Bramley 3

Old Otliensians 12

Old Otliensians faced a difficult game at Bramley on Saturday and were determined to maintain their 100 per cent league record against a team recently relegated from Division Three.

It wasn't long before Otliensians' pack stamped their authority on the game, securing good ball for the half-backs Matty Birch and Kris Keinhorst.

It was from one of their first skirmishes into the Bramley half that the irrepressible Birch launched one of his classic chip kicks over the Bramley defence.

Jonathan Woods looked to have arrived first to gather the ball on the first bounce but the surprisingly hard ground saw the ball bounce well over his head.

However, Matty Birch, following up his own kick, gathered skillfully and twisted and turned to squeeze in at the right-corner. All this after only four minutes.

Such an exciting opening to the game should have led to further demonstrations of players showing off their talents but unfortunately this was not to be the case. The game became a dour forward battle, both packs defending heroically every time the opposition got close to their try line. Only a Bramley penalty kept the game alive.

The Chaffer's Field side spoilt three or four good scoring opportunities but when Bramley stormed back on their home patch they found the visitors' defence resolute.

Scoring was not going to be an easy matter then and the next score surprised many. Otliensians' forwards were driving at the Bramley line but really making little headway when up popped Andy Hayward, last week's outstanding try scorer.

He added the cutting edge and had the Bramley defence grasping at this shadow as he thrust his way through a melee of players, to score between the posts, Will Foster converting. The half-time score of 12-3 was a sound cushion for Otliensians to build on.

The second-half, however, was a series of stoppages with injury following injury on both sides. Otliensians lost Richard Paley with a knee injury and this was followed by a re-occurrence of an ankle injury for the powerful James Bush.

In the meantime, Bramley were forced to make three replacements and the game lost much of its impetus. Rob Grey came on for David Smith (eye injury) who had an outstanding game at full-back, marshalling his defence and kicking for touch with tremendous assurity.

Captain Richard Smith, was once again a huge influence. His leadership and driving enthusiasm brings the best out of all his players and on this form the Otley side can remain focussed and confident that a successful season is on the cards.

The first XV are not playing this weekend and hope that the rest will help solve some of the mounting injury problems.

Old Otliensians A 54

Bramley A 0

The display put on by the Otliensians seconds in the Merit Table game against Bramley really lit up a gloomy wet day at Chaffer's Field.

Kicking-off with the advantage of the breeze the home pack won the ball on the left. Good handling across the field saw wing Richard Cuff surge for the line to score wide out with stand-off Martin Greaves converting.

Immediately, Otliensians attacked from the kick-off and a kick and chase saw centre Jason Babb gain the touchdown with Greaves again converting.

The visitors forwards were no match for the rampant Otliensians' pack who were clearly inspired by their backs who soon whipped the ball wide for Cuff to score his second try, Greaves again converting.

This gave Otliensians a 21 point lead after only eight minutes but to their credit Bramley hung in there as best as they could but they were not able to compete with the speed of the home side.

Another fine move saw centre Babb shred the Bramley defence, ride a high tackle and get the ball away for Cuff to score his third try within 25 minutes, Greaves again converting.

Greaves, with the help of his half- back partner, were dominating play and a quick move from the base of a scrum in their half saw Greaves break and after several pairs of hands Ben Smith scored, Greaves converting.

With a lead of 28-0 at the break the home side eased up a little at the start of the second-half and Bramley put a little pressure on their line.

However, this did not last for long. The pack won good ball deep in their own half which found its way to Babb who again wreaked havoc to score from 40 metres. Shortly after skipper Brett Tenniswood broke from a deep position, the ball inevitably found Babb who made yet another break before putting his supporting No 8 in for a try, Greaves converting.

Bramley kept trying but it was not their day. Cuff made ground wide on the right to half way before quick hands found Mattie Tenniswood on the left who scored wide out.

The final score of the try feast belonged to Greaves who scored on the right and converted.

On Saturday the seconds are at Knaresborough.

Old Otliensians B 15

Aireborough B 31

Aireborough came back from a half-time deficit to beat their local rivals for the first time in many years.

Otliensians were soon on the attack and Sam Ridgeway scored under the posts. Aireborough responded immediately and scored a try by Mike Tully from a five metre scrum, which was converted by Phil Sharpe.

Whilst the visitors pack were showing signs of bettering the Otliensians' forwards their backs certainly looked were dangerous and they soon added another converted try to their tally, an arcing run under the posts from full- back Jon Sellers. Man-of-the-Match Sharpe again converted.

Sam Ridgeway at scrum-half for Otliensians was trying to inspire his pack who drove upfield to pressurise the visitors' line and stand-off Adie Fawell kicked a penalty.

Otliensians continued their good period with Chris Hayward, Dan Ridgeway and Dave Bateman at full- back to the fore. The pressure resulted in probably Otliensians best move of the game with right wing Tom Broadbent scoring in the corner.

Otliensians held a narrow lead of 15-14 at the break.

In the second-half the more experienced Aireborough XV steadily broke down the resilience of the home side scoring two further tries and a penalty.

A rejuvenated Bob Middleton showed great strength and elasticity to touch down. This was followed by another try by Adrian Wedgewood, who for the first time this season actually caught the ball and finished off a flowing backs move. Once again Sharpe converted both.

Otliensians lost Stuart McIlwraith with a bad head injured.

For Aireborough the front row of Sweetman, Granville Sellers and Wilkinson provided a good platform for scrum-half Gaunt. Second-row Coric, foraged well winning some good ball, and he linked up well with young Jonny Hanson and the No 8.

The teams were grateful to Graham Dyson for agreeing to referee the game and he had an excellent first game at club level

l On Saturday Otliensians thirds are scheduled to be away at Roundhegians.