OORUFC Match Report
13th April 2024
OORUFC 20 vs 38 Northallerton
Ensians tested by Yorkshire 3 winners
Last Saturday Otliensians welcomed Northallerton in the opening game of the Papa John’s Trophy. The competition ending up in Twickenham for the privileged few next month.
Everybody knew facing Northallerton was going to be a big challenge, especially with a couple of key players missing. ‘North have dominated the league above this season, and are moving up to Yorkshire two in Sept.
Ensians were buoyant after their undefeated promotion season, so really had nothing to loose, and approached the game with high spirits.
More importantly this was an opportunity to send a message to the other teams in Yorkshire three, of what’s in store for next season. ‘North opened the scoring early on, with their heavy pack recycling well, and ‘trundled’ towards the line, on the first of several slow but unstoppable attacks.
Seventeen points down with only 15 minutes played the home side had to take stock, and formulate a plan.
Ensians looked good every time they had possession, and always made good inroads into ‘North’s half. On the twenty minute mark Jake Bentley broke down the centre, jinking from left to right, before passing out to centre Luke Cowdell in support. Cowdell was tackled 10m out, but managed to pass the ball overhead for flanker Ali Campbell to gather and open the scoring for the home side. Bentleys conversion sadly hitting the post. Keeping the momentum Cowdell set off on a solo attack moments from the restart, and scored a lovely try. Again the conversion wasn’t to be.
Ensians continued to pile on the pressure but sadly lost a man to a yellow card, as the ref deemed full back Will Cooper’s attempted interception an intended knock down. With a man down for the remainder of the half Northallerton knew what to do and camped in Ensians ‘22 until they managed to score again, courtesy of their prop. Their fly half kicked well all game and closed the half at 10:24 in their favour.
Otliensians started the second half well and looked dominant moving play towards the try line. Unfortunately a minor lapse of concentration saw the ball lost and Northallerton’s backs in possession. Their winger cruised down the right wing to score in the corner.
With a 21 point deficit, Ensians determination never wavered, and again piled on the pressure from the restart. Winger Harry Wales broke down the left chasing Bentleys chip over the top. Wales did well and grounded the ball, but unfortunately the referee disallowed the try, claiming the ball had been knocked on. From the goal line drop out, club stalwart Rob Arbuckle charged back towards the line. North tackled well, but after a series of drives, prop Luke Exley managed to barge his way through to score. With no conversion the scoreline read 15:38
Otliensians managed another try before the full time whistle from right wing Josh Haworth, closing the game at 20:38
The scoreline didn’t really reflect how tight the game was, just the smallest of margins shifting play each time. Ensians missed 3 tries and didn’t manage one conversion, whereas ‘North took all the extras from their tries, and when they looked like scoring they did.
North play an old fashioned style of rugby, where forwards and backs rarely mix, and one might think speak a different language. Their forwards were quite happy to keep the ball to themselves, and dominate possession. This worked well for them, but it certainly proved Otliensians deserve to be in Yorkshire 3 next season and will ‘ruffle some feathers’.
Ben Ritson