A DOMINANT display saw Old Otliensians defeat their South Yorkshire rivals Thornensians 40-24 on a glorious Saturday afternoon at Chaffers Field.

Having being promoted just below ‘Ensians last season, the home supporters were certainly expecting this to be a close, hard fought battle.

From the whistle, ‘Ensians set off with such determination it was difficult to keep track. From a clean line out, skilfully coordinated by young hooker Alex Gillson, the ball was flung wide to fly half, Sam Longfellow, and out to fullback Connor Bateman. Batemen opened his stride and galloped down the wing, evading two men, and scored under the posts. With only three minutes gone, centre Jake Bentley added the extras.

From the restart second row Jay Walsh gathered the ball, and set off back up field on the first of many attacking runs, hammering Thorns defensive line. The ball expertly set up for the backs to continue the attack. Winger, Will Howarth whizzed down the left side passed three defenders, before drawing the full back and cleverly popping the ball to Jake Bentley in support to score. Bentley’s conversion crept over the bar, to give the home side a 14-point lead.

This open fast play continued with Connor Bateman scoring his second try moments later. Bentley yet again finding the ‘sweet spot’ increased the lead to 21 points, with as many minutes played.

Thornesians managed to find some opportunities 25 minutes into the half. After a searching kick from their fly half, gifting a 50:22 in their favour, Ensians let their guard down and gave away a series of penalties. Opting for the scrum each time, Thorn eventually pushed their way over for the first of two tries. With both tries converted, on 40 minutes the score was 21-14 to ‘Ensians.

With moments left of the half, Thorn were keeping up the momentum and found themselves with another attacking line out deep into Ensians’ half. A fumbled clearance gave way to scrappy play that was eventually secured by Jake Bentley, who passed wide to Batemen on the right. Bateman handed off two tacklers and made a solo sprint from the halfway. With no way through he passed back in side for winger Josh Haworth to drift over under the posts. This time Longfellow added the easy extras, to close the half at 28-14.

From Thorn’s restart, flanker, Nathan Jones caught the ball and ran straight through the line of red and white shirts. Jones made a good 20m before passing out to his fellow flanker Ali Campbell. Campbell had a 40m race with three med on his tail. Luckily Campbell’s fitness paid off and he sailed over under the posts to score. Yet again Bentley’s conversion successful, increasing the lead to 35-14.

The game ebbed and flowed for the next 15 minutes until ‘Ensians had a scrum just inside Thorns half. As he whispered to his counter part Will Cooper, it was clear centre Bentley had a plan.

The ball came blind out to Cooper who sent a deft grubber kick into the corner for Bentley to chase and ground. A perfect plan, well executed. Sadly the conversion this time a little too far for Jake.

Despite being 26 points adrift, Thornensians didn’t accept defeat, and managed to score two more unconverted tries before the final whistle to make it 40-24, but on the day where dominated by the home team’s speed, fitness and strength.

Jay Walsh, Will Cooper and Connor Bateman all gave fantastic performances.

‘Ensians play Skipton away this Saturday.