Halifax Vandals 75 Old Otliensians 7

COACH John Walker knew this would be a problem week for player-availability due to injuries and holidays and, despite his best efforts, he was unable to come up with the required four registered front row players which is the requirement for all league matches.

This meant that the match against Vandals was classed as a “friendly” with the winning league points being awarded to the Halifax club automatically, regardless of the final score in the match.

On a warm sunny day the ‘Ensians fielded a side with only seven players with regular first team experience so they knew from the outset they had a mammoth task on their hands against a side second in the table and already promoted.

Despite some players playing out of position and others making their first team debuts, they played with spirit and enthusiasm.

From the kick-off the visitors conceded a turnover and the bulky powerful home pack drove play up to the line.

After a series of drives they went over for the first of their tries. Despite the score being near the touchline, the Vandals kicker converted and he continued to show this form for the rest of the match, missing only one kick.

The re-start gave the home backs chance to show their paces and powerful running and offloading produced a second converted try.

With scrums being uncontested throughout, this gave both sides chance to move the ball quickly and at last the visitors’ half backs Lewis Robinson and Rob Lofthouse managed to get the ball moving and a good run by centre Josh Howarth took play into the home half for the first time.

Unfortunately, turnover ball set the Halifax backs in motion again and good backing-up produced their third try. A further converted try stretched the lead to 28-0.

With skipper Sam Featherstone leading the way with good support from newcomer Doug Elgar, ‘Ensians managed to halt the Vandals progress and the ball was switched wide through centres Daz Cooley and Howarth to find Connor Bateman in space.

The winger beat two defenders and then went on a weaving run to outpace the cover and score an excellent try from 50 yards. which he also converted.

The visitors continued to defend well through props Jack Wilkinson and Paddy Phipps with good support from James Smith, Alex Burnett and Michael Cunningham, but attempted high tackles allowed the Vandals centre to weave through for a converted try to make the half time score 35-7.

With a sizeable crowd of supporters willing them on, the hosts were now in full cry, but good covering and solid defence by veteran full -back Dave Smith and winger Connor Paley snuffed out several dangerous moves.

Three further converted tries stretched the lead to 56-7.

With Phipps now partnering Howarth in the centre, the visitors mounted a promising attack in the opposition half only to see a delayed pass intercepted by the Vandals winger who raced in from 60 yards. The conversion took the score to 63-7.

Two more tries and a conversion completed the home side's scoring.

In the closing minute, full back Will Cooper made a good break and linked up with lock Matt Tenniswood who sent centre Daz Cooley away up the wing before he was halted by a last-gasp tackle.