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Niz's mid year review 2007/2008
Under the guidance of Coach Gary Walker,
Otliensians have had a good start to the season , improving on last years
performances at all levels and importantly attracting new players.
The 1st XV are currently in second place in Yorkshire League Four , 7pts
behind unbeaten leaders Hessle but with two games in hand. Hessle defeated
Otliensians at Hessle early in the season and the only other points dropped
were drawing away at Garforth, who the Ensians play at Chaffers Fields this
coming Saturday 5th January. The team is having an excellent run in the RFU
EDF Junior Vase and is due to play at home to Castleford who lead Yorkshire
League Three on 12th January in the 6th round tie which is down to the last
32 Clubs. The team has played some good rugby and showed a strong desire to
win as demonstrated at Northallerton two weeks ago when the side were
without several regular players. Leading points scorer is Captain Will
Foster with 137 pts; 62 tries have been scored by 18 players with wing Jon
Woods on 7 tries and back row Rob Arbuckle with 6 tries. In the League the
team has scored 252 pts with 112 pts against.
For the 2nd XV the Merit Table was completely revised, the 2nd XV no longer
playing primarily the 2nd XV's of the Clubs in the 1st XV League.
Unfortunately the initial reorganisation omitted Otliensians and this was
rectified too late for a full Merit list to be set up for the 2nd XV; in
addition the Merit Table has been changed into a League. The team has won
the three League games played and in total has won 13 of the 14 games played
scoring 682 pts with 95 pts against. They have played some really good
attacking rugby and at this level have a strength in depth with 103 tries
scored by 24 players. Leading points scorer is stand off Neil Barlow with
117 points; wing Dan Cooley has scored 15 tries and centre Andy Hayward 13
tries.
The 3rd XV have also improved winning five of their thirteen games compared
with winning six games all last season. They have scored 218 pts with 265
pts against including 37 tries from 25 players compared with 45 tries during
2006/07. Leading scorers are Mark Copping and Andy Wood with three tries
each. The team has been helped on occasions by the appearance of some more
experienced older players which has helped give closer contests in some of
the more difficult games.
Team Managers Brian Webster ( 1st XV ) Roger Whitworth ( 2nd XV ) assisted
by Dave Beardsley and John Harrison ( 3rd XV ) have done an excellent job as
have the teams organised by John Churchman to provide after match cups of
tea and travel with the teams and the ladies who serve the players teas.
A special thank you to Derek Smith and Roy Aldridge for refereeing the 2nd
and 3rd XV often at short notice as well as to the other referees provided
by the Yorkshire Society, in particular Mike Ramsden and John Fisher who
organise the officials for the North Yorkshire Area. |
