OORUFC Match Report
15th February 2025
Castleford 7 vs 64 OORUFC
Clinical First Half seals the Points for ‘Ensians
Last weekend, Otliensians travelled across the M62 to take on middle of the table Castleford RUFC, on a cold damp afternoon in West Yorkshire.
‘Ensians had first use of the ball and the returning Sam Longfellow found himself in the action almost straight away when he was on the outside of a well worked overlap to sprint downfield 50 metres to gain early territory. In a matter of minutes the ball was held up over the line, but with four consecutive penalties, a scrum ensued which allowed Luke Cowdell to pick from the rear and offload out to fly-half Ollie Eaves who wrestled his way over for an unconverted try, 0-5.
Barely 5 minutes later, the ball was worked wide by scrum half Rob Lofthouse and winger Isaac Gilson. Harry Wales found himself with the ball and made his way to Cas’ 22, Harry Gilson came from back play to support and sprinted towards the line to score. Converted by Jake Bentley, 0-12.
More penalties from the kick-off piggy backed ‘Ensians up field. Jake Bentley took the ball to the blindside out of the ruck, he found Eaves who subsequently drew his opposite number to give Corey Cowan a free 5 metre run to score. Bentley converted to take the score to 0-19.
Cas’ finally found themselves in the ‘Ensians 22 with a scrum 5 metres from the try line, but the ball was turned over and a penalty given against them, and with some back chat to the referee, a yellow card was handed out. From the preceding line-out, Bentley made a half break and found Ethan Heade who barged his way through the middle of the field, and with Eaves in support he gladly took the ball and went across under the posts for his second of the day. 0-26.
A second yellow card was handed to Cas’ within 5 minutes of their previous one, this one for a professional foul. From the resulting play, full back Sydney Dojahn-Wood received the ball wide and scored. 0-33.
Another loose ball by Cas’ was pounced upon by Dan Perfect who kicked the ball through to get into the attacking 22. Ensians’ recycled the ball well, and it made its way to Jay Walsh who dummied the defence to stroll through and score under the posts.
‘Ensians ended the half with 40 points to the good for no reply.
Almost straight from the kick-off ‘Ensians found themselves with the ball. With a plethora of defenders in front of him, Isaac Gillson ducked and weaved all the way to the try line, to score what was arguably the try of the game. The score moving to 0-47.
After good steady work from the forwards to move upfield, Cowdell made a half-break allowing the offload to Eaves, who was looking for his hat-trick at this point, but unselfishly popped the ball to Longfellow who gladly nipped over the try line to score. The conversion wasn't to be, but the lead increased to 52 points.
Barely 2 minutes later and Wales found the ball at his feet and raced away for 60 metres to add another 5 points to the scoreline. Bentley added his 7th conversion of the afternoon to take the score to 0-59.
A raft of changes occurred for both teams with Cas’ pack seeing some weight added.
However, it was the Blues’ subs that made the first impact as Connor Paley broke the line and made a 30 metre break, only for Cowdell to get turned over from the offload.
Cas’ had a good 10 minutes of pressure and made it into the attacking 22 for the first time in the half after 20 minutes. Their excellent scrummaging from the interchanges forced errors from ‘Ensians. Castelford’s prop got the ball 2 metres out and there was no stopping him from that range. The score now 7-59.
More pressure on the away sides’ line, forced another yellow card, this time for ‘Ensians’ Dan Perfect for persistent team penalties.
With the home side’s scrums dominating and pushing the Blues back, nr 8 Cowdell somehow managed to secure possession, allowing the backs to play a set move, this allowed Isaac Gillson to speed away down his wing to score brilliantly in the corner for his second of the afternoon.
Ensians’ finishing the game strong and coming out on top by 7-64.
Only one more bonus point win is needed for confirmed promotion to Yorkshire Division 2.
Report: Sam Boyden
Photos: John Eaves