Old Otliensians 1stXV 43 pts vs Leeds
Corinthians 5 pts
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Despite the heavy frost, ‘Ensians’ well-grassed pitch was always likely to
be playable and on a cold sunny afternoon, the home side with seven tries
pulled off their biggest win of the season after a shaky start. Despite
their lowly league position, the visitors competed well from the off and
were unlucky to hit the posts with a penalty after ten minutes. The hosts
had a good share of the ball with locks Sam Gray and Steve Wade doing well
in the lineouts and flankers Tom Dyson and Dale Kennedy turning over
several balls in the loose.
Half backs Ieuan Cranswick and Kristian Keinhorst managed to get their
backs moving, but too often laboured passing or hanging on too long
brought moves to a halt and, with Corinthians being fairly solid in the
scrums, they were able to mount several attacks through their useful
backs. After a good break out wide by home winger Michael Philpott, Rob
Arbuckle went over, but the move came to nothing due to a foot in touch.
However, as play remained evenly balanced the lively ‘Ensians pack
produced good ruck ball for Sam Gray to link up and take the offload to
score halfway out, the conversion by Keinhorst gave the home side a 7 – 0
advantage at half time.
After the break, the hosts began to settle and good play by centres Nathan
Rogers and Lee O’Donnell took play into the visitors’ 22. After several
close calls, fly half Kristian Keinhorst stepped his way past two
defenders to score under the posts and his conversion stretched the lead
to 14 – 0 on 50 minutes.
The Leeds side were far from finished and they pushed deep into the
‘Ensians’ half where a careless pass was intercepted to allow their centre
to canter in for an unconverted try, narrowing the margin the 14 – 5 on 55
minutes. Replacement home full back Declan Jackson linked up and made a
spectacular 70 yard run up to the Corinthians’ line, but his glory was
spoiled by a last-ditch tackle.
By now, the home side were putting together some good phases of rugby and
their front row of Tom Twist, Rob Lyon and Ross Myers began to dominate
the scrums. Winger Josh Howarth rounded his man and ran in from 50 yards
followed by another try from flanker Dale Kennedy to take the score to 24
– 5 on 70 minutes. As the home side’s fitness advantage began to tell,
prop Toby Barltrop and lively lock Steve Wade went over and two
conversions by Keinhorst moved the score to 38 – 5 to the hosts.
The scoring was rounded off with a glorious try by No.8 Rob Arbuckle who
fended off two would-be tackles to gallop in from fifty yards to make the
final score 43 – 5 to the home side. Credit must go to Corinthians who
competed valiantly for 60 minutes, but then fell away as ‘Ensians’
superior pace and fitness took their toll.
‘Ensians 2nd XV pulled off a 27 – 7 Merit away win against neighbours
Aireborough.
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