Yorkshire Division Three: Old Otliensians 34 Stocksbridge 14

PROMOTED Old Otliensians met already relegated Stocksbridge on a warm, sunny day at Chaffers Field, but the visitors, backed by their usual band of supporters, made life difficult for the hosts at times and they ran in two consolation tries in the second half.

With forwards that were heavier and taller than the hosts, the visitors pinned the home side in their 22 for over 15 with a series of pick and drives.

Ensians were fully stretched, and it seemed that the dam must burst, but organised defence kept Stocksbridge out and the pressure was eased with a clearance kick from fly half Kristian Keinhorst.

When the hosts eventually got their hands on the ball, a slick dummy from Keinhorst moved play into the visitors’ half and, from a line-out, Ensians drove towards the line.

The ball was quickly re-cycled, and a pop pass gave centre Luke Cowdell space to jink his way through on 23 minutes.

Despite being lighter, the home pack, with their front row of Dan Stevens, John Offer and Toby Keep, drove the opposition back so that any ball that they got was a nightmare for their half-backs, while the back row of Paddy Phipps, Rob Arbuckle and skipper Sam Featherstone caused big problems for Stocksbridge as they tried to move the ball wide.

Handling mistakes gave Ensians the chance to mount a series of attacks and, when a gap opened up, Featherstone nipped through to score near the posts, with Keinhorst's conversion stretching the lead to 12-0 on 30 minutes.

The hosts then gained possession after a line-out and when the ball reached Cowdell on halfway, he cut inside and set off on a powerful, weaving run, ducking under tackles and diving over for a superb individual try in the corner.

An excellent conversion by Keinhorst increased the lead to 19-0 on 34 minutes, and three minutes later the bonus-point try was secured.

Good drives from locks Matt Taylor and Ali Campbell set up the platform and, from a scrum near the line, Ensians' pack drove over for No 8 Arbuckle to touch down.

Leading 24-0 at half-time, the home side had the breeze with them in the second half, and carried on where they left off.

On 44 minutes, Rob Lofthouse broke away up the left with a Stocksbridge winger hot on his heels.

Ensians' scrum half was grabbed just before the line, but his momentum took him over for a fine try.

The hosts then made several changes, meaning that then home scrum had parity rather than being dominant.and the visitors came into the game more.

Good driving and support from their forwards took play to the home line, and the defensive line held as the ball was moved left and then right before a gap appeared for a well-worked converted try.

With their tails up, Stocksbridge continued to attack, and were rewarded with a second converted try on 58 minutes to make it 29-14.

However, the hosts continued to spread the ball wide and they were back on the scoresheet as winger Nick Hesketh dived over in the corner on 63 minutes.

Ensians still attacked, and a slick move up the left flank involving centre Ollie Eaves and flanker Paddy Phipps gave stand-in centre Josh Smith the chance to cut inside to score under the posts, but play was called back for a foot in touch.

Ensians, whose Twickenham date against South Molton in the RFU Junior Vase final is on Sunday, May 6, play their final home game of the season on Saturday against Skipton.

Four coachloads of Ensians supporters are already booked for HQ, but more places (£25) are available through Ben Featherstone on 07979-105085.