OORUFC Match Report
29th November 2025
OORUFC 42 vs 3 Halifax
Old Otliensians dominate arch rivals Halifax
Last Saturday Otliensians welcomed historical rivals Halifax to Chaffer’s field. Unlike Ensians who are performing well in Yorkshire 2, ‘Fax have found the jump up a struggle and are sitting at the bottom end of the table, having only enjoyed one win from their 7 matches to date. In the damp dull conditions both the squad and the side line supporters were keen to remind the visitors of how the tables have turned.
From the kick off the blues pinned ‘Fax into their ’22 until they won possession through the strength of Captain Luke Exley. Nr 8 Alex Powell drove play forward from the back of the scrum. On the fifteen minute mark ‘Fax, managed to make a break, making it to the home side’s 22 for the first time. This territorial advantage was quickly reversed when flanker Noel Gillson made a break down the middle before offloading right. On the halfway line full back Connor Bateman found himself in possession and streaked down the right wing to score. Centre Jake Bentley added the conversion.
The home crowd were thrilled to see Bateman return from injury and clearly back to fine form.
It took another fifteen minutes for Ensians to break through again, when Gillson carefully dribbled a loose ball over the line. Bentley again added the conversion, taking the score to 14 nil. Ensians third try was born out of Halifax’s frustration at not being able to break through Ensian’s impenetrable defensive line. Instead they opted for a kick into the ‘danger zone’. Winger Will Howarth read play well and tracked back to gather the high ball. He drew his man before passing back inside for Bentley to lead the charge. Out to Eaves and on the half way line back to ‘instigator’ Howarth. In his usual style Howarth flashed down the left wing to score. With the successful conversion the lead was now a comfortable 21 points.
Halifax did well in the remainder of the half, to hold back the relentless pressure from the home-side. There was an audible sigh of relief when the half time whistle blew.
Early in the second half it was clear the tourists had had enough. They found themselves trapped in their ’22 for a good ten minutes until finally Luke Exley powered his way over to score in the corner. Bentley’s excellent kick took the score to 28 nil. Ollie Eaves at fly half was impressive in the jackal securing many turnovers, and second teamer John Offer was in the thick of it for the full 80.
With 10 minutes left on the clock and the light fading fast, Halifax had a momentary rally. Just as they thought they were making progress, they were pick pocketed in the maul and quickly on the back foot. Bentley made it 20 yards before passing to Cowdell to finish off the job. He cruised through to score the fifth converted try of the day.
The home side managed one more score before the game closed when Eaves hacked the ball down field for the wingers to chase. Howarth won the race and artfully dribbled the ball over the line before grounding. Bentley kicked his 6th of the day closing Ensians tally at 42 points.
In the dying moments of the game ‘Fax managed to make it to Ensian’s try line but were frustrated when the referee deemed the ball held up. The resulting goal line drop out was mis-kicked by Bentley and went straight to Halifax’s quick thinking centre. A minor mistake in what was otherwise a faultless performance. As the blues charged forward ready to flatten him, he cleverly shifted his balance and kicked a nice drop goal, giving the tourists a 3 point consolation score.
Next week Otliensians travel to Bradford & Bingley in another top of the table clash.
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