Otliensians fully merit their second league win of season

OTLIENSIANS deservedly ran out winners against Castleford on Saturday by a goal and a penalty to a goal.

With numerous changes from both the last game at Bramley and the side selected and players generously given up by the second team at the last minute Otliensians went into this match nevertheless with spirit undaunted.

They opened the sharper taking play to the visitors and pressing on their line forced an anxious Castleford defence into an off-side position with half the side being caught out.

Matt Tenniswood duly converted to put Otliensians three points up.

The lead however was shortlived for within a few minutes a Castleford forward made a strong break and when eventually hampered by the Otliensian defence he off loaded to half-back Daniel Price who went over close to the posts, Danny Harwood converting.

To Otliensians' credit and despite a poor set of results to date, heads did not go down and the forwards immediately came back.

Castleford, obviously lacking confidence in their outside backs, were playing mainly ten man rugby but against Otliensians' newly constituted back row of Hayward, Collins and Roberts, were given no room for manoeuvre and hit a brick wall defence close in.

Outside the forwards Chaplin was making some astute kicks at stand-off and there was good work by Rob Wilks with a break down the left and a subsequent charge down.

Brett Tenniswood was contesting well in the line-outs and with some success on the opposition ball.

Following half-time, Fraser Ritson, who had worked well at scrum-half in support of his forwards, was replaced due to a slight injury, by late arrival Chris Bawden who slotted in at centre, John James moving to scrum-half.

This was to give the back line extra thrust and within ten minutes Bawden proved his worth. Lock Peter Bonner, who had been driving hard all game, off loaded to Matt Tenniswood and the winger made good ground and passed off to Bawden coming up at speed to power his way over from 15 metres and score close to the corner, Tenniswood converting well.

Castleford did not roll over and Otliensians had to work hard for the rest of the game to ensure their victory. To their credit they did just that penning Castleford in their own half for much of the remaining period. There was some hard graft from the front row of Payne, Paley and Tony Myers and by second rowers Bonner and Brett Tenniswood, the latter making a good break in the closing stages off the back of a maul and from which he nearly scored.

One further encouraging factor was the low penalty count by Otliensians. Some of those given against Castleford were kickable and this would have eased the points situation but there was some good kicking out of hand by both Ian Chaplin and Matt Tenniswood, the latter making some fine touches to drive the visitors back.

The tackling overall was good with Simon Varo and full-back Ady Fawell doing their fair share. The Man-of-the-Match however were flankers Tony Collins and Andy Hayward who both tackled everything that moved.

l On Saturday Otliensians visit Stocksbridge in a re-arranged league match. Kick-off at Stonemoor Road, Bolsterstone, is at 2.15 pm. All spectators are welcome

Castleford A 58 Old Otliensians A 5

After a good performance at home the previous Saturday, Otliensians Seconds had high hopes for their trip to Castleford.

However, late backwords in the first XV and illness saw the side much reduced but with Castleford offering to loan players, the game took place.

Unfortunately, Castleford too had problems resulting in their star centre being unable to travel to Otley for the first XV game and he proved to be the major architect of the Castleford victory.

In the forwards the set scrummages were evenly contested as were the line-outs with both sides winning their own ball from different positions, Alan Harker performing admirably for Otliensians.

Simon Coates at stand-off tried hard to marshall his backs but the home side had too much power and experience wide out scoring a penalty and five tries, three of which were converted, in the first-half to give them a 34 points lead at the break.

The unfamiliar Otliensians' combinations worked better in the second- half but they still conceded four further tries, two of which were converted.

However, they continued to work hard and Harker was rewarded for his all round efforts with a try late in the game. Mark Myers had a promising debut in the pack.

The second team's next fixture will be at home to Moortown on January 4.