7 days ago
Old Otliensians add to Twickenham glory with another trophy
Still on cloud nine from the joys of Twickenham only a week ago, Otliensians thrilled supporters when they dominated Wheatley Hills last Saturday to lift the Yorkshire Silver Trophy.
Back-to-back promotions, league champions, Twickenham champions and now Yorkshire Silver Trophy winners.
Confident from a recent win, Hills started the match with an unsustainable fervour but their eagerness soon resulted in several mistakes and penalties.
With a penalty just inside the oppositions 22 Ensians first attack started. Initially trying to bash their way through to no avail, Hills' big forwards tackled well. The only option was to spin the ball out wide and on the 4th phase Rob Lofthouse passed down the line to Jake Bentley. As was often the case Hills' back line was too flat, almost offside and Bentley easily found a gap.
With just the full back in his way, he bulldozed his way over the line to score. Converting his own try from far out right, securing the lead.
From the restart Hills asserted some good pressure. Their big inside centre taking play deep into Ensians half. Luckily his pass didn't find the winger and returned possession to the blues.
The ball found young winger Isaac Gillson, standing in at outside centre this week in the absence of Will Cooper. Isaac skirted down the left-wing taking play up to the half way line, releasing the pressure for now. Hills soon regained the lost ground, and their nimble scrum half sneaked into score. The converted try levelled the scores at 7 apiece.
From the kick, Hills' second row gathered cleanly and with ideas no-doubt 'above his station' he sent a long kick downfield straight to danger-man Luke Cowdell. 'Cowy' took play back up to the 10m line, before Alex Gillson continued the charge.
Tackled on the halfway line, the ball was quickly recycled with a long pass out to Bentley. Taking the pass on his boot laces, he did well to maintain his balance before passing on to Isaac Gillson in support. Still inside his own half, Isaac dummied right sending the defenders wide. He then stepped left into space and set off straight towards the line. With the full back and winger to beat, he cruised out wide into the corner to score. Seemingly unable to put a foot wrong Bentley's uncomfortable looking conversion crept over the bar to increase the lead to 14-7.
Still firing on all cylinders, Hills came straight back with a converted try to level the score at 14-all.
With their spirits lifted from the score, Hills sensibly kept possession this time and inched their way up field, but soon lost the ball in the tackle near the halfway line. Cowdell passed out to Lofthouse on the left and then the ball found Will Howarth on the wing.
This season Howarth has perfected his signature 'show-and-go' move; presenting the ball to his opponent like a waiter with a bottle of wine, before quickly withdrawing the prize and shooting down the wing. Leaving the would-be tackler wide mouthed in disbelief. Reminiscent of Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote.. 'Beep Beep'.
No doubt Wheatley knew all about the countries leading try scorer and made sure he was heavily marked. Soon surrounded, instead of being bundled into touch, Will cleverly kicked back infield for others to chase. Ensians tenacity was soon rewarded with a penalty just 10m out. A quick tap from Lofty was popped to Jay Walsh, who hit the line at pace.
Taking two men with him as he bundled his way over to score. Bentley's conversion typified his current form; not even needing to watch the ball sail through the sticks. The sound of the strike confirmation enough, as he turned back towards his teammates. At 21-14 Ensians couldn't afford to relax, as Hills were constantly pressing back. They were almost through for a 'leveller' but super tackling from Connor Bateman hindered their ambitions.
Still under pressure Harry Wales did well to stop Hills' oncoming flanker, allowing Eaves to 'pick his pocket' in the tackle. Quickly throwing over head to Cowdell who sent a super kick back upfield. Just a yard short of making a 50:22. The gains were sadly soon lost as Hills brought play back into Ensians half, but they couldn't manage to improve their tally before the halftime whistle blew.
No doubt with a stern team talk, Hills increased the pressure and caught their own kick from the restart, but Ensians' mettle shone bright as they met every attack head-on. For a good ten minutes they were forced to make tackle after tackle. Eventually Eaves relieved the pressure with a long kick to touch near the half way line. John Neal did well to steal the lineout and return possession to the blues.
The next phase saw young hooker Alex Gillson split the Hills back line, as he 'gassed' towards the try line. With Howarth to his left, he weighed up his options and sensibly passed left for Will to cover the remaining 20m to score. Again the conversion on target increased the lead to 28-14.
Moments later Ensians had to scramble to defend their line, as Hills forwards attacked. Miraculously the blues kept them out again and forced a goal line drop out. Bentley kicked long up to the halfway line, but sadly the ball glanced the chalk and was sent back for a 5m scrum. Eventually Hills passed the ball wide and their winger charged into the corner. The missed conversion set the score at 28-19 to Ensians.
Hills looked worn out, but the score gave them hope the game wasn't lost and from the restart they did well to drive play deep inside Ensians 22. On the eighth phase they lost the ball in the tackle and Cowdell quickly passed wide to Bateman. Connor took play from inside his own 22 into the opposition half, before releasing Haworth on the wing. Will shot down the left to score. Bentley's conversion again perfect, gave the blues a little breathing space with a 16-point lead.
The restart didn't go 10 and Hills were walked back for a scrum on the halfway line. A no.8 pickup from Cowdell, was passed on to Harry Bentley and then to Bateman. Hitting the line at full tilt, there was no stopping him. His score under the posts gave Bentley his easiest of the day.
At this point Wheatley's frustrations were understandable. They tried to fight back, but the wind wasn't in their favour. Seconds after the restart a hills knock on saw Cowdell scoop up the lost ball on his 10m line. He trampled over his much bigger opposite man and made a solo dash for the line. With defenders hot on his heels, he did well to make it 50m to score. The successful conversion marked Jake's 20th in a row over the last few matches and took the score to a respectable 49-19.
Ensians were relentless and soon Hills' composure cracked when their winger lost the ball in a perfectly timed tackle. The resulting melee should have seen a Hills man walk, but the referee decided a yellow card to each team would suffice.
With adrenaline pulsing through their veins Hills attempted a final attack, but again the blues held firm defending their line until the final whistle blew.
