OTLIENSIANS.......8

barnsley...........7

FRASER Ritson returned to take the scrum-half berth in this first league game of the New Year for Otliensians - a game which produced their fifth successive league win.

Simon Coates reverted to stand-off with Chris Myers replacing the unavailable Tony Twist at prop and Dave Roberts coming into the second row for Hardie. Brett Tenniswood resumed at wing forward.

The strong wind blowing in off the Chevin saw the game open fairly evenly but Otliensians were soon having most of the territorial advantage. They found it difficult to turn this advantage into points and although the forwards battered the Barnsley defence they could not penetrate.

The backs almost gave the home side their first points when after ten minutes full-back David Smith with Will Haines in support on his outside made an excellent break. After selling a superb dummy he was unforunate to be brought down not far short of the line.

It was Otliensians full-back however who was to net the first points with a penalty from far out on the left. The kick seemed to be falling short but then took an extra surge to make it over the bar and put Otliensians into the lead.

The wind was making line-outs and handling difficult and this was not helped by frequent Barnsley barging in the lines but this seemed to go largely unnoticed.

Play was mainly in the Barnsley half and Otliensian pressure eventually brought another score after 35 minutes. The forwards gained good possession and Coates made a strong half break pulling in the Barnsley defence. Mark Stevens, backing up well, took the pass to go over. Unfortunately the conversion failed.

Otliensians were now in command but a fracas broke out just before the break and although there were miscreants on both sides only an Otliensian was sent off.

Skipper Richard Smith was unable to discuss the situation with the referee for several minutes due to a mouth full of blood and a suspected broken nose. He was unable to continue.

The teams turned round with Otliensians in the lead at 8-0 but with only 13 players on the park, Haines having been sin-binned. The pack was in some disarray. Richard Herns came in at hooker and Mark Stevens moved temporarily into the second row to be replaced by Richard 'Mescher' Smith to bring fresh legs to a depleted scrum and re-organise the line-out options.

Stevens had had an excellent game and was unlucky to be replaced through force of circumstances.

Barnsley came more into the game but the depleted Otliensians did not give up. The visitors found it hard to break down their strong defence until they suddenly realised they had more chance if they spread Otliensians wide.

The ball for once went quickly down the Barnsley line and the right winger found he had an overlap to beat the stretched cover. The try was converted to make it 8-7.

Surprisingly Barnsley did not continue to try to open up the game although to be fair, Otliensians stood up well to their task trying to keep play as close as possible. This seemed to be succeeding until seconds before full time the Barnsley stand-off went for the drop goal that would have given them the game. Otliensians supporters held their breath while the kick went just wide of the posts to leave Otliensians deserved winners.

l On Saturday Otliensians visit Bramley Phoenix Park and hope to extend their eight match unbeaten run in the league but games are never easy at the Warrels and they will have to work hard to do so. Travelling support would be greatly appreciated.

Barnsley A.............20

Otliensians A...........7

With the usual winter and post-Christmas ailments afflicting many players, for their visit to Barnsley Otliensians Seconds were glad to welcome back Peter Bonner, currently working in London, but who will now be available most weeks.

Having lost a close encounter at home in November, Otliensians were keen to reverse the result and were soon on the attack winning the majority of possession in the first 25 minutes but had little to show for their endeavours apart from two missed penalty chances.

Barnsley began to play a more expansive game and with Bonner's over-eagerness earning him ten minutes in the sin-bin, they scored an unconverted try followed by a penalty late in the first-half to give them an 8-0 lead at the break.

As always, the second XV came back strongly at the start of the second-half with Simon Dykes prominent in a good back row of Jamie Lawson and Dave Evans.

However, the experience of the Barnsley side began to tell and they scored a further try.

Otliensians hit back in fine style in the last quarter when Tony Collins, currently in good form, picked up a loose ball some 60 metres out and outsprinted the defence to score a well deserved try which Matt Tenniswood converted.

At 7-13 the home side were under pressure but experience told and in the very last minute Barnsley scored a further try which was converted.

The team did well to compete effectively in all phases but as always the different weekly compositions take time to settle down.

The seconds play Bramley at home on Saturday and are keen to improve on their early season defeat at The Warrels.