Otliensians' huge tackle count not was not enough

The scoreline of four tries and three conversions to nil did not truly reflect the effort this Otliensians side put into the match played on the moors above Stocksbridge.

The pitch condition was the major factor being muddy and very wet all over with a strong north westerly wind at Otliensians' backs in the first-half.

Stocksbridge's game plab was obvious from the start with pressure rucking and mauling and some of their larger forwards just lying off to try to drive through close in.

The home side came at the visitors with wave after wave. Otliensians' tackle count was enormous with tackles going in just about every four or five seconds but they were unable to get possession and the inevitable happened.

After seven minutes flanker Mick Shouler eventually breeched the Otliensian defence to score an unconverted try.

In this early period Otliensians were trying to use the wind to their advantage. But kicking out of defence was not always accurate and one unlucky attempt to put Stocksbridge on the back foot from inside the Otliensians' 22 metres illustrated the strength of the wind.

The ball hit the Stocksbridge dead ball line flag post with a scrum being awarded back in Otliensians' 22.

As the game progressed Otliensians' attack began to function but to little avail against the elements, ground conditions and a good home defence.

Play was concentrated in much of the first-half between the 22 metre lines until two minutes into injury time when following a rolling maul by Stocksbridge possession was given to the backs .

Wilkinson went over for a try converted by Francis to bring the half-time scoreline to 12-0.

The second-half was much as the first but with conditions not favouring flowing rugby the game was littered with mistakes on both sides.

It was only very late on that Stocksbridge were fortunate enough to add two converted tries through Hastings and Francis that the game was put out of reach for Otliensians.

The last try in particular was much against the run of play with Otliensians having been on the attack for some time. It followed a long kick through out of the defence by Stocksbridge.

Otliensians should not be downhearted by this result. Every player worked hard in their own way. The back row of Roberts, Hayward and Collins again had an enormous tackle count with Hayward at one point making four tackles in 15 seconds being outstanding.

The front five of Payne, Paley, Myers, Bonner and Tenniswood also did their fair share. The backs suffered in the atrocious conditions but whilst making mistakes understandably at times, nevertheless stuck to their task with some good runs by Fawell, Wilks and Pinguenet and scrum-half Ritson always in the thick of it. The feeling is that it is only a matter of time before Otliensians turn spirit into wins.

l On Saturday Otliensians visit Moortown, kick-off at Moss Valley is at 2.15 pm. Squad: A Fawell, M Tenniswood, R Wilks, S Varo, C Bawden, J James, D Smith, F Ritson, I Hopgood, M Payne, R Paley, A Myers, P Bonner, B Tenniswood, A Hayward, A Collins,D Roberts, R Arbuckle, A Rockett.

The second team entertain Moortown, players to be notified by Roger Whitworth. Meet at the ground at 1.30 pm.