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WETHERBY 0 OLD OTLIENSIANS 60
more photos here!
Old Otliensians travelled to Wetherby for the
first round of the National Junior Vase knowing this would be a test of
their development as the same opposition had knocked them out of this Cup at
the same stage last season, they were not to disappoint as they showed why
they finished last season as the Yorkshie Silver Trophy winners with an
emphatic display of 15 man rugby.
Straight from the kick off Otliensians pressured the Wetherby defence,
forcing them in to errors with offensive tackling leading to a 5 metre scrum
after confident approach play from Myers, Bonner and Markus Keinhorst.The
scene was to be set as the Otliensians eight proceeded to shunt the Wetherby
pack over their own line for Arbuckle to touch down after 4 minutes, Foster
was narrowly wide with the kick in the difficult windy conditions.
Otliensians continued their dominance with excellent clearing at the rucks,
executing their patterns efficiently and continually making ground as they
drove in to the Wetherby lines.
A take at the line, where Tom Woods and Tom O'Donnell were disrupting the
Wetherby ball, lead to a concerted 40 metre drive resulting in a further 5
metre scrum, the first was collapsed over the Wetherby line but from the
subsequent penalty Woods powered over for Foster to convert. Philpott was
the next try scorer after 23 minutes following a break by Foster, who was
held on the line, Jon Woods drove over and the supporting Philpott touched
down with the defence in disarray in the in goal area. On 36 minutes a
sweeping 80 metre move involving forwards and backs lead to Jon Woods being
held in the right corner, Otliensians again disrupted Wetherby's line out,
forcing the 5 metre scrum, where Arbuckle once again scored from the
pushover, Foster converting for a 24 - 0 half time lead.
Within 4 minutes of the restart Markus Keinhorst picked up at the base of
the scrum, after another take against the head, and stomed 60 metres up
field, leaving a trail of defenders behind as he scored under the posts, for
Foster to once again add the extras. The front five of Myers, Lyons, Bonner,
Brett Tenniswood and Tom Woods were providing a master class at the set
piece, with the handling of the whole pack setting a high standard in the
loose. Birch at scrum half was now dominating proceedings and the back
division were creating the space for Matt Tenniswood to go over in the 50th
and 54th minute scores to keep the score board ticking over. Otliensians
continued to play their patterns and Wetherby were unable to secure any ball
having to continually defend for long periods, cracking again aftera set
move from the scrum released Jon Woods to score in the right hand corner,
Keinhorst stepped up for an excellent 2 points.
The try of the game was reserved for the 75th minute when Keinhorst again
picked up from No 8 60 metres out, his break was supported by Philpott who
drew the last defenders before releasing Keinhorst for the score and
conversion. Lee O'Donnell in the centre and Rushforth on the left wing had
been prominate all game, creating for their team mates, the impact from the
bench of Paley, Grey and Ratahi was immediate, and with Lyons providing an
excellent link from the forwards, it was left to Birch to provide the chip
that Jon Woods chased to score in the last minute, completing this very
satisfying first display the season.
Harder games await commencing with the league opener away at Hessle next
Saturday.
Report supplied by the coach, Gary Walker.
HARROGATE PIRATES 10 -
OLD OTLEINSIANS A 17
For their first game of the
season, ‘Ensians travelled to play their old foes with a mixture of 2nd and
3rd team players, including veteran centre Simon Coxon making a come-back.
The game started at a fast pace with both sides trying to move the ball wide
with half backs Ben Newell and Will Haines getting their backs moving.
Centres Coxon and Joe Robinson made strong runs, but untidy handling on both
sides caused moves to break down.
In the scrums, the visiting front row of Dave Beardsley, Ross Myers and
Steve Robinson gradually got the edge and took several opposition balls.
With Alan Garnett and Andy Bower proving a steady stream of quality ball
from the lineout, the backs were able to show their paces and pressure
tested the solid home defence.
With both sides evenly matched, it was 35 minutes before No.8 Matt Taylor
picked up from a scrum and broke blind. Ben Newell, up in support, drew the
cover and fed winger Steve Lofthouse who went over in the corner for a fine
try. Ben Newell’s conversion attempt narrowly failed to give ‘Ensians a 5- 0
lead. With half-time seconds away, a good break by the Pirates fly half
produced a try wide out and the teams were level at 5 apiece at the beak.
At half time came the disappointment of uncontested scrums due to
Harrogate’s lack of front row replacements. Tom Twist replaced Dave
Beardsley in the ‘Ensians front row, but, unluckily, after five minutes he
had to leave the field with a knee injury. Although they now had the
advantage of the slope, the visitors found it hard going to make progress
against a tireless Harrogate defence, bolstered by substitutions at half
time. Once again the home backs put together a good move and their speedy
winger went over to give them a 10 – 5 lead after 50 minutes.
A few minutes later the Harrogate centre sent a clearing kick straight into
the hands of winger Darren Cooley who sped past two defenders in a 40-yard
sprint to the line. The failed conversion levelled the scores at 10 all with
20 minutes remaining.
The Harrogate backs always looked dangerous, but good tackling kept them at
bay, with flanker Johnny Saunders, prop Dave Beardsley and full back Sean
Flesher to the fore. Just when a draw seemed the likely outcome, winger
Cooley outpaced his opposite number and fed Andy Bower to score an excellent
try half way out. The conversion by Ben Newell gave ‘Ensians a seven point
lead.
The Pirates came back, but time ran out to give the visitors a fine 17 - 10
win against good opposition. Skipper Will Haines gave a strong lead to his
side in an enjoyable game.
Report
supplied by John Harrison |
