OORUFC Match Report
8th March 2025
OORUFC 38 vs 29 Wheatley Hills
Ensians secure promotion into Yorkshire 2 with a bonus point win
Last Saturday the home supporters at Otliensians enjoyed a great rugby filled afternoon. Initially the vets team welcomed Leo’s second team for an early kick off, followed by the much anticipated 1st XV clash against third placed Wheatley Hills. Desperate to secure the coveted second promotion slot, a win for Hills could see them catch second place Halifax in the closing weeks of the league.
On the stroke of 3pm there was a minute's silence to remember the life of club members Les Ennis and Roy Aldridge. The latter donned both the blue stripes of Ensians and the burgundy and orange hoops of Hills.
From the whistle Hills set off at full pace, determined to make the first impression. They certainly were a much improved squad from the last meeting back in November, and to the frustration of the home fans Wheatley dominated the first 20 minutes of the match, pinning ‘Ensians into their own twenty two much of the time. With a one man advantage due to an early yellow card Hills took the upper hand, managing to secure the first points from a penalty. Otliensians responded well with an attack down field, that almost culminated in a try for Sydney Dojan- Wood; sadly he was dragged into touch just inches from the line. ‘Ensians continued the pressure but handling errors set them back on numerous occasions.
Eventually Ensians settled into their usual open style of rugby, and temporarily eased the nerves of the touch side fans. Another great attacking run from Connor Bateman nineteen minutes in, reminded the tourists of what they were up against. Otliensians had to tackle valiantly to stop the counters from Hills. Young winger Isaac Gillson putting in some big hits, and captain Luke Exley was like a ‘fridge out of a catapult’ when he smashed into Hill’s winger; surely regretting the idea of cutting back inside as he lay dazed and confused.
Handling errors continued to thwart the home team. Things just weren’t falling into place for ‘Ensians, and eventually Hills burly second row was the first to score an unconverted try, increasing their lead to 8 nil on the half hour mark.
Ensians hoped things would start to click soon as they have done so many times this season. With a clean line out from hooker Alex Gillson, just inside Wheatleys half the ball was sent down the back line, and ended up with speed merchant Will Howarth. As usual Howarth didn’t disappoint as he ‘skinned’ his opposite man to score. The conversion a little too testing for Jake Bentley, but the gap was reduced to just 3 points. Play ebbed and flowed in a fierce battle for ground, but the touch side fans sensed Wheatley’s unsustainable tempo was starting to waiver.
Forty minutes in, fly half, and tactician Ollie Eaves sent a long pass missing two players out wide to Bentley. Bentley passed out to nr 8 Luke Cowdell who took play up to the 22. Just when Hills expected the pass out wide to Isaac Gillson in close support, Cowdell cleverly shifted his weight and stepped back inside, splitting the defenders beautifully, to score under the posts. An easy conversion for Bentley gave the blues the lead. Sadly this was short lived, as Hills pressured back and managed to score a converted try minutes later. The half closing at 12:15 to the visitors.
Following a stern team talk Otliensians started the second half with determination and the tables slowly started to turn.
With an excellent long pass from replacement prop George Martin, Cowdell had enough room to build up pace and cut through for his second try. Again Bentley’s conversion was on point, taking back the lead at 19-15. As expected in such a tight game Hills responded ‘pound for pound’ with another try for their powerful second row, crashing through at pace following a quick penalty. The simple conversion gave Hills back the 3 point lead. At this point the home team looked unusually despondent; Hills were matching everything.
The crowd knew Ensians weren’t playing their usual flowing rugby and shouted messages of support; “keep your heads up lads”, “Come on Ensians”. Thankfully the blues did start to fire on all cylinders in the latter stages of the half, and things started to work in their favour; it was Hills now who were missing passes and knocking on.
Half way into the second half playing a knock on advantage Bentley took play out of the danger zone, before passing back to Ollie eaves who kicked long. The ball dribbling into touch for a 50:22. Having chased up the kick, Eaves spotted an opportunity for a quick line out and took everybody by surprise when he flung the ball back in field. Will Howarth caught the pass and ran into score. Again Bentley added the extras taking the score to 26:22.
Hills fought hard to regain the lead, but failed to gain the upper hand, as now Ensians could see light at the end of the tunnel. From a sliced penalty kick for touch, the elusive ball bobbled as both teams scrambled to gather. Bravely, John Neall dived on the ball and in the same motion passed out wide to Eaves, who fed the back line. This time Cowdell drew the defender before sending the ball wide for Howarth. Still 50m out, he exploded from the blocks and zipped down the left wing in a flash. Scoring with a swan dive in the corner. Bentley secured the tricky conversion, taking the score to 33:22.
Another try soon followed thanks to great kicking from Ollie Eaves and Jake Bentley, in combination with runners chasing up pressurising the fullback. Hills just couldn’t shake off the oncoming players, and soon enough were dispossessed. Young hooker Alex Gillson ankle tapped just yards from the line miraculously mid fall popped the ball up for Cowdell in support to gather and cruise in for his hat trick. Sadly the conversion wasn't to be, but now with a 16 point lead, the home side had some breathing space. Wheatley fought on and managed to close the gap to just 9 points, before the final whistle closed the game at 38:29.
Having already secured promotion, Otliensians need just one point from their remaining two games to be crowned league champions, and with tenth placed Barnsley away on the 22nd, they’re certainly the bookies favourites.
Ben Ritson
