Sat 19 Oct 2019
Old Otliensians, or "00" as we shall refer to them, are promotion contenders having spent last season in Yorkshire Two and posting impressive results in the first part of this season.
00 started the strongest with direct running from Connor Bateman who also kicked two early penalties. The first for a Baildon offside (0-3) and the second when the home team failed to release in the tackle. (0-6)
Baildon handling looked flaky but penalties gave the home side first territory, then a shot at goal kicked by Jake Duxbury. (3-6)
A Phil Wilson carry set up Josh "Crazy Legs" Strauss for a run who linked with brother Harrison "Sensible legs but foppish hair" Strauss. Although the move petered out it put Baildon in the right part of the field. A Jake Duxbury rip and steal saw a James O'Ryan stroll in under the posts for a try that Duxbury converted. (10-6)
Luke "Dodgy Hamstrings" Strauss had a run, but side entry at the ruck gave 00 another shot at goal. (10-9)
Speedy Dan Williams set off for the try line and might have scored but for a foot in touch. Baildon ended the half with a bizarre kick that I am reliably informed was a drop goal attempt. (10-9 HT)
The second half started with some beautiful rugby from 00. Licensed to thrill but not spill. I am reminded of the Morecambe & Wise comedy sketch where Eric Morecambe butchers Grieg's Piano Concerto. Andre Previn complains that Eric Morecambe is "playing all the wrong notes". "No" replies Morecambe "I am playing all the RIGHT notes, not neccesarily in the right order!" So it was with 00, they were playing all the RIGHT rugby but in the WRONG parts of the pitch, trying to play out of their own 22 when they might have been better trying for an exit.
Speedy Dan Williams put in the tackle of the match.
George Morris had a run for the try line but threw a speculative offload when it looked like he would make it.
00 got reward for their good rugby to take the lead through a penalty when Baildon came offside. (10-12)
Phil Wilson ripped a ball and Speedy Dan set off. 00 now came offside and Jake Duxbury took the points. (13-12)
Olli Murphy earned "Dick of the Day" for a holding penalty on the 00 scrum half at scrum time.
A James O'Ryan chip through went dead for a scrum back.
Crazy Legs, Foppish Fringe and George Morris combined, but were denied holding on at the breakdown to give away another penalty.
Now 00 were less 007 and more oo-errr missus, as they flung a loose pass. Matty Robinson was on the ball, hacking through and winning the foot race to dab down. Converted Duxbury. (20-12)
Jake Duxbury's boot put the home side in the right parts of the field again. The Baildon scrum had begun to show some dominance and a scrum penalty was taken. (23-12)
George Morris caught line out ball and OO players stood off trying to prevent the maul forming, Morris set off, drew defenders and popped to Josh Crazy Legs Strauss on his shoulder to send Strauss jinking and jiving over the whitewash. (28-12)
OO continued to show endeavour. Tapping and running a quick penalty, but the cover was good. (28-12 FT)
Man of the match was between Josh Crazy Legs Strauss, Speedy Dan Williams and George Morris.
Thanks to 00 for class rugby, both sets of supporters, our match officials, volunteers and sponsors.
Congratulations to our Second XV for a (12-31 FT) victory at Chaffers Fields.
