OORUFC Match Report
4th January 2025
Halifax 26 vs 22 OORUFC
Ensians lose to a determined Halifax
For those that recall the last visit to Ovenden park two years ago, in the end of season promotion game, will remember the body strewn pitch at full time, reminiscent of a medieval battle field.
The return match last weekend was to be a similar bone crunching affair. The home side determined to try take Otliensians off the top spot.
From the kick off ‘Fax pinned the visitors in their twenty two, pressurising their favoured north westerly corner. Within minutes they’d bustled their way over for an unconverted try. With only 5 minutes played steam already emanated from Halifax’s ‘revved up’ pack, in the cold January air.
Otliensians came back strong and took play into Halifax’s half. After several changes of possession, mainly due to poor handling, the visitors found themselves with an attacking line out just 10m from Halifax’s line. Ali Campbell jumped well to secure the ball, and with players around him the maul inched forwards. In prime position at the back, nr 8 Jay Walsh sensed the ball was near, and spotted a gap. He charged down the blind side and powered his way through to score. Again the conversion unsuccessful, but the scores levelled at least. This buoyed Ensians spirits; the first time they’d been inside Fax’s twenty two, they’d scored.
The restart was a carbon copy of the kick off, with a long kick to the corner, chased up well by Halifax. With men in numbers Ensians just couldn’t hold them back, and again their forwards broke through for a try. This time the conversion was true, taking the score to 12:5.
Again Halifax brought play straight back with a break through the middle for their centre. Luckily fly half Ollie Eaves was on hand to take down the isolated man, and force the penalty for not releasing. Jake Bentley released the pressure with a long clearance kick into touch. Sadly the line out was won by Halifax, who again romped back downfield. Otliensians tackled well and frustrated their ambitions, much to the umbrage of ‘Fax’s second row who saw ‘red’ and tempers flared. The ensuing melee saw most of the home side charge in for an ungracious display, resulting in 3 red cards; two for them, and one for Ensians.
With minutes left of the half, the away supporters’ frustrations were becoming audible. Ensians were not playing their usual open style of rugby, and were allowing Halifax to dictate the game. Eventually centre Will Cooper spotted their fullback out of position, and sent a long kick into the corner for winger Isaac Gillson to chase. Gillson did exceptionally well to beat his opposite man, and artfully dribbled the ball the extra few yards over the line to touch down and score. Thankfully centre Jake Bentley’s conversion was perfect and closed the half at 12 all.
From the restart we saw the bravery of young replacement scrum half Sydney Wood. Being the smallest and youngest player on the field, he was savvy enough to know the only way to tackle these big players was with precision around the legs, and that’s exactly what he did on several occasions. From the restart ‘Fax cleared for touch giving Ensians a line out on the half way line. The ball quickly spun down the line to Jake Bentley who dummied and broke through the line. He weaved his way 30m downfield, before being tackled. With players in support, the ball was quickly recycled and again passed wide. This time young Sydney Wood, looping back in support at outside centre, split the line and scored an unconverted try in the corner to take the lead for the first time in the match.
This advantage lasted only a matter of minutes, as Halifax’s inside centre set up their winger to score. With a scrum on Ensians twenty two, ‘Fax’s inside centre took play blind and ran through Ensians stunned pack, before passing wide to the wing. Their winger cruised around and under the posts to score. The simple conversion gave Halifax a 19:17 lead.
For the next ten minutes the visitors enjoyed a good phase of play, with flanker Lukey ‘G’ making some impactful runs, and captain Luke Exley holding his own in the scrums. Jake Bentley almost took the lead, but was deemed held up by the referee. Halifax once again lost composure and the ref’ made it clear the next high tackle would be a yellow card. Halifax’s flanker just couldn’t help himself and was soon awarded a yellow card. Luckily the away fans had correctly noted it was his second yellow and ‘politely’ reminded the referee, so it was soon upgraded to a red card. Now with a 2 man advantage and 20 minutes to play surely Otliensians could take the upper hand.
Once again scrum half Sydney Wood took the mantle and broke down the middle, with Bentley close in support. Yet again another high tackle, Ensians continued with the penalty advantage, and Jake Bentley continued the attack to score. The conversion was not to be, but Ensians were back in the lead at 19:22
Frustratingly the visitors were constantly dragged back into the tight forward style of play Halifax favoured. With another two tries squandered by Ensians, the away supporters were baying for the ball to be passed out wide. There was simply no point in trying to run through their powerful forwards.
With ten minutes to go Halifax broke the deadlock and scored a converted try. Their shear tenacity paying off.
With only a four point lead and 10 minutes left on the clock, perhaps there was still enough time for Ensians to capitalise on their two man advantage, and take back the lead. Sadly Ensians persisted with their ‘pick and drive’ style of play and couldn’t break through. They managed to pin the home team to their try line for the remaining minutes of the game, but Halifax’s forwards held firm despite their player deficit, and with great elation took the victory. The closing score 26:22
Having secured the loosing bonus points, despite the loss, Otliensians remain top of the table… for now, but coach Andy Hinchcliffe needs to have some serious words about game management.
Next weeks rematch with third place, Leeds Corinthians, is a must win game to stay on top.
Ben Ritson