LAST Saturday Old Otliensians welcomed Hornsea RUFC to Chaffers field for the all important playoff for the first promotion spot to Yorkshire 3.

The pre-match nerves were almost palpable, despite being undefeated this season to date and certainly sure favourites, but with just as much to play for Hornsea were not going to be a walk over.

With the wind at their backs, Hornsea set off strong, and won the ball from their own kick off, with their excellent inside centre driving play forward.

Luckily, centre Luke Cowdell was on hand and forced a penalty for not releasing. Keen to make an impression, Captain Jay Walsh, took a quick tap, and hit the defensive line like a train. The ball recycled back out to Cowdell who broke down the left wing, before passing out to ‘speed merchant’ Will Howarth.

The winger skirted past his diving opponent, to score in the corner. Sadly for the hosts, the ref deemed his foot must have grazed the touch line, even if the touch judge did not.

This gave Hornsea possession and stopped the attack for now. With a scrum on the halfway line, front row Luke Exley, Alex Gillson and Mikey Groves controlled the pack, and facilitated clean ball out to the backs. This time, full back Will Cooper made a break into their twenty two, drawing three men, before delivering a deft grubber kick forward.

The ball bounced favourably for Will Howarth on the outside to gather and he was on hand to score the first of his three tries. Jake Bentley’s first attempt at goal was frustrated by the remnants of storm Kathleen’s easterly winds.

From the restart there was the first of several galloping runs from number 8, Will Rigg. The ball spun out to Jake Bentley who jinked his way deep into Hornsea’s half before passing out to Howarth again to make his way down the left wing. Howarth’s dreams of a second try were quickly dashed, when Hornsea’s scrum half made the tackle of the day, taking man and ball into touch just 2m from the try line. From the line-out, flanker and ‘man of the match’, Noel Gillson battled hard to regain possession in the breakdown, and successfully got the ball out to Haworth, who had an easier task this time; diving into the corner from a metre out.

Again, the wind hindering Bentley from adding the ‘extras’. With ten points on the board, and only 10 minutes played, the supporters nerves began to dissipate a little.

Moments later Hornsea were awarded a penalty in almost the same position, this time opting for a kick at goal. With the wind in their favour the three points were inevitable.

Will Cooper then fed the ball to Cowdell in support who managed only 15m before being ankle tapped by Hornsea’s winger in hot pursuit. Mid tumble, he skilfully passed the ball out to Howarth, who raced for the line, to claim his third. This time Jake Bentley read the wind well, and claimed this first conversion of the day, taking the lead to 17-3.

From a long restart Otliensians set off on a multiphase foray upfield. To the elation of flanker Ally Campbell and the vexation of Hornsea the ball was passed back in field for Campbell to score under the posts. This gave Bentley an easy conversion, to increase the lead to 24-3

Hornsea managed to pull one back in the far right corner from a rolling maul to reduce the score to 24-8 at half time.

Frustratingly for the hosts the advantageous wind had now moved north as Otliensians restarted the second half. Still with a man down, the home team rallied hard, and pinned the visitors to their try line. Eventually young player Alex Gillson dived through the melee to score in the corner. With a super conversion from Bentley the score line looked a little more relaxing at 31-8.

However, Hornsea’s determination shone through and they played the ball wide to see their right winger over in the corner. The extra two points were added with a fabulous kick from the touch line, from Hornsea's full back.

Haworth then tore down the left wing, to the shrieks of the crowd, baying for another score. Almost there, he was cut down by Hornsea’s full back. Luckily Rigg had continued in support, and caught the pop pass from Haworth as he dropped. Rigg had an easy task and cruised over to score and close the game at 36-15.

Hornsea certainly played well, but with their first undefeated season, no one could deny Otliensians deserved the promotion spot.