LAST Saturday Otliensians welcomed Burley RUFC to Chaffers Field.

Having beaten Leeds Corinthians earlier this season, Burley were certainly going to be a tough opponent and pressured the home team from the start.

With only two minutes on the clock, Burley’s outside centre split the defence and cruised into score their first converted try.

Luckily, Ensians responded quickly with a superb break from speed merchant Will Howarth. With three men to beat, Howarth had to jink and step his way to the line. Sam Longfellow added the extras, to level the score at 7-7, with only five minutes played.

This electric start to the contest was a sign of things to come, with both sides playing their part in another thrilling contest.

At 35-24 to the hosts with just five minutes to go of the match, Howarth added a fourth converted try to his personal tally, and Burley had a consolation score in the corner. Closing the match at 45-32 to Otliensians.

Handling errors plagued Otliensians during the next 15 mins of the game, and gifted Burley the upper hand. Their ‘mullet haired’ fly half quick to take advantage, scored two tries, pushing them into the lead at 7:21 on the twenty minutes mark. Ensians kept their ‘heads up’ and battled on. Excellent tackling from Luke Exley and Alex Gillson kept the home team in contention, and powerful nr 8 Jay Walsh made some excellent forays upfield.

On the half hour mark, Will Howarth found himself with just enough space to evade his opposite winger, and zipped down the wing again to score his second try. Bentley again added the extra two and closed the gap to only 7 points.

Burley clung onto the lead for the remainder of the half, adding another three points with a penalty kick. The half closed at 14:27.

The second half was thankfully a different storey. Perhaps fitness guru and flanker Ali Campbell gave some words of wisdom, or maybe a simple dressing down from captain Exley, but something ‘clicked’ and it was visible to see; the boys started to look hungry. Winning possession from their own restart the blues piled on the pressure, and pinned Burley into their half until they were rewarded with a try.

Following a line out young full back Spencer Wood carved his way down the middle of the field, drawing two men before passing wide to Howarth, who cruised in for his third. Once again Bentley added the extra 2 points.

Now only 3 points adrift Ensians ‘turned the screw’ and played some expansive rugby, attacking everything. From the restart Ethane Heade gathered and charged forward, taking play up towards halfway. Walsh recycled and galloped forward, with what looked like 5 men dangling off him unable to take him to ground. Bentley then split the back line, before passing out to Spencer Wood, who this time, backed himself in the race for the line. With a swan dive next to the post to complete the move. This time Longfellow converted, giving ‘Ensians the lead for the first time in the match.

From the restart Longfellow’s precise right boot took play deep inside Burleys half.

At this point in the game, we saw ‘powerhouse’ George Martin come on to prop alongside Mikey Groves, replacing injured Exley. Now playing with some confidence the forwards recycled well, and were soon rewarded with a try from Grovesy. Longfellow increased the lead to 35:24.

A successfully kicked penalty for each team maintained the margin, but the home side were determined to win, and the opposition sensed this.

Before the final whistle Howarth had added a fourth converted try to his personal tally, and Burley had a consolation score in the corner. Closing the match at 45:32 to Otliensians.