Burley 3 - 0 Ossett

Report by Dale Burnley

So Ossett travelled to Burley having won their previous fixture at home.

Despite a depleted back line due to ever increasing injuries and work commitments meant that Duncan Kitts got the nod to start at inside centre for the absent Andrew Webber (work). Ben Jennings had to pull out late due to an ankle injury so Ryan McKeag started on the wing pushing Ollie Lightfoot out of position to the outside centre. Also with Matt Hemmingway unable to play Jonny Karadzic was to start at scrum half. Ossett were keen and confident and in the perfect mind set to play the rugby they've been playing for the last several games the referee on the other hand seemed determined not to let the game flow.

Ossett started scrappy with Burley having the early pressure. Ossett were guilty for successive penalties which saw Joe Rotchell unfortunately yellow carded.

Burley kept up the pressure on the Ossett line. Only good defence from the forwards supported strongly by both halfbacks kept the repeated Burley barrage out.

Eventually the Ossett defence proved too strong and finally they were awarded a penalty to which Tim Roberts was able to clear the Ossett line.

Most of the first half continued with Burley having the upper hand with the territory. Ossett however were not without their opportunities, Tim Roberts made a break down the Ossett left wing and having stood up the Burley winger passed to Ryan who unfortunately was unable to catch the ball and subsequently was bundled into touch. Another opportunity was when Jack Drury made a half break just outside the Burley five metre line and gave a great one handed offload to Duncan Kitts who crashed over only for the referee to call it back for a forward pass (dubiously).

Eventually the referee blew for half time after a "50" minute half!!!??

The second half started much the same with the referee constantly slowing the game down for both sides, making all involved frustrated to the point where the game seemed pointless.

Scrappiness from both teams ensued from a scrappy referee's performance.

Eventually Burley were awarded a penalty that was kickable, three (3) - nil (0) to Burley.

After a succession of Burley penalties Ossett decided to go for posts. Tim Roberts was unable to bring the scores level.

Ossett again launched a good attacking set off phases up the Burley left flank which ended up in a yellow card for number 8 Dale Burnley for an apparent supplex on the Burley skipper.

Suddenly the game had twenty (20) seconds left then the referee realised that he had "simply" read his watch wrong and that in fact it was the sin bin time he had got muddled with.

The game finished off with an Ossett up the right Burley flank before the ref blew the full time whistle.

Despite the negatives, at times Ossett showed glimmers of what they can do against teams that dwarf them.
With the guys stepping into big shoes we were shown once again the strength in depth the club has.

Good defensive/work rate performances coming from Dale Burnley (not my words), Dave Henley, Ellliot Guerrilla Jack Drury and Dave Duncan.

Ossett can now look forward to Skipton at home for their next league fixture. Hopefully Ossett will be in a position to field a full strength squad bolstered by the return of the non injured absentees.

Let's see the mettle we know we have have and ruin a travelling Skipton XV.