Otliensians make flying start as they beat Wensleydale

OLD Otliensians made a flying start to their first visit to newly-promoted Wensleydale.

They scored a try in the first minute and went on to establish a 38-0 by half-time.

Unfortunately they were unable to maintain the momentum in the second half as the hosts hit back.

Otliensians attacked straight from the kick off. Flanker Matt Taylor caught the ball and set off upfield before putting winger Connor Bateman in for a try.

Centre Luke Cowdell converted and more good handling by the backs allowed centre Ollie Eaves to score a good try under the posts to take the score 14-0 after just four minutes.

The visitors’ line-out was working well through flankers Sam Featherstone and Taylor with good support from young lock Will Bowie.

The ample supply of possession allowed half backs Rob Lofthouse and Kristian Keinhorst to pull the strings.

A good break by Cowdell was taken on by lock Ross Nichols, Featherstone and hooker John Offer with winger Chris Westland backing up to make it 19-0.

The home side then began to get more into the game with some spirited drives from their pack and strong running from their backs.

but the ‘Ensians’ defence was up to it with strong tackling from Cowdell, No 8 Lee O’Donnell and flanker Featherstone.

The visiting front row of Michael Groves, Offer and Paddy Phipps were always in control and the supply of clean ball led to a further try from Bateman – his second of the game. Cowdell’s conversion took the score to 26-0.

The relentless attacking by the visiting backs continued with tireless support from their forwards as the Wensleydale defence struggled to cope. A flowing back move saw newcomer full back Alex Murphy join the line and use his pace to score halfway out after 31 minutes.

Lee O’Donnell had been putting in some impressive runs and one of these played a part in the second try for winger Westland. Cowdell's conversion extended the lead to 38-0.

No doubt after serious words from their coach, the home side stepped up their performance in the second half with better first-up tackling and a much stronger effort in the scrums and loose.

This knocked the visitors off their stride with the result that play became scrappy, mistakes occurred and cracks appeared in their defence.

After a period of pressure, Wensleydale went over for a well-worked try after 50 minutes and followed it up ten minutes later with another after a mix-up in the visitors' defence. With one conversion, the score was now 38-12.

For their part, ‘Ensians were still trying to play attacking open rugby, but passes were delayed for that fraction of a second too long and when they were pressing in the home 22, “white-line fever” spoilt several good chances.

Otliensians had periods of pressure, but the home defence was now much more determined and managed to keep the visitors at bay.

As ‘Ensians’ frustration rose, back-chat to the referee produced a yellow card. This led to pressure in and another mix-up in defence allowed the home side to go over for their third try.