On what was a glorious September day and off the back of a good win against Rotherham Clifton at home Ossett travelled to Burley looking to go better than their 3-0 loss last time against them at their ground. Ossett travelled with a much the same starting line up as the previous week albeit with few subs due to the 2nd XV struggling for numbers. The delectable Dave Hanley had returned for the weekend from Hong Kong and was making a much needed appearance in the front row. Burley was already out warming up once Ossett had arrived due to heavy traffic in the area from the new university students being dropped off. Ossett’s warm up was a little flat but they were hoping it would pick up once the whistle went.

Drury lost the toss and as I’m sure whoever wins the toss at the Burley ground, they elected to play uphill in the first half. Burley instantly looked dangerous once the ball got out wide and into the back line. With a full back having recently returned from England U21 duty, the running was strong and they quickly took a 10-0 lead. Ossett were unlucky to lose Dickinson early on due to a shoulder injury so veteran Gough was called into action and quickly showed the young whipper snappers from Burley what was what. A second injury early on in the game saw White come on for Banks who is currently waiting to see if he needs an ankle operation or not. The game restarted 15 metres out from the Burley line and with a strong scrum followed by some good work from the forwards the omnipotent Fonquernie, trying to make up for his pitiful attempt at a match report last week, forced his way over in the corner. It wasn’t submitted to the paper due to the excessive use of crayons to write it. More pinpoint kicking from Jack Drury on the touchline meat Ossett finished marginally behind 10-7 at the break.

After the break Ossett started the brighter of the teams, the forwards bossed Burley around the park with strong rucking and clearing out. There was a change in the back line with Karadzic moving to inside centre to try sure the back line up against the Burley centres but this afternoon was one for the forwards. Gareth Lewis as strong as ever in attack and defence, Leigh Learie using his size and speed effectively to punch holes through the defence Ossett managed to move the ball around the park well. Man of the match Fonquernie was unlucky as he grounded the ball on the line but the referee said it was held up. This got him really mad and he hit everything and anyone, at one point there was a chance he was going to turn green!

Another Burley try from a break down the outside meant the scores were tied 17-17 with only a few minutes remaining. The referee awarded Ossett a penalty about 35 metres out and slightly to the left of the sticks which Drury was unlucky enough to have swing just to the right of the posts. The ball was quickly gathered by Burley who instantly sent it wide and set off looking for that winning try, only to make it as far as the touch line before Mark Fisher managed to slide under the Burley player to hold him up over the line. The resulting scrum gave Burley the chance to tie in Ossett’s forwards and they managed to get the ball across the field with the last play of the game and score in the corner. Again the kick was missed so the game finished 22-17.

Ossett play current league leaders Skipton at home next week and hope to put a dent in the promotion hopeful’s momentum.

MOM Points: 5 – R Fonquernie 4 – L Learie 3 – G lewis 2 – D Burnley 1 – The Front Row