Fierce defending from Medics on Declan Jackson
Click the pic for more photos

Last weekend Otliensians travelled to Lawnswood to take on Leeds University’s Medics & Dentist RUFC, also known as LMD.

LMD often have a checkered season, with results depending on player availability and term dates, but when they have a full squad they are one of the best teams in the league, and were certainly the toughest opposition ‘Ensians have faced this season.

From the kick off the home team were taken by surprise, by winger, Will Howarth's acceleration, as he darted down the left wing to score a try converted by Jake Bentley.

The home team would be on full alert from now on, and came back strong, driving play down field. They recycled well and eventually broke the defensive line, to level the score at 7:7, on the 10 minute mark.

Every time the tourist made gains they were balanced by LMD’s counter attack. They were excellent in the breakdown turning over many isolated players, and forcing several penalties. This gave their diminutive fly half the opportunity to take play back into attacking positions.

If the ball wasn’t kicked out, ‘Ensians made sure to counter. Fly half, Jake Bentley gathered one such loose ball, and made an individual foray down field. Cleverly drawing the on-coming opposition, before passing out to Will Howarth. Still with two men to beat, Howarth side stepped one and ran through the other, to score his second converted try. This seven point cushion, didn’t last long with two consecutive penalties, kicked by LMD’s fly half. Now with only a one point lead, one man on a yellow card, and a referee only too happy to 'reach into his pocket', ‘Ensians needed to play it safe until half time, and calm the game down. The home side knew the 10 minute advantage shouldn’t be squandered, and used the gap in Ensians back line to kick into space. LMD's backs were quickly on the ball, but rather than gather the ‘bobbling ball’ and risk being tackled, their outside centre cleverly dribbled the ball towards the goal line, for the winger to score. With a successful conversion, Otliensians found themselves seven points down at half time.

After the restart, with a full 15 again, and probably some stern words from Captain Sam Featherstone, 'Ensians reemerged focussed, and pinned LMD in their own half. Eventually the pressure resulted in, this seasons leading try scorer, Declan Jackson powering over for a try in the far left corner. Unconverted, but taking the deficit back to 1 point again. Play quickly resumed and Ensians drove back downfield. In a scramble for the ball Jackson pulled his hamstring and stayed down in pain. Sadly the ref' let play go on, and instead of playing it safe, while a key player lies injured, Ensians foolishly passed the ball down an overextended back line. The long lofted pass was easily anticipated by the home sides' speedy winger, and an interception try resulted. Unopposed, the ball placed under the posts for an easy conversion, taking the score to 27:19 in the home sides favour.

Otliensians knew if they were to remain at the top of the table, they had to turn up the heat for the last 15 minutes, and they certainly did. Moments from the restart centre Ollie Eaves took a quick line out, with a long pass to Jake Bentley. Bentley skilfully weaved his way through the centre of the field, eventually passing out to Howarth. With very little space, Howarth skirted down the touch line with inches to spare, to score his third try and secure the bonus point. It seemed the 'tide was turning' in ‘Ensians favour, when, this time, the home side lost a player to a yellow card. After a solid scrum and a well practiced back move, Jake Bentley hit the line at pace, and cut through LMDs defences to score and convert. With only a four point lead, Otliensians needed to tread carefully in the remaining minutes, and give nothing away. Unfortunately the home side couldn’t keep their cool and conceded two penalties, that Bentley happily kicked to increase the lead to 10 points and secure the win.

The score closing at 27:37.

Yorkshire 4 League
Click the pic for more photos