It has been a lengthy season of ups and downs for all the teams of Northallerton RUFC. The men’s first XV looked to cap it all off with a cup final in the Yorkshire Silver Trophy against Old Otliensiens RUFC whose season had been one of almost continuous success. Having been promoted into Yorkshire two league last season, they have shown their quality throughout and finished top of the table, earning themselves the remarkable feat of back-to-back promotions. In the previous meeting between these two sides, Otliensiens ran out comfortable winners with their pace, fitness and co-ordination proving the big difference between the teams. At the neutral venue of Harrogate RFC, both sides looked to end the rugby season with their hands on the oldest rugby trophy in England.

Aware of their opposition’s prolific try scoring abilities, North needed a fast start to get a foothold in the game and knew they would have score plent of points of their own to keep pace. An attacking lineout for North on the Otliensiens’ 22-metre line was the first opportunity presented and North made no mistakes in their execution. A powerful driving maul was dotted down by hooker Seamus Talbot to take an early
lead. The opening exchanges of the game were dominated by North’s forward pack, using their physicality to control the flow of the game. It wasn’t too long though before a turnover in possession was moved quickly to the wider channels by the league winners and their winger showed exactly why he finished as the highest try scorer in English league rugby. Slipping away from any tackler he put on the after
burners to score in the corner.
As the old adage goes in rugby, there is no substitute for pace. A maxim that proved very true on this day as the Otliensiens’ winger repeated the feat only moments later as North’s early lead evaporated. This time the conversion was successful to take the scoreboard to 12-5. Not deterred in the slightest, North mounted another challenge to their opposition’s goal line. A steady build up of pressure through relentless carrying by the forward pack brought play to within touching distance of the goal line. Prop Phil Swall crashed over from short range to score the try. The conversion in front of the posts was knocked over by Jedd Bainbridge to level the scores at 12-12.
The opening quarter of the match had been an evenly fought contest as both sides exploited their strengths to great effect, the game looking in the balance. As the first half wore on, the game started to tilt in the favour of Otliensiens as their fitness and athleticism became more difficult to contain for North. Four tries scored in relatively quick succession through a combination of impressive handling, pace and timing
took the game by the scruff of the neck as Otliensiens held to their game plan, executing it with precision when the opportunity arose.
On the stroke of half time, North mounted one more attack. A line break from winger Jake Fisher was stopped illegally with a high tackle and from the resulting lineout maul, North were unlucky to have the ball knocked on over the try line to round out the half.

As the teams changed ends for the start of the second half, North knew they had a mountain to climb. Determination and grit have been hallmarks of this side for a number of years now and this came to the fore once again. Despite conceding another three tries, again well taken by Otliensiens in similar fashion to their earlier ones, the lads from Northallerton faced up to drive the ball deep into the opposition half once more. Calm heads prevailed as North neared the goal line before Jedd Bainbridge somehow found himself in the melee with the ball and dived over the try line in the corner to score. Converting his own try from the touchline secured the extra two points.
When in possession, North were effective, and in defence there was no lack of shoulders or effort on show. The issue North struggled to deal with was how to stop the opposition running with the ball when you can’t get near them. A difficult conundrum to resolve and one that Otliensiens took full advantage of, playing entirely to their strengths with pace and speed of play to take the game away from North completely with another five tries. There was no doubt to any observer that this was a contest between two contrasting styles of playing rugby and a well-deserved victory to Old Otliensiens in the end. The match finished with a final score of Old Otliensiens 88 – Northallerton 19. Congratulations to Otliensiens, Yorkshire Silver Trophy winners and Yorkshire Two league winners who played an entertaining and effective brand of rugby, best of luck to them next season.
Many thanks to the referees for officiating the match very well, to Harrogate rugby club for their hospitality in hosting the game and a last thank you to all the many supporters and volunteers from Northallerton rugby club who have travelled to cheer on the team throughout this whole season. The support has been well appreciated. A big well done to the men’s first XV who have battled hard in every game over the
past eight months and produced many performances to be proud of. Bring on next season!