Ensians’ problems in defence increased.
Half backs Peter Tempest and Dave Smith worked well together in both attack
and defence, but they struggled against resolute tackling from the York back
row. Young full-back Josh Howarth has a busy afternoon, but he acquitted
himself well with some good try-saving tackles and he was ably supported by
centre Steve Lofthouse and winger Tom Broadbent.
Considering they were a man down, ‘Ensians defence generally held up well,
but as holes began to appear, the hosts were able to run in three more tries
wide out which went unconverted. ‘Ensians put York under pressure on many
occasions through good forward play with flanker Dave Cheeseman and No.8
Derek Mott coming close. A downside throughout the game was that the home
referee allowed some totally uncalled for late tackles to go unpunished and
Alan Harker was on the receiving end of a particularly vicious hit.
Overall, ‘Ensians probably held their own territorially, but the good
interplay by the York forwards and pacey backs proved more than their
defence could deal with. Full credit must go to the visitors who played with
tremendous spirit throughout against a fast and experienced side with the
final score of 43 – 0 somewhat flattering the home side.
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