Ethan Heede wins the race to the corner
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Otliensians had another away fixture last Saturday, at York Railway Institute RUFC. Currently in third place, and with eight consecutive wins, Ensians’ mission was clear; a win and ideally a bonus point.

Centre, Jake Bentley, opened the scoring with a simple penalty kick from a high tackle just 5 minutes into the game. Otliensians were totally focussed on making their mark early, and the direction of play was one way for the first quarter.

Fifteen minutes in, speedy winger Will Howarth scored his first of 4 tries. Sadly the conversion from the corner, too much to ask of Bentley’s right boot. 8:0

New mobile prop, Drew Stephenson made a wonderful debut, and drove play back into the home sides half from the restart. Ensians second try came just moments later, when Harry Gillson ripped the ball off the oncoming York player.

The ball was neatly distributed down the back line, culminating in a successful race to the corner for diving winger Ethan Heede.
Again the conversion attempt was adrift. 13:0

Half way through the first half RI rallied, and enjoyed some good possession, but were denied a try, due to the excellent tackling from Craig Nicholson and captain Sam Featherstone, who jointly managed to hold the player up, and stop the grounding. York, frustrated, by this missed opportunity started to loose their composure. Making long panicked passes and not keeping their attacking line in order.

This lack of control was soon used against them. With a scrum on the halfway line, nr 8 Sam Featherstone picked up and charged forward, drawing three men. He off loaded to Will Cooper, who in turn passed out to Will Howarth. With only inches of space, Howarth danced past his opposite winger managing to keep in field to score in the corner.
This time the breeze was in Otliensians favour, and Bentley made his second successful kick at goal. 20:0

Minutes into the second half Otliensians increased their lead, with another quick pick up at the back of the scrum from Featherstone. Just ten metres out he popped the ball into the path of fly half, Ollie Eaves. Eaves managed to stretch out of the tackle and successfully ground the try. A simple conversion followed by Bentley taking the score to 27:0.

For the next ten minutes Ensians took their ‘foot off the gas’ and let York back into the game. A try under the posts for York’s fly half, following a clever chip over, and a favourable bounce, gave York hope of changing the current trajectory. 27:7

York continued to hammer play back into Ensians half, with fresh zeal, but any serious progress was hindered by excellent tackling from Harry Wales and Noel Gillson.

With their sights focussed solely on attack, York let their guard slip again, and gave Will Howarth just the space he needed to break away. From inside his own twenty two, he carved through three men to score under the posts, making Bentleys conversion a formality. 34:7

With only ten minutes left of the game, York were well beaten, and started to wane. A long kick from Will Cooper for Howarth to chase, took play close to Yorks try line again. Howarth managed to gather the ball, but with 3 players marking him this time, there was no way through. Luckily support was close at hand from hooker Craig Nichols. Despite being wrapped up by two York players, Nichols managed to pass the ball out of the tackle to replacement flanker, Lewis Platt, who charged over to score under the posts. Again the conversion a formality for Bentley. 41:7

Buoyed with his recent try, Platt gathered the ball from the restart, passed out to prop Drew Stephenson and out to Howarth on the wing. Howarth again had just enough space to hit full speed by the half way line. There was no chance the defence could catch him. Howarth sealed the game with the seventh and last try of the match and his personal fourth. With a successful conversion from Jake Bentley the game finished at 48 points to 7.

Although Otliensians’ mission was accomplished, both Halifax and Rotherham’s opposition failed to turn out a side, meaning both teams received the maximum 5 points in a HWO, leaving the table positions unchanged from last week.

Photos John Eaves, words Ben Ritson.

Yorkshire 4, week 18
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