OTLIENSIANS 0

CASTLEFORD 25

THE gremlins which have haunted Otliensians' efforts all season were at it again on Saturday.

An enforced change in the pack due to Richard Smith having a hamstring injury forced them to put Dave Roberts into the second row and Mark Stevens to blind side and in the first real incident of the game new scrum-half Steve Foster sustained a serious ankle injury.

Graham Dobson came on to take his usual place at full-back to allow Andrew Thorpe to move into the middle of the field and Peter Gillson went to scrum-half.

Castleford took the lead almost immediately with a try by their flanker Stuart Morley who was to be a thorn in their side all afternoon.

Despite the early reverse the home side competed well in all departments but Castleford increased their lead with a penalty.

Just when it appeared that would be the score at half-time a blind side move created by the visitor's lively scrum-half resulted in a try for Mark Gale giving Castleford a 13-0 lead at the break.

Playing with the wind in the second-half it was hoped Otliensians would be able to redress the balance but the visitors had other ideas and stepped up their forward effort which virtually denied Otliensians any clean possession to reduce their advantage.

Mid-way through the half Otliensians had a period on the attack but as has been the case in previous games this season the ability and drive to turn half a chance into points was not there although Gillson tried manfully at scrum-half to create something.

Instead Castleford sealed the game with two more tries with Morley completing his hat-trick. A conversion completed the scoring.

Castleford A 58

Otliensians A 8

This game was played on a very heavy pitch which in places contained standing water. Otliensians opened the scoring with a try by Richard Brook quickly followed by a Roy Aldridge penalty.

This was to be the end of their scoring. The Castleford pack took almost complete control in the loose. Despite Otliensians competing well in the tight the abundant loose possession meant that Castleford were able to launch a series of attacks. Although the defence was determined and the spirit good when they were under pressure a score eventually had to be conceded. Castleford scored four tries before the break, three of which were converted.

The second-half was a similar story but the spirit and tackling was commendable, particularly that of backs Dave Lennie, Mark Sellars, Richard Brook and Richard Wood. Paul Roe, home on leave from the services, and Dave Beardsley put in a good effort in the pack. They were however unable to stem the tide and Castleford scored a further 32 points to run out worthy winners.

Otliensians B 5

Castleford B 22

An explosive start by Castleford restricted Otliensians involvement to a frantic defensive role in the early stages of what turned out to be a very keenly contested and entertaining game.

Castleford, with much the heavier pack, provided the possession for their lively threequarters to make incisive inroads and keep their hosts on the back foot.

The defence, although stretched, held firm and Castleford's only reward for all this pressure was a penalty goal.

The lead was increased with a converted try and Castleford pulled further ahead following a line-out on the home try line. The conversion opened up a 17 point lead.

Otliensians then started to take the initiative and scrum-half Paul Brook linked with half-back partner Mick Lawrence who crossed in the corner.

The resurgence continued in the second-half as roles appeared to be reversed. Encamped in the visitors' 22 for lengthy periods strong driving by props Pollard and Brown, ably assisted by No 8 Dan Ridgeway and second row replacement Mick Wilson, were only thwarted by desperate defensive tackles at the line.

Foraging runs to cross the gain line by flanker Paul Stenton and hooker Richard Paley kept up the pressure and Otliensians can take much pride in a spirited all round performance.

Preparations for Otliensians' tour to Holland over the weekend of March 18th are well advanced. The party will leave Otley on Thursday and arrive back on the Monday. The usual fixtures will be played against Smugglers and Harlem.

The party will have cabins on the North Sea Ferry and will then stay for two nights at an hotel in Damm Square. As usual the tour has been organised by club president Adrian Normanton with Tony Waye supervising the travel and Bill Bradford collecting the money.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.