OORUFC Match Report
5th April 2025
OORUFC 48 vs 42 Rotherham Phoenix
Last league game of the season
A good crowd travelled to Chaffers Field to watch the final league game of the Season on a lovely warm day with a strong easterly breeze. The home team already crowned League Champions wanted to end on a high note but it turned out to be a close tough 16 try encounter.
Taking advantage of the wind ‘Ensians drove into the visitors 22 and shortly after charging down a reliev ing kick Harry Wales scored the opening unconverted try for the blues to take the lead after 5 minutes.
Rotherham took play into the home half through their hefty strong forwards and some enterprising back play but after 15 minutes a wayward pass was snapped up by Will Howarth who outpaced the opposition to race 60 metres to score a try converted by Harry Bentley to take a 12 points lead.
‘Ensians just could not get the ball and the visitors took full advantage of their possession by scoring four unconverted tries in the next 20 minutes .Their strong well trained forwards were unstoppable when within 5 metres of the line and they made good use of the ball when opening out to their backs.
After 35 minutes ‘Ensians gained some good ball at last and a quick break by Will Cooper put Josh Howarth over for an unconverted try ----BUT on the cusp of half time the Visitors took a home scrum against the head 5 metres out and barged over for their 5th unconverted try to make a half time score of 17-25 in favour of Rotherham.
The start of the 2nd half was another kettle of fish— In the first 15 minutes ‘Ensians scored 4 tries 2 of which were converted by Harry Bentley. The first came from a fine break by Fred Abraham with Luke Cowdell scoring, the second was from a lineout 30 metres from the home line when the ball was smartly passed to Will Howarth who then ran 50 metres to score beating about 5 defenders in the process,the third from a movement starting in the home half with Luke Cowdell passing to Will Howarth who again crossed the whitewash and the fourth a penalty try (7 points) when Luke Cowdell was illegally tackled with the line at his mercy .This flurry made the score 43 -25.
Rotherham surged back and despite good defence scored two tries from their forwards powering from close to the line (one converted) to bring the score to 43-37 and the warning bells were ringing.
To bring a little relief ‘Ensians won a penalty and a lovely open move gave Will Howarth his fourth unconverted try after 35 minutes.
Not to be outdone The visitors attacked again for another unconverted try leaving a few nailbiting minutes to endure before the final whistle enabling ‘Ensians to end an inspiring league season with a `16 try bonanza 48 points to 42 victory.
They now enter the Papa John’s National Cup with a home fixture against Jarrovians on Saturday 12th April.