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OLD OTLIENSIANS 1stXV 19pts vs Aireborough
27pts
strong tackling in the early stages from
the 1stXV
more photos!
AIREBOROUGH A 33 pts - OLD
OTLIENSIANS 2ndXV 10 pts
‘Ensians started this local derby
facing a gale-force wind and quickly found themselves under pressure from a
series of high kicks. The back three of Sam Tetley, Matt Tenniswood and
Steve Lofthouse generally coped well with the bombardment, but play was
confined to the visitors 22. A spilled ball by the home side enabled
‘Ensians centres Sam Grey and Sean Kennedy to move the ball deep into
Aireborough territory. When the home side transgressed, full back Matt
Tenniswood gave the visitors a 3 – 0 lead after 7 minutes.
Aireborough came straight back and camped in the visitors’ 22, where, after
a series of rucks, quick ball saw the home winger go over in the corner for
a good try on 12 minutes. The failed conversion gave the home side a slender
5 – 3 lead. Aireborough continued to press with some good handling by
forwards and backs, but good defence by ‘Ensians back row of Andy Hayward,
Ben Smith and Ben Tetley snuffed out many attacks. Whenever the ball went
loose, half backs Peter Gilson and Phil Purnell were quick to use their
backs and after a good break by Kennedy, Sam Grey went over only to be
called back for a forward pass.
The home side continued to use the wind to gain territory and from a ruck on
the visitors’ 22, their fly half dropped a neat goal on 36 minutes to
stretch the lead to 8 – 3. ‘Ensians continued to attack, but, as half time
approached, a spilled ball produced a massive kick from Aireborough which
was fielded in front of the posts by the ‘Ensians’ winger. With no support,
he was quickly overwhelmed by three chasing Aireborough backs and a
converted try followed on 38 minutes, taking the score to 15 – 3.
After the break, Tom Twist came on in the pack and Hayward moved to the wing
in place of the injured Sam Tetley. With the elements in their favour, it
was now ‘Ensians turn to exert pressure and a scrum five yards out nearly
produced a push over try. A mix-up in defence saw the loose ball bobbing
about before No.8 Ben Smith snapped it up to go over half way out. A good
conversion by Tenniswood took the score to 15 – 10 to the home side on 42
minutes. This seemed to spur Aireborough on and their pack produced a series
of drives which gave their half backs chance to gain ground with astute
kicks. The ‘Ensians’ front row of Scott Child, Steve Robinson and Ben Newell
were obtaining good ball from the scrums, but the lineouts were untidy for
both sides due to the blustery conditions.
Despite the wind, Aireborough were making regular incursions into the
visitors’ half and a crafty chip over and follow-up produced an important
try and conversion on 52 minutes to extend the lead to 22 – 10. ‘Ensians
tried to use the wind to gain ground, but the home defence coped well and
frustration by the visitors produced a series of penalties which Aireborough
used to good effect. One was converted on 60 minutes and then good handling
by the home backs produced a try in the corner. The conversion failed, but
this gave Aireborough a comfortable lead of 30 – 10 on 70 minutes. ‘Ensians
rallied with good drives by Smith and locks Andy Wood and Chris Howells, but
steady defence and indifferent handling made little impression on a
now-confident home side. An infringement in the visitors’ 22 allowed
Aireborough to kick another penalty to take the final score to 33 – 10.
This was an enthusiastic performance by both sides in difficult conditions
and Aireborough came out on top due to a stirring all-round performance
against the elements in the second half which gradually knocked ‘Ensians off
their stride.
OLD OTLIENSIANS 3rdXV 26pts vs Aireborough
0 pts
An early score for the 3rdXV
Against local rivals Aireborough, ‘Ensians
picked Jan Pavlovski, a Polish builder working at the local Sainsbury’s
site, in the second row. Jan has played a few games of rugby in Poland, but
this was his first taste of rugby in England. The visitors had the best of
the early exchanges with their big forwards putting in some good drives, but
in the set scrums, the home front row of Dave Beardsley, Andy Rockett and
Chris Myers had the edge. Gradually the ‘Ensians half backs Tim Swann and
Will Haines came more into the game and when centres Simon Coxon and Hugh
Gumbs made good ground, re-cycled ball moved to the forwards where Pavlovski
crashed over for his debut try. The conversion by Haines gave ‘Ensians a 7 –
0 lead after 15 minutes.
With Alan Garnett and Robin Devereaux gaining quality lineout possession,
the home side gradually gained the ascendancy and good drives by flankers
Jim McDougall and Devereaux took play up to the visitors’ line. From a set
scrum, ‘Ensians produced a big shove and No.8 Alan Garnett touched down on
25 minutes with Haines again converting and lifting the score to 14 – 0.
Aireborough were by no means a spent force and they camped in the home half
for long periods. The difference was that when the home side got their hands
on the ball, Haines and Gumbs drove the visitors back with huge searching
kicks to regain territory.
As half time approached, slick hands by Coxon set young winger Liam Copping
on a 40 yard run to outpace the cover and go over in the corner. The
conversion failed giving the home side a 19 – 0 lead at the break. In the
second period, it was very much Aireborough for long spells as they tried to
get back into the game. Swann and Haines were always there to tidy up and
Sean Flesher at full back had to make some last-ditch tackles. Centre Gumbs,
despite his years and his predilection for un-social hours, put in a series
of solid tackles to snuff out several promising Aireborough attacks. Lee
Paley replaced Beardsley in the front row and veteran Derek Mott came on for
Devereaux at flanker.
Both sides endeavoured to play open rugby in a blustery wind and, although
Aireborough came close on several occasions, they could not breach the solid
defence. Just when it looked like stalemate in the second half, winger Liam
Copping scooped up a loose ball and weaved his way over from 30 yards for
his second try with the conversion by Haines taking the final score to 26 –
0.
This was an entertaining game played in an excellent spirit and credit must
go both sides
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