OTLIENSIANS.......16

CORINTHIANS.....11

OTLIENSIANS deservedly won this league encounter but the win was spoiled by a severe injury to their scrum-half and goalkicker Tim Swann.

Fifteen minutes into the second-half, the Otliensians' half-back made a fine break down the centre but in trying to jump over a low tackle clattered his right leg into the defender breaking both shin bones.

Swann could not be moved and indeed lay stricken and in much pain for nearly an hour while the emergency services tried to sort out whether to transport him by helicopter or ambulance.

Some hours later he underwent a six-and-a-half hour operation when the bones were re-set and a pin inserted from his knee to his ankle and bone splinters were removed from blood vessels.

The game almost seemed incidental but was continued on the adjacent pitch and to Otliensians credit they concentrated sufficiently to register a win.

They opened the game the stronger and play was concentrated in Otliensians 22 for the first five minutes. They made a good break out of defence and play moved upfield.

Otliensians were now dominating and excellent power driving by the forwards and in particular the back row led to an inspiring try by Mark Stevens on the left.

The kick failed but Otliensians were now in the driving seat and five minutes later Stevens drove over again but the try was disallowed.

Although Otliensians were the stronger in the mauls and driving forward they were occasionally being turned over by not claiming the loose ball.

Corinthians could now scarcely get into the home half and it seemed almost out of frustration that their kicker Carl Maynard attempted a drop goal from the half-way.The ball seemed to be struggling to make the kick look respectable but just reached and bounced over the cross bar for three points.

Maynard added a further three points with a penalty to put Corinthians into the lead at the break 6-5.

Otliensians had been struggling at times in the line-out in the first-half, not really being able to obtain much clean possession. This improved in the second-half the home side starting to dominate and some good pressure led to them taking the lead via a penalty, well converted by Swann.

Two minutes later he was to be lying in agony.

Play was moved to the adjacent pitch with Hugh Gumbs playing at stand-off and Simon Coates filling the scrum-half berth.

Play was a little disjointed but Otliensians if anything re-settled the better and Gumbs was closing the opposition forwards in with some good driving runs.

It was Gumbs who was to put the next points on the board with a power run bursting through the defence for the touchdown to put his side ahead at 13-6.

David Smith resuming kicking duties then converted a good penalty to leave Corinthians needing to score twice to win.

With only five minutes to go this seemed unlikely but against the run of play they produced a fine kick ahead into the corner and their right winger won the race for the touchdown.

The try went unconverted and Otliensians made sure the visitors did not add any further points to leave the final score 16-11.

l This week Otliensians travel to Sheffield Oaks for their 12th league game. Kick-off is 2.15 pm.

Leeds Corinthians A......8

Old Otliensians A...........5

For the first time for several weeks Otliensians were able to field a relatively strong side, together with several substitutes to visit Leeds Corinthians, a team they had not played for many seasons.

In the first-half, playing with the wind, Otliensians exerted strong pressure from the outset occupying the home side's half for long periods. The pitch, which was akin to a quagmire in several places, did not make for a flowing game of rugby. Notwithstanding their apparent dominance, Otliensians were unable to convert pressure into points.

Corinthians profited from a lapse in concentration from an otherwise excellent Otliensians defence and broke through the line to score a try which was not converted.

This was the only score in the first-half and immediately after the interval Otliensians attacked with some vigour and once again set up camp on the Corinthians line. A quick tap penalty taken by Brett Tenniswood was fed on to Steve Hammond who side stepped his way over the line with some nifty foot work.

Unfortunately, without a regular goal kicker the try was not converted and the score remained level. Thereafter, the sides remain locked in close contest with neither team being able to break the deadlock until the Otliensians conceded a penalty in front of their own posts, which they have done all too often this season, and Corinthians accepted this gift to make the score 8-5.

As is usual, with the second team displays this season, they came back strongly and in the dying minutes of the game, only good Corinthians defence prevented a score for the visitors.

Whilst a draw may have been a fairer result, Otliensians should be proud of their commitment and effort for a good team effort from all the players in a most enjoyable game. Increasing work commitments have meant that Fraser Ritson, who has captained the side well this season so far, will hand over the captaincy to Dave Evans for the remainder of the season. Dave has led the pack in excellent fashion in the last few weeks.