Late try sees Castleford snatch victory from Otliensians' grasp

OTLIENSIANS were dealt a blow hours before the game when their captain Sam Featherstone was taken ill and had to drop out of the side.

It meant that Rob Lofthouse led the side and they found themselves under early pressure. The home side intercepted a pass and only a superb tackle from winger Josh Howarth saved the day.

Otliensians gradually picked up their game with in-form Connor Bateman troubling the home defence with a powerful 50-metre run.

When Castleford were penalised Otliensians kicked to the corner and Louis Hooper crashed over for an unconverted try from the ensuing line-out.

Otliensians were exerting pressure in the scrums and pushing the home pack back. It was the dominance of the set piece which brought a second try.

Castleford lost their own scrum and following a hard drive from Rob Arbuckle, Joe Wakeman made it 10-0.

Not to be outdone, Castleford fought back and drove over to score a converted try.

The final score of the first half was a penalty by Bateman after a Castleford player was punished for a tip tackle.

An Otliensians win looked a strong possibility when they extended their lead early in the second half. Castleford went backwards in the scrum and Rob Arbuckle charged over to score a try which was converted by Connor Bateman.

A penalty reduced the deficit before Castleford capitalised on some increasingly ragged Otliensians play to score an unconverted try with 13 minutes remaining.

Otliensians conceded a number of penalties as they defended their line. The pressure finally told with the game two minutes into injury time. Castleford barged their way over the line for a try which levelled the scores. The successful conversion sealed victory for the home side.

It was an afternoon when Castleford did not allow the speedy Otliensians backs to play their expansive game, and while the pack did well in the tight, this was not a good day at the office.