Old Otliensians 19 Castleford 15

THIS was a game which Castleford would have looked to win, but apart from short spells either side of half-time and in the final ten minutes, they were not able to overcome Otliensians determination and team effort .

Their frustration showed and they incurred the displeasure of the referee on several occasions, being fortunate to escape the sin bin after three high-tackle offences.

The home team’s all-round game of superb defence and the ability to use penalty chances to achieve field position put pressure on the visitors.

Otliensians forwards more than held their own in the set pieces and from a line-out in the opposition 22 a clean catch by lock Jack Smith led to handling to the right, quick ball from a ruck and good hands to the left to give winger Will Prest a strong run to the corner.

The conversion narrowly failed, but shortly afterwards a text book driving maul, with backs piling in to add weight and purpose saw prop Greg Jones go over the line for a converted try.

Castleford enjoyed some possession and tested Otliensians’ defence, but this held well and half time came with the home side hanging on to a 12 to nil lead. After the break the visitors continued to press and despite heroic tackling and covering, Otliensians conceded a try from a scrum on the line, a pick up and dive over.

The conversion failed, but Castleford had found some confidence and the home team dipped somewhat into sloppy play. A penalty converted by the visitors brought the scores closer, but momentum began to shift to the Otliensians and after some good handling, a chip over the top gave winger Declan Jackson the chance to use his speed and beat the defence to a touch down.

A fine conversion from wide out gave the home side breathing space at 19-8, but the visitors came back in great style and the Old Boys found themselves penalised several times.

This put pressure in the wrong part of the field and Castleford were rewarded with a converted try to show 19-15 on the board. This was the final result at the end of a very good game of rugby which the Otliensians can rightly be delighted with.