OORUFC Match Report
25th November 2023
OORUFC 59 vs 3 Aireborough
Ensians give one of their best displays this season
Will Howarth dives for the line
Click the pic for more photos
The teams, having met in the league a couple of weeks ago, played again in a Yorkshire Vase 1st Round Cup game at Chaffer's Field,on a calm, dry but very cold afternoon.
The first 10 minutes were pretty even until an attack by the visitors gave them the lead with a penalty goal.
Five minutes later the Home team were awarded a penalty in the Aire 22. They kicked to touch and from the resulting lineout drove over for a try by Skipper Sam Featherstone; improved by a superb conversion by Luke Cowdell.
Play became static until a clearance kick by the visitors gifted speedy Will Howarth an unconverted try despite having time to recover from an ankle tap tackle.
'Ensians were playing fine open rugby although the visitors defended really well. The intense pressure told with two further tries before half time by Luke Cowdell and Eithan Heede the second converted by Luke Cowdell making the half time score of 24-3.
The second half opened with a fine move by the home team. Eithan Heede made ground on the right wing and then the ball crossed along the backs for Luke Cowdell to score a try and also add the extras.
Both teams then enjoyed a period of entertaining rugby involving good moves across the backs ably supported by the forwards. The defences held firm until the 25th minute when Nathan Jones darted over for his maiden 'Ensian try duly converted by Luke Cowdell.
With superb open play, and despite good defence, once Jake Bentley joined the action, there were three more tries to come from 'Ensians two by Jake Bentley himself and one by Will Howarth, with Luke Cowdell converting all three to give him a personal tally of 24 points and a final score of 59 points to 3.
Aireborough to their great credit never gave up but had the bad luck of meeting a team giving their best display of the season. Both teams played attractive rugby in a game well refereed and enjoyed by both teams and spectators alike.
John Churchman
