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OORUFC 12 pts vs York RI 25 pts

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On a windy and wet afternoon Ensians played against the strong wind in the first half.Ensians were pushed back into their own 22 for the first 10 minutes but held out York’s attacks. On 12 minutes following the tackle of the game by Andy Haywood, Sam Gray made a telling break from his own half. The ball passed to Nick Keinhorst on the wing who beat his man and kicked on. Debutant scrum half Robert Lofthouse chased and won the race to score a great try between the posts converted by Kristian Keinhorst giving ‘Ensians a 7-0 lead.  

Sam Gray and Lee O’Donnell were getting good lineout ball and the visitors were held centre field for much of the next 15 minutes due to the forwards putting in some sterling work supported by good tackling all round. However on 25 minutes slack tackling put York in for an unconverted try wide out followed by a similar converted try 10 minutes later. Just on half time York scored a penalty goal making a score of 15—7 to York. 

However all was not lost as Ensians had the benefit of the strong wind in the second half. They attacked from the whistle and after good work by the forwards scrum half Robert Lofthouse, who was having a fine game, off-loaded to Collum Hanogue who dived over for an unconverted try to move the score to 15 – 12 to the visitors.  

Ensians continued to attack but the wind was taken out of their sails when two players were sin-binned in quick succession. The 13 men defended valiantly but conceded a good try by York which made the score 20—12. York RI were on top for the last 10 minutes and scored a further late try to gain a deserved win, but with a rather flattering score of 25-12. 

‘Ensians performed well in patches, but indiscipline at crucial moments allowed York RI to take control.
 

 YORK RI A 10 - OLD OTLIENSIANS A 13

Due to a last minute backword ‘Ensians arrived at York one player short, but in true second team spirit the opposition loaned a winger from the six players on their bench. Down the slope against a big side, the visitors moved the ball well and centre Dale Kennedy made a slicing run with his first touch of the ball. The hosts had a big pack, but the front row of Rob Lyon, James Kear and Michael Groves managed to hold control their own ball.

Half backs Richard Crossley and Matt Tenniswood used good lineout ball from Alan Garnett and Brett Tenniswood to launch a series of attacks and pin York in their own half. On 25 minutes the hosts transgressed and Matt Tenniswood converted the penalty to establish a 3 – 0 lead.

After lock Mark Copping had to go off with a nasty cut on his ear, the home side generously loaned a forward to fill the gap. York’s powerful pack were now making ground with some powerful rolling mauls and re-cycled ball gave them a try wide out to produce a slender 5 – 3 advantage at the break.

Up the slope in the second half, ‘Ensians opened out play at every opportunity. Centres Kennedy and Dominic Birkin and wingers Tom Spence and Ben Tetley all had good runs. Visiting full back Sean Flesher fielded a long kick and linked up with loaned forward Jordan Sykes, Richard Crossley took the offload, drew his man and passed to the ubiquitous Brett Tenniswood who galloped in from 20 yards. The failed conversion restored an 8 – 5 lead to the visitors.

RI hit back with some robust forward play and quick ball along the line produced a try to put them once more in the lead at 10 – 8 on 63 minutes. Hooker Ben Tetley playing on the wing took a telling pass from Crossley to put him away on a 50 yard run up the touchline. As the cover came across, he lobbed the ball in-field only for it to be knocked on.

‘Ensians continued to press and when Dale Kennedy received a pass in the York 22, he evaded two would-be tacklers and then blasted his way to the line with two defenders hanging on. The lead for the visitors was now restored at 13 – 10 on 70 minutes.

Young lock Ross Nichols, props Rob Lyon and Michael Groves and No.8 Andy Bower worked hard with the rest of the pack to hold their heavier opponents for the last ten minutes to produce a well-earned victory. The game was played in an excellent spirit and ‘Ensians came out on top through their lively back play and determined all-round defence. Credit must also go to York RI for sportingly loaning two players from their bench.
 

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