Ensians on the attack
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On a cold damp day, ‘Ensians convincingly overcame local rivals Knaresborough and, in doing so, reached the Club’s second highest points total ever against a side struggling at the foot of the League. The visitors turned up two players short which meant initially scrums were uncontested until the hosts graciously loaned the opposition two players to enable scrums to be contested.

After early exchanges in midfield, ‘Ensians quickly got into their stride with fast-flowing moves sparked by half-backs Harry Bentley and Ollie Eaves. Spreading the ball wide put winger Connor Bateman over in the corner on 3 minutes with the same player converting.

With the visitors rarely getting out of their own half, six minutes later, flying winger Will Howarth shot over for the first try of his hat-trick, followed on 13 minutes with centre Luke Cowdell powering his way through under the posts.

After this, although the visitors battled valiantly throughout, they struggled to cope with the pace and power of the hosts and more tries came at regular intervals from Will Howarth, Ollie Eaves (2), Will Cooper, Luke Garnett and Harry Bentley. This resulted in the score at the break reaching 57 – 0. Conversions came from Connor Bateman (5) and Harry Bentley (1).

In the second half, with their scrummaging holding up well, ‘Boro managed to put together some promising back moves, but none really threatened the home side’s solid defence.

‘Ensians continued to move the ball well at every opportunity with good inter-play between forwards and backs, as the visitors’ defence struggled to cope. The outcome was another seven tries to the home side from Cowdell, Ryan “Macca” McAllorum, (2), Lewis Platt, Bateman, Howarth and Cooper. Jake Bentley added the extras with seven impressive conversions.

This was a comprehensive victory with a fine exhibition of open play by ‘Ensians, but credit must also go to Knaresborough who, despite travelling with a weakened side, produced a spirited performance throughout.

Photos by John Eaves

Yorkshire 4, week 12
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