Aireborough 5 Old Otliensians 21

PROMOTION-chasing Otliensians were made to work hard for their Yorkshire Three victory on a bitterly cold afternoon at Nunroyd Park.

The old boys have often struggled against their local rivals and didn’t find things easy against a resolute home defence.

It took 17 minutes for Otliensians to break Aireborough’s resistance. A neat chip ahead by Will Cooper was kicked on and after being superbly picked up by Alex Murphy, the ball was passed to Olly Eaves who scored a lovely try which was converted by Will Cooper.

Aireborough came straight back through strong forward play taking advantage of the sticky conditions but although they were moving in the right direction the Otliensians defence held firm.

The lead was extended when Cooper added a penalty goal after a spell of good pressure, but Aireborough hit back and it needed a fine relieving kick from Ali Booth kept them at bay.

The visitors' forwards were working really hard with Joe Armitage and Michael Groves prominent and captain Sam Featherstone performing to his usual high standard in the line-outs.

With half-time approaching, 'Ensians forwards put in a prolonged. Rob Arbuckle and Paddy Phipps made the hard yards and dragged in the home defence before slick passing by Alex Murphy and Nick Keinhorst enabled Connor Bateman to outflank the defence from 40 metres out for a superb unconverted try.

Bateman had to leave the pitch through injury in the second half which blunted the visitors attack somewhat but Matt Taylor came on and tested the home defence at every opportunity.

When 'Ensians exerted extra pressure Aireborough conceded penalties with Cooper landing two to stretch the lead to 21-0.

The visitors were taking control of the game in the home 22 with the forwards striving for possession and the backs trying to break through, but the excellent Aireborough defence did not.

Aireborough’s spirited efforts were rewarded when they broke out with their forwards and backs linking up to create an overlap which led to an unconverted try wide out.

Much of the last five minutes were spent on the Aireborough line. Nick Hesketh, Taylor and Rob Arbuckle all went within inches of scoring but to no avail.