OORUFC Match Report
12th April 2025
OORUFC 66 vs 19 Jarrovians
Papa John Cup Counties 3 & Below Championship - Round 1
Ensians dream of a return to Twickenham
After completing the season as league champions, the focus now down at Chaffers field is the three cup competitions in the run up to summer. The most exciting being the Papa Johns Trophy that culminates at Twickenham this summer.
Many will recall the dizzy heights of 2018 where Otliensians beat South Molton in a spectacular final. A return to the hallowed turf would be a dream after such a magnificent season. Last Saturday Ensians welcomed north eastern side Jarrovians in round one of the Championship.
The home side quickly took the upper hand with full back Connor Bateman opening the scoring just 5 minutes in. With an easy conversion Jake Bentley added the extras. Another try for the blues soon followed, thanks to the speed and strength of leading try scorer Will Howarth. The kick from far out wide, was struck perfectly by Bentley adding an extra two points and taking the lead to 14 nil.
For the next 20 minutes play ebbed and flowed with Jarrovians determined to hold back the home side. Just before the half hour mark, their excellent fly half broke down the middle, before passing out wide to their diminutive but speedy left wing. The number 11 zipped down the line, beating two defenders to score. The successful conversion narrowed the lead to just 7 points.
From the restart Jarrovians came straight back with a carbon copy of the previous attack. A try for sure, if it wasn't for a super try saving tackle from Luke Cowdell just inches from the line. Taking the winded winger and ball into touch. With fans still cheering the tackle, Will Cooper spotted an opportunity and surprised everybody taking a quick line out. Harry Wales gathered and took play up to the ’22 before passing wide out left to winger Will Howarth. With 6 players to beat, Haworth jinked and danced, wrong footing the first two would be tacklers, before shooting down the left wing to score. Again Bentley added the conversion taking the lead to 21-7. The tourists didn’t let this set back deter their zeal, and came back strong. With a few favourable decisions they ended up with a penalty just 5m from Ensians line. A small gap saw their hooker dive over to score an unconverted try and narrow the score to 21-12.
From the restart Ensians found themselves with a scrum deep inside Jarrovians half. Too far out for most number 8 pick ups, but not for Cowdell. He set off on a 24m solo charge, blasting through 4 tacklers to score. Again Bentley was on form and increased the lead to 28-12. The home team were now well into their stride and started to move into a higher gear. From the restart Cowdell secured possession and drove play up to the 10m line. The ball was quickly recycled and second row Jay Walsh continued the charge, before passing to Harry Wales. Wales made another 10m, before being tackled. Luckily Walsh was back in support, and made it to the ’22 before passing to Howarth. Howarth cruised in for his 3rd, beating the clubs try scoring record he set last season with 51 tries. Howarth is also in contention to be the national leading try scorer, with an average of 2.5 tries per match.
The blues restarted with a long kick into Jarrovians half. Sensing they weren’t going to break through they sent a long kick back hoping for a 50:22. Touch was denied by Will Cooper who reached high to gather the bouncing ball. He then passed back in field to Cowdell. Cowdell made 30m before being surrounded by yellow shirts. Power house prop George Martin was on hand to secure possession and keep the momentum. Martin did well passing out of the tackle to Howarth in support, who had a much easier task this time, with only two men to beat and as expected he cruised in for his 4th. The conversion wasn't to be, but the blues were starting to pull away. A further five tries were scored by captain Luke Exley, Luke Cowdell, Jake Bentley, Harry Gillson, and a stunning full length try from young winger Sam Gill. Jarrovians managed a consolation score in the last minutes of the match but with a 47 point lead the home side were ’a cut above’
The next fixture in the cup run will be away at Bury on the 26th April.
Papa John Cup Counties 3 & Below Championship Round 1 Results