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OORUFC
17 pts vs Ossett 3 pts
Ensians 1stXV battle the elements and a
heavy Osset pack.
Arbuckle leads Ensians to well earned Victory.
Photos from the game here!
On a bitterly cold day with a gale blowing frequent showers straight down
the pitch ‘Ensians took advantage of the elements in the first half. They
started in fine style taking the ball against the head in the seventh
minute resulting in a try by flanker Lee O’Donnell converted by fly half
Kristian Keinhorst.
Better was to come after 15 minutes when the ball was moved across the
pitch to winger Michael Philpott who scored an unconverted try in the
corner making the score 12 –0 to ‘Ensians. However for the rest of the
half Ossett’s heavy pack took control, winning the ball numerous times
against the head and keeping it tight against the gale. Ensians were
existing on scraps of possession and giving away numerous penalties in
their anxiety to get the ball. One of these was converted by Ossett making
a half time score of 12—3 to ‘Ensians.
The chilled supporters felt that Ossett’s forwards would take control with
the wind in their favour, but this was not the case. Led by the example of
man-of-the-match No. 8 Rob Arbuckle, ‘Ensians kept control of the ball
with forwards and backs grinding the ball into the Ossett 22. When Ossett
gained possession and used the wind to make ground, full back Ben Smith
was there to field the ball to enable the home team to regain the lost
ground. It was Ossett who were now on the back foot giving away penalties
and from one of these debutant lock Steven Wade barged over to score a
well deserved unconverted try taking the score to17—3 in ‘Ensians favour.
For the last 20 minutes the whole of the pack led by “Arby” and supported
by Sam Featherstone ,Tom Dyson, Alan Harker and the front row of Ross
Myers, Rob Lyon and Toby Baltrop worked like Trojans to keep possession in
the Ossett half. The backs also tackled ferociously and, when the
opportunity arose, opened out the ball with Rob Lofthouse and Kristian
Keinhorst working hard. Centre Nathan Rogers created problems for the
Ossett defence giving late running chances to winger Ali Campbell.
This was by far the most spirited performance by ‘Ensians this season and
augers well for the New Year. Credit must be given to the referee for
contributing to an attractive game in difficult conditions.
‘Ensians 2nd XV made it a good day all round when they pulled off a
good 25 – 16 away victory in the Merit Table against Ossett 2nds. Tries
came from Alan Garnett, Ross Nichols, Sean Flesher and Matt Tenniswood
with the latter converting one try and a penalty.
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