North Ribblesdale 16 Old Otliensians 10

OLD Otliensians knew they were going to have a tough game at Settle against a North Ribblesdale team having won all of its games and riding high at the top of Yorkshire Two.

However, 'Ensians made a bright start and in an early attack Luke Cowdell broke through a couple of tackles but the Ribb defence held firm.

The home team took the lead with a penalty as Ribb continued to put their opponents under pressure.

Otliensians gradually got into their attacking stride and their fluid back play stretched the home defence.

From a line-out taken by Doug Elgar,Will Cooper kicked ahead, Ribb knocked on and from the ensuing scrum a super move across the backs resulted in Jacob Wragg being pulled down just short of the line.

A great drive by the forwards took the ball over the line but the try was disallowed.

'Ensians were camped on the line for some minutes with the forwards working like Trojans with Rob Arbuckle, Paddy Phipps and Sam Featherstone prominent but they just could not score.

A powerful run by Joe Armitage saw him break through two tackles before his side were awarded a penalty which Will Cooper duly slotted between the posts to even the score.

The enterprising play from the visitors continued into the second half with Rob Lofthouse playing at full back taking a high ball at speed and beating three men to take play into the home 22.

Ribb weathered the storm and hit back with a series of strong scrums before forcing a penalty which enabled them to take a 6-3 lead.

The response was impressive. 'Ensians won a scrum 35 metres out which led to James Bagnall giving quick ball to Will Cooper.

He linked with Olly Eaves who sent Luke Cowdell charging through the defence for a sublime try between the posts which was duly converted by Will Cooper to give his side a 10-6 lead.

Ribb stormed back on the attack and Lofthouse made a try-saving tackle.

Paddy Phipps, Nick Hesketh and Doug Elgar typified the resilient Otliensians defensive play..

After 31 minutes a home break from halfway looked like succeeding but under intense pressure the ball was lost over the line.

A series of forward phases on the 'Ensians line were thwarted by good defence but eventually the elastic broke and the home winger dived over to score a converted try.

The last five minutes were played out in visitors’ 22 and in the dying minutes Ribb scored a penalty goal to make it 16-10.

It was a fine display by Otliensians against a team which will undoubtedly be in the mix for promotion.