Wharfedale Rams 16 Otliensians 15 ALTHOUGH scoring two tries to one, Otliensians went out of the Powergen Junior Vase by a single point on Saturday at Threshfield.

With a side showing four changes from the previous week, one being due to injury to skipper Richard Smith, Otliensians whilst looking a little disorganised at times in defence always appeared strong enough to win this second round cup tie.

They opened well enough with some strong and accurate touch kicking by Dave Smith penning the home side back. They went into an early lead when a penalty decision was reversed in their favour through Wharfedale back chatting, the kick being beautifully converted by Matt Tenniswood.

Wharfedale were looking dangerous in the first quarter with some strong peeling round the scrums but Otliensians' back row with Peter Tempest in particular, were able to snuff this out with some dour tackling.

Otliensians' backs were seeing plenty of ball with the forwards working hard in loose and tight and getting their fare share of line-out possession via Brett Tenniswood and Dave Roberts.

Following an excellent break by Tony Collins, Jamie Pinguenet scored a fine try with a dodging run through the centre beating several men and scoring from 20 metres out.

Matt Tenniswood converted to put Otliensians 10-0 up.

With play now evenly balanced Wharfedale pulled seven points back after half an hour with a good break by their centre to go over close to the posts. The centre converted his own try and added a further three points close to half-time. to level it at 10-10.

After the break Otliensians came out fired up and exerted strong pressure on the Rams' line with some power driving by their forwards.

After 12 minutes they achieved the breakthrough when Peter Bonner was driven over for the try by the rest of the pack. Unfortunately the kick just failed.

Play was rather untidy on both sides and there were numerous breakdowns in passing and handling that interrupted the flow. This was not helped for Otliensians when Tony Collins had to retire with a bang to his already injured shoulder.

Dan Ridgway came on as replacement but this necessitated Rob Arbuckle going out into the backs.

The Rams pulled three points back with a penalty but Otliensians' defence was holding up and they looked good for victory until five minutes before the end when the referee awarded a penalty not far from the posts.

This was duly converted to put the home side into the lead for the first time. Otliensians fought back and Jamie Pinguenet had a good run down the wing only to be stopped five metres short.

A disappointing result for Otliensians who worked hard all game. They do however need to be in closer support of the man driving through and be more positive with their driving in at the breakdown.

Nevertheless they are beginning to look a little fitter than they were a few weeks ago and are working very hard in bursts. With just a little more individual and collective endeavour they can turn these narrow defeats into wins.

l On Saturday they visit Wath-on-Dearne who are mid-table in Yorkshire Three and were beaten home and away last season by Otliensians. Kick-off 3pm.