OTLIENSIANS 0 Cleckheaton 63

AFTER their recent run of success Otliensians faced a very strong fixture with Cleckheaton riding high in North East Two. It was hoped that a full squad would be available but this was not the case as six players were unavailable.

Playing into the wind in the first-half the opening exchanges were fairly even and Otliensians' pack did well in the set pieces. It was obvious that Cleckheaton's greater experience in recycling the ball may become a problem.

The visitors opened the scoring after 15 minutes with three further tries, two conversions and a penalty to take a 27-0 lead at half-time.

In the second-half it was much the same with Otliensians exerting some pressure but being unable to turn it into points as they met a rock solid defence.

As the game wore on Cleckheaton took more and more control. With their back row relishing the amount of second phase possession they received. In the last 20 minutes they took control scoring six more tries, three of which were converted.

Cleckheaton A 28 Otliensians A 16

Suffering from first team calls the seconds took a depleted side to Cleckheaton but there was nothing second rate about their performance.

Every man pulled his weight and provided stern opposition. They opened the scoring with a drop goal by Ian Lawrence followed by a penalty by Hugh Jones to give them a 6-0 lead after 15 minutes.

With Cleckheaton throwing everything into attack Otliensians' defence was tested but marshalled by Alistair McRae in the centre they did a fine job.

Cleckheaton however managed to work an overlap for an unconverted try.

Otliensians increased their lead with a try by Hugh Jones which he also converted.

Cleckheaton scored a converted try before the break to leave them just one point in arrears.

In the second period Cleckheaton's pack asserted their authority and were quite a handful. They took the lead for the first time with an unconverted try followed by two penalties.

Otliensians replied with a penalty of their own but in the dying minutes Cleckheaton scored a further try to give them a margin of victory which flattered them.

Each member of the Otliensians side could look back with satisfaction on a job well done.

Otliensians B 15 Cleckheaton B 22

The spirited fightback in the second-half, when Otliensians looked much the stronger side, narrowly failed to overhaul the lead established by Cleckheaton who exploited their overwhelming numerical supremacy to take a 17-3 interval lead.

With two players failing to make it for kick-off Otliensians were further handicapped when hooker Simon Spensley was taken to hospital with concussio after five minutes.

Otliensians' 12 men struggled to contain their opponents but it took Cleckheaton 20 minutes to get on the scoresheet.

Otliensians kicked a first-half penalty through centre Preepal Bachra.

The second-half could not have started better for Otliensians with flanker Steve Montague cleverly chesting the ball to the ground before gathering it to break through the defence.

When checked 25 yards from the line fly-half Matthew Dykes was on hand to receive the pass and finish the move. Bachra's conversion got Otliensians back into the game.

There was sterling commitment all round but especially from the forwards who managed to secure enough possession largely due to the efforts of Man-of-the-Match Ian McCormack.

Winger Richard Brook scored a try to level the scores but despite having a greater share of the possession and territory in the final quarter Otliensians were denied any further score.

To the relief of the visitors a late breakthrough try saved them from further embarassment.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.