OTLIENSIANS.........21

YARNBURY..............21

(Otliensians go through on try count)

Otliensians effectively won their Aire-Wharfe Cup quarter-final against old rivals Yarnbury on Tuesday by way of their two tries scored by winger Ady Fawell.

The teams were level at full time 18-18 and extra-time was played bringing it to 21 points apiece. All Yarnbury's points were via penalties but Otliensians included two excellewnt tries to give them a semi-final place against as yet unknown opposition.

They fear nobody at present with successive victories over clubs respectively three and two leagues higher in the Thwaites Northern Division.

In wet and increasingly heavy conditions the game opened in stilted fshion with a series of touch kicks including some excellent finds by full-back Dave Smith down the left flank. Otliensians opened the scoring with a fine try following sound possession by their forwards. Their backs passed quickly down the line for Fawell to go over.

With the weather rapidly deteriorating both sides found it difficult to play cohesive rugby and attacks were soon nullified.

The tightness of the game saw frequent penalties and by half-time Yarnbury notched up three successful kicks against two by Will Haines for Otliensians. The last came in injury time to put the home side 11-9 in the lead at the interval.

The second-half was much the same although Otliensians gradually exerted their dominace in the forwards.

Although unable to penetrate the Yarnbury defence in the backs were nullifying their opponents' attempts to do likewise. It was not a pretty game at this stage but Otliensians were seemingly the most effective in the conditions and they continually pressurised the Yarnbury line. The front five worked unceasingly with 'Mescher' Smith and Brett Tenniswood achieving their fair share of line-out ball considering the conditions.

Rockett, Twist and Baldwin and the latter's replacement Payne, all drove well close in and with the unceasing hardwork of Dave Roberts against his old club, the forwards were dominant in tight and loose.

The visitors started to get a little more into the game particularly after bringing on Stephen Riley, although his strong runs were effectively dealt with and pulled out some confrontational tackling by Gumbs and Bawden.

It was Yarnbury who were next to score 25 minutes into the half with a well struck penalty by their fly-half followed by another three minutes later to put them into the lead at 15-11.

Otliensians heads did not go down and on 75 minutes forward possession led once again to some quick delivery down the back line, Fawell receiving 20 metres out with a lot to do. His determination however took him over in the corner with three defenders trying vainly to tackle him into touch.

Haines landed the difficult conversion superbly.

The game seemed won until well into injury time when Yarnbury forced the extra period by levelling with a penalty.

In heavy conditions this seemed to be the last straw for the players but heads did not go down.

The back row of Tenniswood, Stevens and Paley, and before him Walton, covered every inch of territory and it was in fact Otliensians who were the first to score through Simon Coates.

The stand-off had had a sound game once again and receiving the ball in the middle of the Yarnbury 22 line dropped the perfect goal. Yarnbury added the final points with a penalty but to no avail, Otliensians winning by virtue of their two excellent tries.

For several years Old Otliensians have rounded off the season in a traditional Scottish Borders way with an internal Club Sevens tournament. This year some 40 players participated including a youth team from Otley organised by Allan Harker.

Initial games were in a round robin format with each team playing three games.

The young players from Otley soon set the benchmark in the first round games, completely blitzing an experienced team by five tries to two.

They were allowed room to move and made their superior pace and support work count against Dave Smith's combination. Andy Cooper's seven benefited from the pace of Adi Fawell and Alistair Monks and were undefeated in their group games. Having had the opportunity to assess the youth squad in action before playing them, they were able to close down their attacks.

Peter Bonner's seven, which included Simon Hawkins, took the same route against the youth squad and managed to win a tight game by 12-5 to enter the final.

Not to be outdone, the Youngsters of the Otliensians players arrived eager to participate and although many of them had 'tailor made' shirts for the occasion they insisted upon 'proper' shirts, which inevitably swamped them.

They played touch rugby games against their parents and the third placed team and showed some excellent touches of skill. The final inevitably was won by Andy Cooper's seven by four tries to one against Peter Bonner's seven. Andy in fact retained the trophy from last season. Adi Fawell was the outstanding three-quarter of the day and was presented with the Club Player-of-the-Year trophy. Peter Bonner was the outstanding forward of the day.

Tournament referees were Ken Barker and Gavin Pender from the North Yorkshire branch of the Yorkshire Referees Society and they officiated excellently throughout.

Following the game the Chairman Norman Coates' curry was enjoyed by all.

l This Saturday Otliensians play their final fixture of the season - a league game against Malton and Norton, kick-off 3pm.