OTLIENSIANS 25

BRAMLEY PHOENIX 13

HAVING the advantage of the strengthening breeze Bramley took the early initiative but although they exerted pressure there was never any serious threat to the home defence.

On their first visit to the Bramley 22 the visitors were penalised and Matthew Tenniswood gave the home side the lead.

This was shortlived as Bramley then spotted the poor alignment of the home defence and ran through unopposed to score.

With Bramley still on the attack they increased their lead with a penalty goal but this was nullified when Otliensians' pack took play to the Bramley line and a succesful rolling maul took Jonny Hendry over.

This took the sides to half-time level, a satisfactory position for Otliensians as they had played into the wind in the first-half.

The result was virtually sealed in the first 20 minutes of the second period when Otliensians' pack took almost complete control with Michael Wilson dominating the line-out and the excellent understanding between scrum-half Neil Birkett and No 8 Andy Cooper kept the visitors fully stretched.Otliensians took the lead after another rolling maul with a try by Richard Paley . This was followed by a similar effort from Andy Hayward and another from Steve Wilson. The latter converted by Matthew Tenniswood.

Bramley scored a consolation try late in the game so the home side could be well satisfied with a satisfactory start to the league campaign. to celebrate the fact that it was 50 years to the day since the club was re-formed after the war.

Bramley Phoenix A 28

Otliensians A 12

This was a closely contested game enjoyed by both teams.

With the home side having almost complete domination of the set scrums Otliensians were confined largely to defence.

They did this quite successfully and through their superiority in the line-out with good displays by Brett Tenniswood and Darren Hardie they were able to keep the score within bounds.

Their points came from a typical Mark Sellars try and an excellent individual effort from Matthew Dykes.

The scoring was completed with a conversion by Roy Aldridge.

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