Otliensians 0, Leeds Corinthians 10

Otliensians opened this Yorkshire Three encounter with high hopes of reversing their defeat by Corinthians at Middleton earlier in the season.

They suffered some last minute changes with Matthew Payne suffering from flu and Fraser Ritson not surviving the warm up.

Hooker Andy Rockett gallantly stepped into the scrum-half spot. Although naturally getting drawn into the rucks and mauls and having to be assisted at times by a supportive back row he made a good fist of it and got the ball away well.

Within ten minutes there was a further forced change when club skipper Richard Smith, following several weeks inactivity, came on to replace the injured Tony Collins, who had taken on one plucky frontal attack too many.

With the assistance of a strong wind Otliensians spent much of the first period in the Corinthian half and much in fact inside their 22 metres. Plenty of possession was obtained but the ensuing forward drives, although making good ground, were just not penetrating a solid Corinthian defence.

Passing and handling in the backs was not always on song and with the quickly advancing Leeds defence Otliensians' threequarters frequently took man and ball and found their way barred.

Two penalty attempts at goal unfortunately went awry and indeed much against the run of play it was left to Corinthians to open the scoring with a penalty by Maynard just before half-time on one of their very few sorties into Otliensian territory.

Corinthians took advantage of the wind in the second-half to drive Otliensians back but some good line-out work by Brett Tenniswood and Dave Roberts denied them possession and there was some neat kicking into the wind by Ian Chaplin to relieve pressure.

For long periods there was some hard driving by the Otliensians' forwards first out of defence and then battering the Corinthian line, Richard Smith, Peter Bonner, Dave Roberts and Dave Smith leading the charges.

There was no way through and time and again they were turned on their heel by wind assisted but accurate touch kicking.

With only five minutes to the end of normal time Otliensians were robbed of a great opportunity when Roberts, having chased upfield, was wrongly penalised for a knock-on when the ball in fact ricocheted off his chest from an attempted Leeds clearance.

He had support and no Corinthian defence ahead but it was not to be.

Indeed a few minutes later following some good covering back by Brett Tenniswood, it was Corinthians who were to score when quick ball down the line drew in the defence for right winger Foster to go over, Maynard converting.

A frustrating result for Otliensians. If victory was based on endeavour they would have won by a mile. Every player worked hard, Richard Paley did a lot close in while Varo and Hayward tackled strongly in the backs. In fact it was probably over-eagerness that lost the game.

It was all a bit frantic at times. If they slow down the tempo on occasion and exert a little more control giving closer support to the ball carrier they will keep more possession and score points.

Otliensians' second team game on Saturday against Leeds Corinthians at Middleton was cancelled on Friday evening because the ground was frozen. Corinthians telephoned again on Saturday morning to let Otliensians know that the ground was now fit to play but by that time the Old Otliensians players had been told that the game was off.

l This Saturday Otliensians seconds have a merit table game against Hemsworth at home, kick-off 2.15 p.m.

For the season to date the leading try scorers for the second team are Jonathan Woods with five tries and Steve Lofthouse with four tries.