Wath 30 Old Otliensians 19

Wath 30 Old Otliensians 19

Wath Gain Deserved Win

More injuries and unavailabilities left coach, Simon Lines, more headaches as he had to patch together a Wath team to play Old Otliensians, the team, at present, bottom of the league. The strength in depth within the club from the Development Team was stretched to the limit but proved just enough. On a muddy pitch the coach’s selection seemed to be successful as the home side made a confident start.

After 10 minutes winger, Rory Anderson, scored a trademark winger’s try as he used neat footwork and raw power to beat two men in a tight situation to touch down. Jack Whitlam’s conversion struggled into the wind and blew wide. Wath’s 5-0 lead was doubled with their next attack as strong drives from the forwards created room out wide. Luke Pendlebury, the acting captain, unselfishly passed the ball on to centre, Anthony Barratt, who had an easy run in. Whitlam’s attempted conversion was again blown off course, but Wath were looking comfortable with a 10-0 start.

A rib injury to the indefatigable Curtis Brownrigg forced him from the field to be replaced by James Dobson, who was the next to score. On the half hour mark he crossed the line unchallenged to finish off a passage of forward domination near the Otliensians’ line. Whitlam’s kick made the score 17- O, which stood until half time.

Wath were able to hold onto their lead for the first 10 minutes of the second half with 14 men as Tom Swift had received a yellow card in the last action of the first period. Back to their full compliment, a Jack Whitlam penalty increased Wath’s advantage to 20-0.

However, after 55 minutes, Wath’s comfortable lead was threatened. The Otliensians forwards produced a period of sustained pressure and eventually cracked the Wath defence to score a try near the posts. The simple conversion closed the gap to 20 -7. An interception try by Otliensians closed the gap to 20- 14 and the alarm bells began ringing. Concern was heightened as an Otliensians centre made a break from deep in his own half and showed great pace to score.
Fortunately, Wath’s cover defence forced him out wide and the conversion proved too much for their kicker.

With score at 20-19 the game entered the last 10 minutes and Wath managed to recover their forward dominance. From a 5 metre scrum Wath were awarded a penalty and chose another scrum. This happened twice more and the referee must have been close to awarding a penalty try, but the forwards relieved him of the need by driving over the line and No.8, Tom Swift, touched down between the posts. Another conversion by Whitlam gave the home team breathing space at 27-19, with just 5 minutes left.

A Jack Whitlam drop goal in the last minute produced a comfortable looking win at 30-19 but Wath players, coaches and spectators know that next week’s opposition, top off the table Goole, will provide a much sterner test. The match at Moor Road, Wath kicks off at 2.15.

Steve Corns