OORUFC Match Report
3rd October 2026
OORUFC 27 vs 14 Yarnbury
Yorkshire 1 Game 2
Fast paced superb rugby between two well matched teams
WOW! Last Saturday, in the glorious Autumn sunshine a large appreciative crowd enjoyed a fast paced game of superb Rugby between two well matched teams.
From the kick off ‘Ensians were caught napping when Yarnbury, the visitors, re-caught the ball, opened it out and scored a converted try.
The Home team, suitably fired up, moved into the away 22 and from a scrum, nr 8 Luke Cowdell made the initial break before passing out left for “Quicksilver” Will Howarth to streak down the wing and over the whitewash. The conversion by Jake Bentley levelled the scores. Thus setting the tone for the match.
When in possession Yarnbury looked dangerous, but the home defence was sound. The attack was initially rather scrappy, but after 20 minutes of play Ensians settled into their stride, pressuring Yarnbury into making mistakes. JB took Ensians into the lead with a penalty goal.
Play moved from end to end, firstly following a home scrum Ensians’ marauding forwards were held up over the line and secondly just minutes later following a Yarnbury penalty when their backs mounted a kean attack, thankfully thwarted by a superb tackle by big full back Connor Bateman. Another foray into the visitor’s 22 led to a second penalty by JB after 35 minutes.
This ended the first half scoring with ‘Ensians in the lead by 13 points to 7, but before the whistle was blown Yarnbury put the home defence under intense pressure on the cusp of the break.
The second half opened with a feast of expansive rugby from both sides. This resulted in another penalty by JB after 3 minutes. Then after 8 minutes Yarnbury scored a fine converted try when their nimble centre wrong footed the home defence with a nifty dummy.
The score was now 16-14 to ‘Ensians – GAME ON !! — There followed almost 20 minutes of outstanding rugby by both teams, with hard forward play and superb back play countered by excellent defence. It was a joy to watch. Who would blink first? ‘Ensians were the better team by a short head and it was another great move by the backs that gave Will Howarth just enough space to scorch in for his second unconverted try.
Working on the principle that you should attempt to get points each time you enter the opposition 22, JB was able to score two more penalties in the closing minutes, taking the final score to 27 points to 14. A famous victory for Otliensians over long standing opponents.
Report: John Churchman
Ensians now run an established second team who lost at Yarnbury by 36 points to 19 in an attractive game.
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