Pythons tamed by Otliensians
The visitors’ kick-off was collected by Matt Leach who set the tone with a strong driving run.
‘Ensians’ first possession was well dealt with by winger Dorian Ennequin who wrong footed his opposite number to clear the danger.
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Hide AdThe away side then forced an attacking line-out which was won by Hugh Tatlow and Jed Wolfram cleared his lines.
From another attacking line-out, ‘Ensians this time went for the catch-and-drive but strong ‘Gate defence resulted in the visitors being penalised for holding on.
Joe Bentham then made a break from a scrappy line-out, which was carried on by Tatlow and Steve Smith, but in the horrendous conditions the move ended with a knock-on.
Tatlow then broke again and shipped on to Luke Price-Gerrard, however his pass was intercepted by the ‘Ensians winger who got bogged down in the mud and was eventually caught by Matt Halpin.
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Hide Ad‘Ensians were then penalised in midfield but Wolfram’s penalty attempt fell short of the posts.
Max Sharp next made a break, again carried on by Tatlow, but again the Pythons’ progress was hampered by a knock-on.
‘Ensians went for another catch-and-drive from an attacking line-out, but were this time penalised for obstruction in the maul to leave the half -time score 0-0.
‘Gate started the second period on the front foot with driving runs from Leach and Jack Clarkson.
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Hide AdA grubber kick from Bentham was defused on the ‘Ensians line by the alert away full-back, who scrambled away a clearance.
Having weathered the Pythons storm, ‘Ensians worked their way up the pitch, keeping possession well, until ‘Gate conceded a penalty on their 22 which was well kicked by the visiting stand-off.
The away team then went wide and their winger put in a grubber-kick towards the Pythons’ line.
Home full-back Halpin and the ‘Ensians winger both dived to touch down, but the referee ruled the visiting man got the vital first touch and awarded a try, which was superbly converted from the touchline for a 10-0 lead on 65 minutes.
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Hide Ad‘Gate responded with their best spell of the game, but were met by ferocious defence by ‘Ensians.
Despite taking a couple of scrums against the head, the Pythons could not breach the away defence, and their hopes faded when Clarkson was shown a yellow card for diving into a ruck, the visitors being able to see the game out.