NATIONAL DIVISION 1

OTLEY 

Lions slumped to a disappointing defeat in their opening home fixture of the new season against a well-drilled Otley outfit.  After looking down and out mid-way through the second half, Lions turned on a purple patch to put themselves right back in contention.  However, they could not sustain the momentum, and in the end had to settle for a solitary bonus point for scoring 4 tries, leaving them firmly rooted at the foot of the league table.

Lions made few changes to the team that was comprehensively beaten by an impressive Orrell team last week.  Richard Moore started at prop and Tom Hayman at number 8, with .  Glen Carson and Stomper Stannard moving to the bench.  The only other change saw Tristan Prosser-Shaw talking his familiar number 6 jersey, with Sam Tovo moving to the other side of the scrum.

Robbie Hurrell started where he left off last week at Orrell, rising majestically to take the first line out.  Jacques Steyne took advantage to boom a kick 45 metres downfield.  Unfortunately, the line-out then deteriorated as Lions contrived to lose two long throws to the back of the line to allow Otley to clear.  Otley were soon on the attack with Rob Whatmuff (I normally manage to find something funny to say about people’s names, but on this occasion I think I’ll pass!!  I don’t want to dive into something I’ll regret).  He burst onto a pop pass from Simon Binns like a startled bird out of bush (think about it!!) to take Otley deep into Lions’ territory.  When Lions were penalised for a deliberate knock on whilst stemming the attack, Simon Binns stepped up to convert the easy kick.  ( 0 – 3 ).

Lions were immediately under pressure again following a strong run by Otley flanker Paul Williams, and again Lions’ desperate defence was penalised.  This time Simon Binns spurned the simple kick at goal to drill the ball into the corner.  It was Paul Williams who rose to take the catch at the resultant line-out to enable the Otley pack to drive number 8 James Tiffany over for the opening try.  Simon Binns missed the conversion from wide out.  ( 0 – 8 ).

Lions were looking somewhat disorganised, and almost fell even further behind as a blindside move nearly had Otley away again.  Fortunately Sam Tovo had other ideas and pulled off a superb flying tackle to slow things down.  Otley maintained the pressure with some lovely support play and good hands.  The ball was swung down the line, but resolute Lions’ tackling forced a knock on.  The first scrum with a Lions’ put in.  This was a vulnerable area at Orrell, but this week the pack were solid as a rock, giving Jacques Steyne the time and room to pump the ball 40 metres downfield.

Lions were starting to build up a head of steam now, and a lovely switch pass from Jacques Steyne almost created the opening.  Jacques then caught the eye with a good break, but he spoilt this with a wild inside pass that Otley were able to intercept.  Otley quickly turned defence into attack as they swept upfield, brushing aside several ineffective Lions’ tacklers.  At least the cover was effective, and a steal in the tackle allowed Jacques Steyne to spiral another superb kick back into the Otley 22.

Stuart Potter left the field at this point, with James Black coming on as replacement and going onto the wing, with Jason Critchley moving inside to take the centre role.  Good ball retention by Lions had Otley on the back foot, and when they were penalised for offside, up stepped Jacques Steyne to plant the ball between the posts with a simple kick.  ( 3 – 8 ).

Lions were quickly on the attack again, and were awarded a line-out.  We were then treated to the bizarre spectacle of the Lions’ pack dancing around like demented ballerinas at the line, no doubt with the intention of bamboozling their Otley counterparts.  The only thing this seemed to do was completely baffle Matt Williams who had a free kick awarded against him for delaying the put in!!  A criminal waste of a good position!!

Alex Taylor was prominent in stemming the next Otley attack with a crunching tackle in midfield.  Otley retained possession well, and Simon Binns put in a deft chip for wing Neil Law, who got to the ball first, but his hack on was executed with about as much skill as a Scottish international soccer player and the ball ended up in touch.

Another huge kick from Jacques Steyne following a free kick against Otley for closing the gap at the line-out again gave Lions an attacking position.  A good steal at the line-out and fast ball along the backs, with a final flick on by Matt Vines, saw Jason Critchley with some room.  Unfortunately the Otley cover was across fast to stop the winger, and bundle the ball into touch by the corner flag.  Could Lions at last convert their pressure into points??  The answer was not long in coming. 

Another long Lions’ throw at a line looked to have gone horribly wrong again, but Tristan Prosser-Shaw picked up the pieces and galloped 30 metres.  Tom Hayman was on hand to continue the move, but when the ball was recycled, a wayward kick from Jacques Steyne wasted a good opportunity when moving the ball in hand looked a better alternative.

Now it was Otley’s turn to exert some pressure as Lions paid the price for a series of penalties.  The last of these saw Simon Binns place the ball in the corner, but this time the Lions defence was solid as Otley took the line-out and drove for the line.  Unfortunately the respite was brief.  From an attacking scrum, Simon Binns put in a deft kick behind the advancing Lions defence for Rob Whatmuff to follow up and score a try of stunning simplicity.  To add salt to the wound, Simon Binns also stroked over the conversion.  ( 8 – 15 ).

Lions had an immediate opportunity to reply, but more poor line-out work allowed Otley to clear as the referee blew for half time.

Half time 

Lions   8            Otley   15

Lions desperately needed to score first to get themselves back into the game.  They were soon on the attack and were unfortunate to concede a scrum when on the attack as the referee failed to spot the ball being made available on the opposite side of the maul.  Lions were looking to put some punch in their attack, but Sam Tovo obviously misinterpreted the half time tactical talk as he was sin binned on the intervention of the touch judge for taking the instruction too literally.

Lions were now up against it as Otley strove to press home their numerical advantage.  Otley were looking ominous, and extended their lead when a high tackle allowed Simon Binns to convert a simple penalty.  ( 8 – 18 ).

Lions were soon further behind as they contrived to give another free kick for more line dancing, before their 7 man scrum was disrupted for an Otley put in.  An astute kick by that man Simon Binns (another fly half having a stormer against us!!!!) saw Matt Vines beaten by a bad bounce, for an Otley player to juggle the ball before touching down.  Simon Binns added a good conversion.  ( 8 – 25 ).

Lions tried to stem the tide by bringing on fresh legs with Richard Moore and Matt Williams being replaced by Glen Carson and Marek Kwisiuk.  Sam Tovo also returned after his spell in the bin.  However, Otley immediately extended their lead with another Simon Binns penalty as Lions were found guilty of handling in a ruck.  ( 8 – 28).

Lions were now well and truly on the back foot, and the Shed soothsayer was forecasting yet another heavy defeat.  However, things soon took a dramatic turn as Otley’s Paul Williams was given a stern warning (but no yellow card!!) by the referee for foul play from the restart.  Jacques Steyne put the kick to the corner, but the chance looked to have been lost as Lions contrived to lose yet another line-out in an attacking position.  But all was not lost as Lions charged down the clearance to gain a scrum.  The ball was moved wide, but was lost in the tackle!!  However, Otley were penalised at the scrum, and again Jacques Steyne put the ball in the corner.  This time there was no mistake.  The catch was good, the drive was strong, and there was Guy Manson-Bishop to break from the back of the maul to force his way over.  Sadly Jacques Steyne missed another very kickable conversion.  ( 13 – 28 ).

Lions brought on more fresh legs with Ben Wheeler replacing Sam Tovo, and Stomper Stannard coming on for Guy Manson-Bishop.  The impact was immediate.  A brilliant Jason Critchley break from his own 22 took play deep into Otley territory.  A desperate defence conceded a penalty, and Lions repeated the dose as this time Tristan Prosser-Shaw was driven over by the pack from the resultant line-out.  Matt Vines took over the kicking role, and his conversion looked to be going well wide before it curved just inside the upright to bring Lions within striking distance.  ( 20 – 28 ).

Lions were now pushing hard for another score, but it was Otley who next put points on the board.  When Lions were penalised, Simon Binns put the ball in the corner, and the tried and tested take and drive from the line-out paid dividends as Lions could do little to prevent another score.  Again, Simon Binns converted to give Otley a more comfortable cushion.  ( 20 – 35 ).

Time was running out for Lions, and it was Otley who had the final score as Simon Binns stroked over yet another penalty.  ( 25 – 38).

Final result:  

Lions   25            Otley   38

What you might call a frustrating afternoon for the Lions’ faithful.  The talent in the squad is there for all to see, but we don’t seem to have found the formula to harness it to full advantage yet.  I’m not one of the subscribers to the doom and gloom scenario …….yet.  There were some positives in the game, as Lions showed in patches.  The trouble is, these were few and far between.  We must learn to retain possession when we get it, and recycle the ball at speed to allow us to spread it wide, where our wings will stretch any defence.  The team is not operating as a coherent whole, as it must do if we are to survive a long, hard season.  The coaches need to get a grip………..and quickly.  Next week we see yet another very tough game down at Exeter.  Lions have the talent to win this one but must be moulded into a lean, mean, fighting machine to stand a chance……and a week is not a long time.

um...well...may be next week

Lions team

Both Otley and Rugby met immovable objects last week without possessing the necessary irresistible force that such encounters require. As a consequence they are separated at the foot of Division One by just two letters of the alphabet. Comparison of the two score lines with their deficit equality, suggests that Rugby in being away from home, playing an unfamiliar team in a vast empty stadium did slightly better than Otley, who were in their cosy Cross Green home playing opponents that were all too familiar.

Last season Rugby managed to beat Otley twice, a fate also suffered by bottom finishers Bracknell. Both games were fast moving and could have easily been won by the Yorkshire side that shared in making the two encounters highly entertaining for the supporters of the two clubs.

This time round each side will consider the other to be one of the teams who must be beaten in order to survive in the division, and the supporters are likely to witness another fast and furious game. Even at this early stage in the season this has to be a “must win” game for the Lions, so getting the basics right and maintaining the discipline will have to be foremost in the team’s collective mind on Sunday afternoon.