Old Otliensians 18 Richmondshire 13

CONNOR Bateman scored all his side's points as Old Otliensians came from behind to snatch a dramatic extra-time win in a thrilling Yorkshire Silver Trophy encounter.

He ran in a hat-trick of tries and kicked a penalty to defeat the unbeaten Northumberland/Durham League Three side who had only previously conceded five points all season.

In a dramatic finish to the game, Bateman went over for his second try in the final minute of normal time after a flowing move to level the scores at 13-13.

He missed the conversion attempt so the game moved in to extra-time where the first score would win the game.

Unsurprisingly, it was that man Bateman who came up with the match-winning score. He finished off a flowing 60-mere move which featured forwards and backs with Rob Arbuckle twice getting involved.

It was a dramatic ending to a tie between two well-matched side, a contest where Otliensians relied on the pace and handling skills of their backs to overcome the superior forward power of the visitors.

The power of the Richmondshire pack was evident after Olly Eaves had gone close to an early try for the home side.

They drove the Otliensians pack back at a scrum and earned a penalty which they converted for a 3-0 lead.

The home side continued to struggle in the scrums and they fell 10-0 behind when Richmondshire scored a converted try after winning a scrum against the head.

Eaves was bundled into touch close to the Richmondshire line before Bateman kicked a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open his side's account.

Otliensians were boosted by the score and Bateman finished off a lovely move four minutes after the break to reduce the deficit to 10-8.

Despite the fine line-out work of skipper Sam Featherstone, the home pack were still struggling in the scrums where Richmondshire took two against the head.

Otliensians moved the ball whenever they were in possession but a combination of strong defence and stray passes meant they were kept at bay.

From a a rare foray into the Otliensians half, Richmondshire were awarded a penalty which they landed successfully to make the score 13-8.

Just when the home supporters thought it was not going to be their side's day, a super move across the home backs resulted in Bateman going over to level the scores.

Having never led in the match, Otliensians snatched victory through that man Bateman in extra time.

After the game skipper Featherstone received the Whistlers’ Trophy for the season 2015/16 which is presented by the Referees Society to the most welcoming and well-organised club in the North Yorkshire area.