Gritty Otliensians

OTLIENSIANS........14

OTLIENSIANS made two changes from the previous week for the visit to Malton, Simon Coates coming in at stand-off for the injured Ian Chaplin and Simon Coxon on the right wing for the unavailable Matt Tenniswood.

The visitors, after a good warm up session with new coach Hugh Gumbs, opened strongly but were knocked back by a good Malton try after only four minutes. Brett Tenniswood had made an excellent break of 30 yards weaving through the Malton defence to set up a maul which gave good possession to Otliensians' backs. With a flowing move to the left flank the visitors were looking good with an excellent attack. However, possession was lost and the powerful Malton right winger pounced and with a strong run two thirds the length of the field went over at the corner but touched down behind the posts to give an easy conversion.

This was not the last time that hard won possession was to be wasted by Otliensians. However, after 15 minutes skipper Andy Rockett made an excellent break inside the Malton half and with about 20 yards to the try line fed Simon Coates who with a strong run went over by the posts.

David Smith added the conversion to bring the sides level.

Within five minutes Otliensians deservedly went ahead Simon Coates being involved making a good break in the centre, the ball eventually being fed to Tim Butcher who crossed the line well out but touched down behind the posts to give David Smith another easy conversion and Otliensians the lead at 14-7.

Otliensians at this stage were good for their lead and had been tackling well with Rob Wilks in particular putting in two good tackles. However, this was not maintained and the number of mis-tackles began to grow. This added to a lack of cover on the left led to a further Malton try.

The touchdown was kept well out towards the touchline by some well thought harrying by Tim Swann and sure enough the wide out kick failed.

There was some further poor tackling before half-time when Malton were nearly let in but the defence held out and with some enterprising forays into the Malton half they deservedly went into the break leading 14-12.

Otliensians were unfortunate to lose their experienced tight head prop Chris Baldwin shortly before half-time with a back injury. He was replaced by Peter Bonner.

The second-half began hopefully for the visitors with some strong forward play by Twist, Rockett, Arbuckle and Richard Smith and some thrustful running by Bawden in the centre. Malton were determined to reverse the lead and pressed strongly. They manged to edge in front with a penalty but Otliensians tackled well at times but were beginning to look vulnerable.

Ten minutes before the end Malton scored a try by their prop who broke from a maul to go over in the left corner. The kick failed and with only a converted try still needed Otliensians put everything into their game but it was not enough and just on time Malton sealed the win with an easy penalty.

Otliensians had battled well with the forwards on occcasion gaining good possession and the backs moving well with some good handling. They seemed to run out of steam a little and perhaps fitness was an element in their defeat.

However, a far larger element in their defeat was the referee. It is not often that this correspondent moans about the man in the middle but on thisa occcasion some of the importnant decisions against Otliensians were a little peculiar to say the least and the greater number of offences than average by Malton went unpunished.

Once again line-out ball was a problem and needs some further attention. This was however a gritty and at times flowing performance by Otliensians.

DUTCH TOURISTS VISIT

l A combined team from the Smugglers and Haarlem Rugby Clubs in Holland visit Otley this weekend and are entertained by Otliensians on Saturday.

They are old friends of the club having hosted the club's tours to Holland for many a year and strong friendships have been forged.

An Otliensians XV will play the tourists at Pool Road on Saturday and there is a meal for the tourists afterwards with no doubt a few pints consumed too.

It is hoped Otliensians' club members, particularly those who have toured in previous years, will give a memorable night to the tourists.

The game itself kicks-off at 3 pm as does the first XV match v Moortoiwn at Pool Road.

O Otliensians A...........27

Malton/Norton............34

DUE to first team calls and injury, Otliensians had to make three changes for the visit of Malton. Steve Hammond filled a vacancy on the wing, newcomer Tony Hudson came into the back row and Richard Paley took on the hooking duties.

It was clear from the outset that Malton were a big, well-organised side and, with the breeze behind them, they put Otliensians under pressure from the kick-off.

Their forwards drove into the lighter home pack and quick possession saw the visitors score a try halfway out in the first few minutes, which was converted.

Otliensians buckled down to the task, but the strong opposition back row were linking up well with their backs. In the next 15 minutes Malton made good use of a plentiful supply of ball to score three further tries, two of which were converted, to give them a 24-0 lead halfway through the first period.

The home side were gradually coming more into the game and during one of several excursions into the Malton half, fly-half Wayne Palmer struck a good penalty to put Otliensians on the scoresheet. Malton immediately responded to score under the posts. The conversion and a penalty soon afterwards gave the visitors a 34-3 lead as half-time approached.

At this stage experienced forward Michael Wilson was substituted and his size immediately added stability to the home forwards. Good ball was fed to Otliensians' backs and centre Andy Hayward set off from his own half on a weaving run which took play deep into the Malton 22.

Support was there and the ball was moved across to young winger Andy Jackson to score a fine try in the corner. The conversion failed, leaving Otliensians with a 34-8 deficit at half-time.

At the break, Peter Gillson took over at scrum-half and Steve Lofthouse was a replacement on the wing.

The Otliensians pack began to dominate with Michael Wilson and Richard Paley producing good line-out ball and the back row lead by Peter Tempest being a constant threat in defence and attack. After pressurising Malton on their own line, Otliensians took a tapped penalty and No 8 Mark Stevens forced his way over under the posts. Wayne Palmer added the conversion.

It was now Malton's turn to defend as the Otliensians' backs made good use of a steady supply of possession.

A miss-move saw centre Andy Hayward cut through to score near the posts and the conversion reduced the visitor's lead to 12 points with ten minutes to go.

Malton rallied at this stage, but after some good work by full-back Jamie Bannister and Peter Gillson, Otliensians ended up on the attack again and Michael Wilson drove through to score half-way out.

The conversion failed leaving the home side seven points adrift with three minutes to go, but further pressure could not produce another score.

This was a good turn-around by Otliensians when they looked as though they would be overwhelmed and despite a 27-34 defeat, the good spirit produced an enjoyable game.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.