Otley RUFC 33 v York RUFC 10

Match Report by Jack Sinclair
Saturday 4th September 2021

It is very difficult to overstate the significance of this fixture for both teams, the first post-Covid league match. Otley, 9 times Yorkshire Cup winners, relegated from National leagues only on bonus point difference, and York, playing at this level for the first time in their history, all this on the historic Cross Green ground where the Northern Districts had beaten the All Blacks way back in 1979. It was a pity that “Big Al” Robertshaw was not present to witness the occasion.

York kicked off and Fox led a good follow up but Otley cleared well and good forward driving saw York basically having to defend strongly. Goulding was prominent with strong tackles and Frank showed determination for York in their occasional attacks. The pattern of Otley’s play became fairly clear, win the line out, force a rolling maul and if that fails run it down the backs. York defended well until they were penalised just outside the 22 metre line and No10 Irvine converted, via the post. (3-0). The restart was well supported but Otley knocked on. However, from the ensuing scrum, York lost possession and Otley established their attacking base in York’s half with some good side to side movement. York were now conceding penalties under pressure, but against the run of play they broke out with some neat passing which freed up winger Elliot who rounded his man neatly only to be “taken out” by No 10 Irvine, which resulted in a penalty for York, converted by Cusack and a yellow card for Irvine. (3-3).

York failed to properly clear the restart with a scrambled touch kick, and from the line out, there followed the inevitable maul and then some neat interchanges amongst the backs. Desperate York defence saw Otley over the line but “held up”. However, the referee then went back and awarded a penalty against York for an earlier infringement. The same routine, line out, maul and spread but this time winger Law crossed in the corner for an unconverted try. (8-3). Following the restart Otley contrived to be offside on their own kick ahead. Cusack went for the corner and York then tried to spread the point of attack only to be penalised on the ground. However, this marked the start of a little period when York really assumed some dominance. Again, Cusack’s torpedo kick forced Otley to carry over their own line giving York a 5 metre scrum. Otley were penalised, York went for the reset, but eventually lost possession just a couple of metres short. In the subsequent scrum York were penalised and Otley got in a good relieving kick and York’s moment was passed.
Just before the half closed, York’s Maud, who had enjoyed a storming game, causing chaos to the Otley mauls, was yellow carded for a high tackle. The resultant penalty saw Otley No7 cross the line for an unconverted try, which effectively brought the half to a close. (13-3).

York took the restart well and after a couple of probing darts, spread the ball through the backs only to be penalised again on the ground. This really had become a recurring theme. Otley with the man advantage went for the corner, rolling maul and No 4 Mitchell was over for another unconverted try. (18-3). This really was a body blow, but York never gave up and one slick blind side move with Atkin and Hessay, got to within a yard of the Otley line. However, the home side were adept at snuffing out these attacks, either that, or York themselves infringed. The pressure could not be maintained.

Otley by now were playing with great confidence and York were very lucky to escape when Otley’s Irvine skipped past two tiring forwards, and with only full back Hessay to beat, somehow was collared by Goulding and the danger was temporarily avoided. Still the attacks came and with probably a 3 man overlap, an Otley mis-pass was well collected by Sam Elliot who, pursued by “half of Otley”, made the 70 yard dash to score under the posts. Cusack converted. (18-10).

There followed a period of broken play and with York’s defence visibly tiring, Otley’s Law was through to score under the posts for a try converted by Irvine. (25-10). Shortly afterwards the kicker was again successful with a penalty for a high tackle. (28-10). The last ten minutes tended to be one way with the Otley No10 choosing his moment to weave his way to the line for the final converted score. (33-10). Having said that, York came close to a consolation try at the death when Otley lost Cooper for repeated infringements in stopping the York drives just a yard short.

It was overall a slightly disappointing result but one on which the York coaching staff can build. They know that they have reinforcements in the wings and if they can solve the riddle of the “infringements on the ground”, the season could be set fair. I suspect also that the return match at Clifton Park will hold no terrors for the York side.