Castleford 29

Otliensians 8

DESPITE absentees again including skipper Richard Smith and strong tacklers David Smith and Ady Fawell Otliensians put on a determined show at Castleford on Saturday.

The match was played in atrocious conditions throughout with heavy rain and a fair amount of surface water.

Before Otliensians could settle, the home side ran in two tries within the first ten minutes, the second of which was unfortunate as several Otliensians stopped playing due to a worrying injury to scrum-half Fraser Ritson. Castleford ran in close to the posts for an easy conversion to make it 12-0.

Otliensians' forwards were beginning to revel in the conditions. The great rolling maul by the visitors put Castleford under pressure and they conceded a penalty duly converted by Matt Tenniswood to pull three points back. Castleford however were doing most of the pressing at this stage but were being kept out by some good covering and tackling, Otliensians managing to keep their shape in the main.

Castleford forced a penalty which was converted and followed this up with a try on the half hour when an untidy pass back from a scrum let in the Castleford scrum-half who beat the defence to the touch down. The conversion gave Castleford a 22-3 lead which they carried to the break.

In the second-half Otliensians did more to contain the running Castleford backs. Chris Bawden and Peter Tempest were revelling in the conditions with a number of big hits.

The fitter Otliensian forwards were also becoming more dominant over a tiring home eight and were putting together some fine rolling mauls.

Mid-way through the half, in the midst of Otliensian pressure in the Castleford 22, the home side got a breakaway and looked certain to score until a fine tackle by Brett Tenniswood, covering back well, seemed to have saved the day. Cas however got quicker to the breakdown and went over for the try, the conversion points being added.

Despite this setback Otliensians' heads did not drop and they continued to show strong resolve. This was rewarded ten minutes from the end when Chris Bawden crowned his performance by battling his way with a powerful run from 25 metres out to go over in the corner.

Although going down by four tries to one this was a much better performance by Otliensians who played much more as a team and fought for each other throughout. They were the better side in the second-half with the forwards led from the front by Dave Roberts looking the fitter of the two packs.

In the backs Matt Tenniswood put in some good touch kicks and Chris Bawden was involved in all the open play making some determined runs to put the home defence on the back foot.

The second-half was a step in the right direction following their heavy defeat the previous week. Above all the attitude was right with players playing for each other.

l On Saturday Otliensians entertain Stocksbridge at Pool Road and will be looking for a win. Kick-off 2.15 pm, all supporters welcome.

Old Otliensians A 8

Castleford A 48

Playing a man short the early pressure came from Otliensians with Simon Coates at scrum half and Steve Wilson in the back row initiating good forward drives.

However, they were unable to convert possession and territorial advantage into points although Andy Cooper was held up over the line.

On their first attack the young Castleford backs showed their pace and exploited the extra man to penetrate into the Otliensians' 22. Despite some resolute defence, Castleford scored and almost immediately scored again. Otliensians hit back with a penalty from Simon Coates but the visitors' speed combined with some mediocre tackling from the home side saw them score a further four tries, three of which were converted to give them a 36-3 lead at the break.

After re-grouping at the interval, the Otliensians became more competitive. The scrum platform tightened and Ben Smith continued to win some excellent line-out ball.

Tackling improved and with Coates sensibly kicking well for position, the visitors were largely contained. Castleford scored two tries after 15 and 24 minutes before Otliensians hit back with a try from Roy Appleyard and went close on other occasions.

The Society Referee failed to arrive and the teams were grateful to Peter Latham from Prince Henry's GS for acting as last minute substitute.