OORUFC Match Report
1st March 2025
OORUFC 86 vs 5 Thirsk
Ensians secure promotion into Yorkshire 2 with a bonus point win
Last Saturday Otliensians welcomed, bottom of the league, Thirsk RUFC to Chaffers field.
A bonus point win would secure the Otley side promotion into Yorkshire division two. Basking in the spring sunshine the home crowd were buoyant. Having beaten Thirsk back in November by thirty points, they thought this would be a ‘walk in the park’.
With a new coach, a couple of new players, and a hunger to avoid demotion, from the whistle Thirsk set off with an intensity that would surely be short lived. Winning a turnover ball just 3 minutes in, Thirsk worked their way down the left wing. Four phases later their powerful second row dived over to score. The conversion not to be, but this early set back shocked the home squad and reminded them of the task in hand.
From the restart Ensians quickly responded with a try in the corner from young fullback Sydney Dojahn-Wood. This opening try for the blues marked the start of a barrage of pressure that would last the remaining seventy five minutes. Every time Ensians had the ball they looked dangerous; running everything and giving little away. Despite excellent tackling Thirsk just couldn’t hold Ensians back and another thirteen tries would be scored. Eight of which were converted by Jake Bentley, but this isn't a report for the ‘glory boys’ who usually get the credit, it’s for the workers on the ‘coal face’, who’s determination and physicality ground down the opposition, drive by drive, tackle by tackle; giving the ‘clean kneed’ backs the space to shine.
Young hooker Alex Gillson was on fine form, chasing every restart kick and forcing errors from the catcher. His big brother Noel at open side flanker making a nuisance of himself all game. Supporters would be forgiven thinking there were two Noels on the pitch as he seemed to be in two places at once. Mikey Groves also looked comfortable in the front row along side Captain Luke Exley, ensuring a stable platform upfront.
We also saw real skill from flanker Corey Gowan when he set up Rob Lofthouse to score. Sensing somebody would be in support, he stepped into the tackle and popped the ball to the left for Lofty to gather. Second rows Jay Walsh and player of the match Nathan Jones were always on hand to drive play several metres forward and take in two or three men.
All in all a fantastic team performance, and promotion to Yorkshire two is well deserved.
Next week Otliensians face third place Wheatley Hills at home. A big game for both teams; for Ensians a win would crown them league champions, for Hills an away win could see them in the promotion zone. With the backdrop of a players reunion and a second team fixture it has the makings of a fantastic day.
Ben Ritson