Although Ossett RUFC dates back to pre 1900, the club folded due to the Second World War. However, in 1979 a group of 4 people decided to reform the club, these being Don Jowett, Alan Gordon, Terry Clough and Kevin Hirst.

It is with sadness that we report the death of Alan Gordon last week at the age of 62. Not only was Alan a founder member of the reformed club, he also captained the First XV during the inaugural 1979-1980 season, and he also taught a number of the club’s older statesmen at Ossett School. Our sympathies and best wishes go to his family. At the start of the game a minutes silence was held and thanks to the West Park Leeds lads who joined the Ossett team in this gesture to Alan.

After last week’s excellent victory at Old Rishworthians, Ossett’s second string entertained West Park Leeds. Fielding a strong pack, Ossett were looking forward to the physical challenge, however, prior to the game they were informed that West Park did not have a full complement of front row and that the scrums would be uncontested. The game began with the visitors having the advantage of the slope. Ossett started slowly and were under pressure immediately, the burly Leeds stand off attacking the Ossett defensive line and gaining great field position. Time and again the Ossett line was threatened, but the home defence never waivered with massive hits coming in from the likes of Chris Burt, Pete Bradshaw, skipper Clinton North and Joe Woffenden. The home backline lead by Andy Bell also tackled strongly and there was no early score for the visitors. It was almost 20 minutes before Ossett gained any reasonable share of the possession, but gradually they forced their way into the game with Bell’s kicking edging them up the field into opposition territory. The forwards also responded with strong runs from Woffenden, Jonny Banks, Nige Walker and Ryan Fonquernie, nevertheless, the game remained scoreless until around 5 minutes from half time. Then stand off Bell made a break but was eventually tackled. The ball was recycled quickly and veteran prop and Jez Slack looky likey Nige Walker stormed towards the line. He offloaded in the tackle to centre Richard Oates who slipped the ball to flying winger Adam Race who took two Leeds players over the line with him to open the scoring. Bell narrowly missed the touchline conversion, and that was 5-0 to Ossett at the break.

The visitors started the second half in much the same vain as they did the first, running the ball at all times. Again they had Ossett on the back foot, but such is the belief and team spirit in this side that there was no way the defence would be breached. Several personnel changes late in the first half and at the break did not weaken the side. Once again the increasingly dominant Ossett pack rumbled forward, eventually winning a penalty in front of the sticks around 20 metres from the goal line. Bell made no mistake slotting the penalty with aplomb (that‘s for you again Belly). From the kick off the home side again advanced towards the Leeds line. Once again the Ossett pack won quick ball and scrum half Jez Broadhead heard the call from lock Joe Woffenden who took the ball down the blind side at full speed. He easily brushed off the first attempted tackle and drove powerfully for the corner, getting there despite the attentions of two Leeds players. Bell missed the difficult touchline conversion, but Ossett now had a handy 13-0 lead.

To their credit West Park never gave up and threw everything at Ossett in an attempt to get back on terms, and they almost succeeded. Wave after wave of the blue tide assailed the Ossett line and only desperate defence from Ossett saved the day. On three separate occasions, home players made individual try saving tackles. Chris Burt from a 5 metre tap penalty threw himself at the feet of the huge West Park lock cutting him down in his tracks. Nige Walker halted another Leeds forward on the charge and dumped him when it looked a certain score and Clinton North made another outstanding try saving effort. Meanwhile the remainder of the team were also giving 110% in an awesome defensive display, Pete Bradshaw putting his body on the line on numerous occasions, and taking the knocks for his trouble. And so when the referee blew for full time, Ossett had once again kept a clean sheet in 2013, and were victorious at
13-0.

For Ossett the MOM points don’t really tell the story as each and every player deserved at least one point. This reminded me very much of another famous rear guard action - Rourkes Drift. Talking of that is Ben Woolley available next week? Seriously folks, a great result. I also need to mention centre Richard Oates who not only tackled well but jinked and distributed superbly throughout the game. Tom Stratford also got into the points for the second week running since his return and is looking extremely good. Another shout to Anton Porter who played the full game for the opposition and was a real thorn in Ossett’s side for the whole 80 minutes. We also hope that Jonny Bank’s recovers from the almighty clash of heads with Ian Whitehead (always gonna be only one winner there), and is back playing soon. It was also nice to welcome back Duncan Kitts up from Oxfordshire, for his ‘wedding lessons’. Hope it went well Dunc!!!!!!!!! If I have forgotten anyone I apologise but my memory is not what it used to be.

Jez Slack
Ossett 2nd XV OAP