OLD Otliensians took advantage of their scoring chances to beat Rotherham Phoenix 34-12 in a Yorkshire Three home game on Saturday.

The scoreboard was somewhat flattering to the home side, for the visitors played some good rugby and were perhaps unlucky not to convert pressure and territory into more points.

‘Ensians did not always play in the right areas and only late in the first half did they use a strong wind to their advantage, but when scoring opportunities occurred, they took them.

After five minutes, an ‘Ensian penalty award enabled full-back Will Cooper to find touch inside the opposition 22 and from good line-out ball sustained pressure resulted in wing Connor Bateman crossing in the corner. He converted with a lovely kick and the hosts were ahead by seven points.

Both teams gave away penalties and ‘Ensians were lucky when the visitors missed an easy one on the 10-minute mark.

After 25 minutes, Rotherham were penalised and Bateman converted to bring the score to 10-0.

The visitors played some good rugby, but ‘Ensians gained a foothold and an on-the-burst break saw Cooper cross the try line, with Bateman coolly adding the extras, making it 17-0 on the half hour.

Rotherham threes ran well to put themselves in the home side’s 22 and won a penalty, only to kick the ball dead when trying to find a line-out close to the corner.

‘Ensians quickly made their way back into the opposition half and a from a lovely move involving a wrap-around pass, Bateman scored his second try, which he converted.

Just two minutes after the restart, ‘Ensians took a tap penalty, conceded a turnover and Rotherham crossed the line wide out. A beautiful conversion put the visitors on the board.

They came back again after 15 minutes and an unconverted try put them at 24-12, but another penalty by Bateman put the hosts 27-12 ahead with a quarter of the match left.

Rotherham lost two players to yellow cards and in the dying minutes Rob Lofthouse showed a turn of speed, leaving Rotherham’s depleted defence in his wake to score near the corner.

The rain had started, the light was closing, but Bateman completed his immaculate from-the-tee kicking afternoon with a fine conversion.