Otliensians 17

Bradford Salem 11

Otliensians are through to the third round of the National Junior Cup following a deserved and hard-fought win over old cup rivals Bradford Salem.

The sides looked fairly balanced in the first ten minutes with play being in midfield until a series of driving thrusts by Simon Hawkins, Hugh Gumbs, Peter Gillson and Richard Smith forced Salem back and flanker David Smith, for the second week running, backed up well and went over for a well-deserved try.

Otliensians were not playing at their best but nevertheless were containing the visiting forwards and restricting their possession. Once again however the line-outs were not all working according to plan and Salem took advantage.

After 25 minutes Salem clawed three points back with a penalty and went into the with another.

Otliensians were struggling a little to produce cohesive play and neither side looked likely to cross the opposition's line until Hawkins, who had been kicking well out of defence, found himself in possesison. He threaded a beautiful grubber kick through the Salem backs only to be taken out as he followed up. A little closer to the line and this would have been a penalty try.

Haines made no mistake with the penalty kick and Otliensians went into the break with an 8-6 lead.

In the interval Chris Bawden replaced Gumbs, who had an old back problem, and Brett Tenniswood came on for Richard Paley, who was carrying an ankle injury. Paley had got through some good work in the loose and Gumbs had been his usual driving, hard tackling self.

The addition of Brett Tenniswood to the line-out options improved Otliensians possession.

Aidy Fawell, who had had little opportunity, made a dangerous run and a try looked feasible until the defence just did enough to thwart the attack. Otliensians were putting Salem under pressure and this led to the visitors conceding two penalties which the ever dependable Haines converted.

The home side then suffered a severe blow when skipper Richard Smith, leading from the front throughout, took an awkward tackle and suffered severe ligament damage. Otliensians had used their replacements and had to play the last 15 minutes a man short.

They naturally tired and when Haines put them a further three points into the lead with a well struck penalty they took their foot off the pedal only to let Salem in with a late try deep into injury time.

Nevertheless they were through to round three and deservedly so.

l On Saturday Otliensians travel to the only side that is above them in the league, Heath. Travelling supporters to Stainland Road, Greetland, will be most welcome.

Bradford Salem 26

Otliensians A 17

In a close game, Bradford Salem just about deserved the win. Otliensians scored first with a dazzling long range try from winger Matthew Dykes. Salem hit back with a penalty goal.

They did, however, fail to make the most of their chances with some excellent defence from Otliensians, with centre Tony Collins particularly prominent. Salem led 10-5 at half-time.

Second-half tries were added by Andy Hayward, Elliot Dawson converting, and Roy Appleyard.