Yorkshire Two

Old Otliensians 32

Roundhegians 12

by John Harrison

OLD Otliensians took advantage of the wind at their backs in the first half to lead at half-time and went on to beat Roundhegians 32-12 at Chaffer's Field on Saturday.

The home side went straight into the attack, moving the ball wide to take play into the visitors’ 22. The solid ‘Hegians’ defence held out, but as both forwards and backs battered the line lock Lee O’Donnell broke through to touch down on 12 minutes.

Will Cooper’s conversion bounced off the post giving the hosts a 5-0 lead. Fly half Cooper used the wind to good advantage, testing the defence with long diagonal kicks to the corners. He converted a penalty on 24 minutes to stretch the lead to 8-0.

Despite powerful forays from centre Luke Cowdell and a long curving run from winger Nick Hesketh, the visitors defended soundly and worked the ball upfield where good re-cycling and support play produced a try on 30 minutes. The conversion failed, with ‘Ensians’ lead reduced to 8-5.

The home side attacked with half backs Jacob Wragg and Cooper moving the ball wide to produce good runs from 19-year-old debutant Charlie Tucker and centre James Bagnall.

Cowdell also looked threatening and on 34 minutes he cut through a gap for a fine score. Cooper’s conversion stretched the lead to 15-5 at half-time.

After the break, and as expected, ‘Hegians used the wind to push the hosts back into their own 22. The home scrum held its own and the line-out functioned well with clean ball from skipper Sam Featherstone and lock Dougie Elgar.

Although veteran forward Rob Arbuckle theoretically “retired” after the Club’s National Vase success last May, life watching from the touchline did not suit him and he came on at half-time to add experience and weight to the pack.

After ten minutes, some good driving from Lee O’Donnell, prop Dan Stevens and Arbuckle moved play into the visitors’ 22. The backs mounted a series of attacks and lively flanker Paddy Phipps was on hand to link up and scamper over on 50 minutes.

Cooper added the conversion and the home side led 22-5. This was followed on 58 minutes by O’Donnell’s second try as he forced his way over wide out. The conversion failed with the lead now 27-5.

Although trailing, ‘Hegians were far from finished as they capitalised on handling errors and penalties. A quick tap from another penalty allowed them to drive over for their second try on 70 minutes. Their conversion failed with the gap narrowing to 27-12.

The home side continued to attack with lock Ross Nicholls producing a galloping run into the opposition 22. From a scrum Arbuckle was rewarded with a try as he picked up and drove over. The failed conversion took the final score 32-12 to the hosts.

The well-deserved bonus-point victory for ‘Ensians moved them up to seventh in Yorkshire Two division.