OORUFC Match Report
28th September 2024
OORUFC 24 vs Halifax 41
Otliensians succumb to old foes Halifax
Last Saturday Otliensians faced their most challenging opponent yet this season, in the form of Halifax rufc.
Those who follow the club, will recall Halifax won the coveted promotion spot in the 2022/23 season, narrowly defeating Ensians, in a bone crunching season finale at Ovenden Park.
Having not met since, the home fans knew this would be a big match, especially with a depleted squad. As expected Halifax turned up ready for action. Before the match their well organised squad warmed up on the second team pitch, displaying their size and fitness to the onlooking home team.
Moments from the kick off, the home team pushed deep into Halifax’s half and prop George Martin used his strength to crash through their defences to score. Sam Longfellow adding the extras gave Halifax ‘something to think about’. Minutes into the game we were reminded of Halifax’s upright ‘man and ball’ tackling style. This plagued the game, and resulted in a number of injuries, really testing the depths of Ensians squad.
Halifax quickly responded with two tries courtesy of their wingers. With only one converted, on 15 minutes the scoreline read 7:12
Despite many young players having to really ‘step up’, Ensians tried to take every opportunity and run everything. A penalty inside their ‘22 might normally have been sent into touch, but Sam Longfellow knew the only way to compete was to try and out pace them. Passing out to Matt Peaty in the centre to lead the charge. Peaty took play up to the halfway line, before second row Jay Walsh took over, smashing his way forward. Eventually speed merchant Will Howarth found himself in possession and cruised into the corner to score Ensians second converted try. Giving the home side the lead for the last time in the match.
Just when the home fans were thinking things were looking pretty close, Ensians took their eye off the ball, allowing a looping pass to be intercepted by Halifax’s peroxide haired, rambunctious centre, who took great delight in waving his arm in the air like a cowboy on a bucking bronco as he crossed the line.
Towards the end of the half with three key players injured on the side line, cracks started to develop in Ensians usually unwavering zeal.
Halifax capitalised on this, and piled on the pressure at every opportunity. With a line out 10m from Ensians try line, Halifax spun the ball down the line and bashed through the home sides defences to score their forth try. A missed conversion gave ‘Fax a 10 point lead.
Moments before half time whistle, Ensians scrum half Rob Lofthouse was brought to ground with a dangerous tackle and sadly left the field, as did their ‘yellow carded’ flanker. Sam Longfellow kicked the penalty, adding the extra three points to close the half at 17:24
From the restart Halifax kicked deep. Ensians attempted to clear from the try line, but ‘Fax were up quickly and charged down the kick. They gathered the loose ball, recycled quickly and passed out to the backs who broke through to score under the posts, extending their lead to 14 points.
A converted try and a penalty kick followed, as apathy gripped the home team. With a 24 point deficit, and several players now on the side line, ‘Ensians needed a spark to rekindle their ambitions.
After spending almost 10 minutes camped in front of Halifax’s try line, eventually the home team were rewarded with a try from Matt Peaty, converted by Sam Longfellow to close the game at 24:41.
Despite the high tackles and the number of penalties conceded, Halifax turned up with a mission and they executed it in their usual style.