Case for Old Otliensians' defence is as strong as their attack in Yorkshire Division Three

OLD Otliensians not only maintained their second place in Yorkshire Division Three, but they also now have the best defensive record of any Yorkshire team in the Northern divisions above Yorkshire Division Four.

Despite the scoreline, Baildon played their part in an entertaining derby, which was well refereed by local man Graham Bentley.

On a sunny but cool afternoon, with a moderate rising westerly breeze straight down the pitch, 'Ensians were hoping to extend their winning run to three matches.

Baildon opted to play with the breeze behind them and were quickly on the attack in the home 22 but the defence held.

After 11 minutes, however, after a searching attack, followed by a penalty kicked to touch, the home team made ground into the visitors' 22 and Joe Armitage crashed over for an unconverted.try.

Baildon fought back though, with one good move being foiled when their winger crossed the line but had put a foot in touch, while another was halted by a knock-on.

Play was even, with the teams matching one another in the scrums and line-outs, but the hosts gained the ascendancy after 28 minutes when, following a sustained attack in the Baildon 22, the ball was recycled to Luke Cowdell, who scored a try that was converted by Connor Bateman.

Six minutes later, Matt Taylor made a great break to charge over for an unconverted try to make the score 17-0.

The rest of the half belonged to Baildon but, despite giving away penalties, the home defence proved sound.

Despite playing against the wind, Baildon took the play straight into the home half, taking tap penalties on two occasions in an attempt to make further ground, but again the fine 'Ensians held them at bay.

The hosts then took control of the game.

First a magnificent penalty by Will Cooper, using the wind, made 40 metres, taking play to five metres of the Baildon line.

The line-out was taken by the home team, and they gained a scrum, moving Baildon backwards for Rob Arbuckle to drive over for a typical try that was converted by Bateman.

With their four-try bonus point safely pouched, 'Ensians continued to use the wind and the sun intelligently, kicking over the Baildon defence and then following up to tackle a defender to turn defence into attack.

From one such kick by Cowdell after 55 minutes, the defender was stopped, the ball turned over and passed across the line for Bateman to score a try and add the extras, making the score 31-0.

'Ensians now had their tails up, Baildon were tiring and the home team had full control of the scrums, while Sam Featherstone and Ali Campbell were prominent in the line-outs.

In the 63rd minute, Baildon opened the ball out in their 22 but a magnificent tackle by Will Prest enabled the ball to be turned over, and Cowdell scored his second try, converted by Bateman.

The hosts' seventh try came give minutes later, scored by Bateman after a strong run and superbly converted by him from the touchline.

Baildon did not give up and, despite being in their own half for much of the rest of the game, tried to keep the ball moving, while their defence held firm.