ON an action packed weekend for Rugby fans, Otliensians faced Castleford at home.

A lovely, dry and sunny day brought many locals out to support the players. In the early minutes ‘Ensians opened the scoring with a confident penalty kick by man of the match, Will Cooper.

Not too pleased to be on the back foot, Castleford responded quickly with a try from their elusive scrum half.

An easy conversion followed, giving them the lead. The first half was very well matched with the home sides defences holding firm.

The welcome return of Ali Campbell, Tony Myers and Paddy Phipps lifted the forwards spirits, and the excellent cover tackling of backs, Joe Tindall and Jacob Wragg, kept the attackers at bay.

The visitors only managing a further three points in the first half from a penalty kick.

It wasn’t until the last quarter of the game that the ten league place imbalance became apparent. Recycling well and keeping the phases alive, Castleford turned the screw in the final 15 minutes and ran in four tries in quick succession.

Otliensians fought on courageously till the end, and were rewarded with a lovely try in the final minutes from Rob Grange. Another clean kick from Cooper saw the game end 10-34 to Castleford.

A valiant effort from the home team, and once again the score didn’t reflect how well matched the teams were for the majority of the contest.

'Ensians return to action on Saturday (27) when they travel to Halifax Vandals.

A first victory still awaits the bottom placed side, but performances are improving and a victory seems to be growing closer.

And Saturday could give 'Ensians the chance to push for that win. Although Halifax remain in seventh, tehy have lost their least three league fixtures, their most recent coming away at Harrogate Pythons on Saturday (34-19).

I there was ever a time to play the West Yorkshire outfit, this would be it, with their confidence not at its peak.