Leeds Corinthins 49

Otliensians 10

OTLIENSIANS lost this encounter at Middleton by seven tries to two. The score summed up the game, Otliensians forwards being capable of providing enough endeavour for two tries to be scored but the defence not being sufficiently well marshalled to keep out the strong running Corinthian backs.

There were four changes in the backs due to unavailability. Corinthians opened the scoring within five minutes when despite mishandling in the centre they recovered to snatch a try before Otliensians' backs could take advantage.

Two penalties by the home side followed, the first an excellent kick from close to half-way but the second was a dubious effort when it appeared to pass over the top of the right hand post.

Corinthians looked the better balanced side in the first quarter and after 25 minutes their second row took advantage of an Otliensian lapse at the line-out to dive over for an unconverted try.

This seemed to sting Otliensians into action and for the next ten minutes the forwards battered the Corinthians' line going close to scoring on several occasions. Eventually their pressure told and with a good drive from the home pack, Chris Ball achieved the deserved touchdown.

Against the run of play in injury time the Leeds right winger made a good break down the touch and whilst seemingly knocking the corner flag post in trying to avoid the cover defence was awarded a try to increase the lead to 21-5 at the break.

Strong tackling Peter Tempest was brought on for the second-half and to begin with Otliensians' defence held out. Corinthians were however producing some very good rugby at times and within 12 minutes ran in two tries to virtually seal the match, both being converted.

Otliensians were taking too much time in possession to make their decisions and were not clearing their lines fast enough in defence. They suffered directly from this when a chargedown kick led to another converted try.

Shortly before this Otliensians had lost Sam Ridgway with a broken nose, the full-back being replaced by veteran Simon Coates.

A final Corinthian try was probably their best with some excellent running and passing. Otliensians however kept going to the final whistle and shortly before the end were rewarded when an excellent break by skipper Richard Smith put Dave Smith over for a deserved try, the fly-half backing up well.

Otliensians need to improve their line-out work, particularly in contesting the opposition ball, and to ensure players support the driving man in the loose.

In defence they also require to clear their lines by touch kicking with a greater urgency.

A disappointing afternoon for Otliensians. There is plenty of good team spirit however and with a little more fitness to improve their suppprt play and covering they can still turn this early part of the season round.

l On Saturday Otliensians entertain old rivals Bradford Salem at Pool Road, kick-off 3 pm. All support welcome.

Otliensians A 10

Leeds Corinthians A 38

Kicking-off with a slight cross-field breeze Otliensians were soon pressurising a far more experienced Corinthians side and after ten minutes full-back Will Haines gave the home side a well deserved lead.

With Roy Appleyard gaining some clean line-out ball Otliensians were able to maintain the upper-hand although they were being pushed around in the set scrums.

However, much of the good ball was wasted with indiscriminate kicking and one such kick on the Leeds 22 metre line was gratefully accepted by the visitors' centre who outpaced the cover to score a try which was converted.

This triggered off a series of attacks from the very competent Leeds backs but it was Otliensians who scored next. Steve Wilson at No 8 effectively locked a scrum some eight metres from the Leeds line, picked up and drove before putting scrum-half Peter Gilson over with a neat reverse pass. Haines converted.

Leeds hit back quickly and a good back move saw them score wide out. For the last ten minutes of the half play was all Otliensians who were camped near or over the visitors' line but just could not get the ball down leaving the visitors with a fortunate 10-12 lead at the break.

Corinthians were soon attacking with flair in the second-half, scoring three tries in 12 minutes, two of which were converted, to take a 10- 31 lead.

The home side re-grouped and were the equal of the visitors but could not score from several good attacking positions. Simon Varo at centre ran and tackled well and Gillson was indefatigable at scrum- half.

However, missed tackles often allowed Corinthians to re-assert their attacking game plan and almost on the final whistle their full-back broke from in his own half to add a further seven points.

Thus a lot of promise from this young side in a game much closer than the score would suggest.