OORUFC Match Report
8th November 2025
OORUFC 91 vs 5 Northallerton
An outstanding win for Ensians
Before my pen had touched the paper, the sideline supporters erupted. I looked up to see winger Will Howarth walking back to his team mates after touching down the first of his 5 tries. Seconds later inside centre Jake Bentley set off on a jinking run up field with nr 8 Luke Cowdell on hand to finish the move and score the second converted try in as many minutes. This set the tone for the rest of the match; blink and you might miss something.
The conditions at Chaffers field were perfect and with the home squad brimming with confidence, the visitors stood little chance.
Howarth’s second came on the fifteenth minute, when North’ attempted a panicked clearance kick. Clearly under duress due to the ferocious tackling of the Gillsons and Harry Wales, Northallerton attempted to release the pressure. The poor kick was gathered and promptly passed down the line to Howarth, who zipped down the wing to score. His hat-trick came just 3 minutes later taking the tally to 28 nil. From the restart Cowdell took play back towards the halfway line. 3 phases later Captain Luke Exley surprised everybody with a deft turn of pace. With the ball in one hand, he charged up field before passing overhead to Harry Gillson. Gillson raced the last 30 meters to score under the posts, taking the score to 35:0. From the restart the visitors enjoyed a brief period ‘on the front foot’ and following a number of penalties they managed to drive over for an unconverted try. Their only score of the day.
Just before the half time break the visitors frustrations were palpable, and when Haworth ran in his fourth try tempers started to flair. The half closed at 42:5.
Otliensians next try came from a penalty 10m from North’s line. Substitute prop George Martin hit the line hard and powered his way over to score. Further tries were scored by Ollie Eaves, Harry Gillson, Luke Cowdell, Will Howarth and brother Josh. The game closed at an outstanding 91 points to 5.
In the other weekend matches, league leaders Bridlington lost to Huddersfield Laund Hill and joint second placed Bradford & Bingley were beaten by Baildon. This leaves only Otliensians with 6 wins out of 6 matches.
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