Rob Arbuckle scores hat-trick as Old Otliensians power to ten-try win over Halifax in Yorkshire Three

OTLIENSIANS returned to winning ways with an emphatic ten-try triumph in Yorkshire Three.

On a cold and grey afternoon the useful Halifax pack took the game to the home side with some good driving and offloading.

Their ball-control and domination of possession meant that the hosts didn’t get a look-in and on the first two occasions ‘Ensians managed to get hold of the ball, they knocked it on.

After some close calls, the home side at last began to play some rugby and were rewarded when number eight Rob Arbuckle drove over wide out for the first try.

The home side kept up the pressure with the front row of Toby Keep, John Offer and Paddy Phipps holding their own against a hefty Halifax front row. With a steady supply of ball in the line-out from flankers Sam Featherstone and Ollie Cooper, the home backs began to show their paces.

Full back Luke Cowdell weaved through the defence to score near the posts and fly half Will Cooper converted.

After linking with centres Ollie Eaves and Lee O’Donnell, Cowdell spotted space on the opposite wing and his well-placed kick saw young winger Lewis Robinson dive over for the third try.

Halifax hit back with a spell of heavy pressure which saw Otliensians collect a yellow card. The visitors took advantage of their extra man to score a try.

The hosts clicked into gear again after the break with both forwards and backs moving the ball well.

The pressure resulted in a second try for Arbuckle which Will Cooper converted to stretch the lead to 24-5.

Halifax briefly came back, but the pace of the game was beginning to tell as ‘Ensians ran in two further tries by Robinson - his second of the game - and another from replacement prop Michael Groves. Cooper added one conversion.

Arbuckle rounded off a fine display with a trademark gallop from 40 yards in which he brushed off would-be defenders to complete his hat-trick.

The lively play and good handling by the home side continued with centre O’Donnell slicing through for a try after 70 minutes which Cooper converted.

New energy was added from the bench through Ross Nichols and centre Josh Howarth.

Cowdell jinked his way through for his second try which Cooper converted, before a fine display of interplay between forwards and backs saw lock Jack Smith dive over for the final try.

It rounded off an entertaining afternoon and a welcome bonus-point win.