Connor Paley makes a break
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Despite a few key players missing from the previous weeks team, Otliensians dominated the first twenty minutes, keeping the tourists pinned in their own half. Unlucky not to score after such an unabated attack. Eventually ‘ensians secured the first points of the game, from a somewhat unorthodox penalty in the visitors ’22. The first kick at goal was missed, but the over eager Mosborough backs charged too early, forcing a second penalty. This gave Connor Bateman a second chance. This time he ‘nailed it’ through the middle of the posts.

The 3 point deficit railed the visitors, and for the next 15 minutes they drove ‘ensians back into their own half. Valiant tackling by Kieren Walker, Harry Gilson, and Paddy Phipps kept the onslaught under control. Ross Nichols even injuring himself while saving a pushover try. In spite of this sterling defence, Mosborough eventually found a gap, and scored a well deserved try. A simple conversion followed taking the score to 3:7. This was soon to be followed by another 3 points for the visitors, as a result of poor discipline, from a frustrated home team.

The ebb and flow continued in the second half, with the two sides well matched. Both scrums holding firm. Perhaps the advantage could have come from the home sides pacy wingers, but they really didn’t see enough of the ball. The break through for Otliensians came when stocky centre, Connor Paley, broke through the oppositions defenses and bustled his way over the try line. Bateman kept his calm and converted to level the scores at 10:10.

A very tense final 15 minutes followed with both sides desperate for the win. In the last moments ‘ensians could have secured a win with a long distance penalty kick, but it wasn’t to be.

The reality of a small squad, highlights how results can change very easily from one week to the next. Please come along and support next weeks game at Knaresborough RUFC. 3pm KO

Ben Ritson