Old Otliensians 10 Thornensians 0
HAVING played only two first team fixtures since the start of December, Otliensians were relieved when their Chaffer's Field pitch – though quite wet – was declared fit.
With three games already re-arranged it was a bonus for Otliensians that their backlog wasn't increased on an afternoon when there were sleet showers and snow lying on the hills.
Otliensians started brightly with Jack Smith prominent in the line-outs. The forwards also took a scrum against the head.
A pivotal moment of the game came in the 15th minute when Declan Jackson made a neat kick ahead deep into the visitors’ 22. In following up he collided with two defenders and the ball broke loose as all three were left sprawling on the turf.
Dominic Oddy snapped up the ball to score a try between the posts which Jackson converted for a 7-0 lead.
For the next 20 minutes play was even. The home backs made some forays into Thornensians territory but their defence held. When the visitors attacked they were harassed into making errors.
The Otliensians' defence was outstanding with Ollie Eaves prominent.The home team’s fitness told in the last few minutes of the half with fine line-out ball and tight scrimmaging giving good possession to the backs were causing problems.
The pressure was rewarded with a penalty which Kristian Keinhorst converted for a 10-0 half-time lead.
The second half started with Thornensians spending much of the first ten minutes in the home 22. Firm defence was needed with Ali Cooper taking the visitors' line-out ball after a penalty while Kristian Keinhorst and Eaves produced some important clearance kicks.
Following a super tackle by Ollie Campbell the ball was turned over and a long kick by Zak Stead took play into the Thorn 22 for the first time in the half.
The rest of the match saw the home forwards put continuous pressure on the Thornensians pack. On the occasions when the backs came into play, Nathan Rogers and Declan Jackson combined to create panic in the visitors' defence but were unable to get over the line.
The victory was revenge for the early-season defeat Otliensians had suffered at Thorne
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