Harrogate Pythons 5 Old Otliensians 37

OTLIENSIANS took a while to warm to their task but once they did they ran out comfortable winners of their Yorkshire Three clash.

They came under pressure early in the game and went behind after 20 minutes. The Pythons capitalised on a dominant scrum by moving the ball smartly across the backs to create a try in the corner.

Otliensians responded well to the setback and generated plenty of pressure but despite the efforts of Luke Cowdell and Olly Eaves they could not breakthrough until the final minute of the half.

The visitors went close immediately after the break with James Smith forcing his way down the slope and passing to Cowdell who was only denied by a good tackle.

The home defence cracked when captain Sam Featherstone charged down a clearance and neatly controlled the ball to score an unconverted try wide out to give his side the lead.

The try lifted Otliensians with the forwards and backs combining well to create pressure.

Pythons were getting penned in their own half and Otliensians were rewarded when Rob Arbuckle barged over for a try.

Forwards Jack Smith John Offer and Michael Groves were working hard to give the ball to the backs and Pythons had to rely on desperate defence to survive.

Inevitably the defence tired and from a great ten metre scrum which saw Pythons driven backwards, Arbuckle scored his second try.

Otliensians were now rampant and the plucky Harrogate team were exhausted

Kristian Keinhorst jinked past three players and slipped the ball to Will Cooper who went over for a try.

Lewis Robinson was tackled just short after a 50-metre break before good passing created a lovely score for Connor Paley.

As the final whistle beckoned, Arbuckle and Paddy Phipps combined with Michael Groves who scored the final try. Will Cooper converted to round off the scoring.