Old Otliensians 32 Aireborough 6

OLD OTLIENSIANS extended their 100per cent start to four games in Yorkshire Three after winning Saturday's derby clash at Chaffers Field.

The visitors have a big set of forwards and in the early stages it looked very much as though Otliensians would struggle to compete up front.

Play was scrappy, passing loose and a penalty conceded by the home side in front of the posts saw Aireborough take a first-minute lead.

A further offence on the ten-metre line was struck beautifully as the visitors opened an earl 6-0 lead.

Gradually, Otliensians began to get into the game and into opposition territory.

Aireborough suffered three injuries which disrupted their momentum.

The defensive play of both sides was good, but eventually the home side opened their account when Carl Paterson landed a difficult penalty.

Mistakes were plentiful, but after a line-out steal, some tidy handling then a kick through, Connor Bateman outpaced the defence to score under the posts.

Paterson’s conversion gave a lead of 10-6 to the home team on the half-hour mark.

A good kick-chase by Murphy and another clean line-out win was followed by Bateman beating several defenders to score a classic winger’s try far out.

The difficult conversion failed and half-time came with Otliensians leading 15-6.

The visitors were clearly in some disarray due to their injuries and it was up to Otliensians to take full advantage.

Their half-time substitutions were calculated and productive. Paterson had put in a good kicking shift at fly half, but Olly Eaves moving to ten changed the shape.

Luke Cowdell made an immediate impact in the centre as the home backs began to look like a unit.

Bateman took over the place-kicking duties and an early second half penalty took the score to 18-6.

A lovely clean outside break by Cowdell was followed by a perfectly timed pass to put Eaves over.

The final score came when Aireborough fluffed a throw-in, and Eaves put Murphy into a gap and under the posts. Bateman converted the last two tries.

Sam Featherstone was outstanding in the line-out as Otliensians continued their winning start to the season.