In their Yorkshire 3 League game on 17 September Castleford RUFC were at home to Leeds Medics and Dentists. Castleford conjured up a 9-try spectacular to overwhelm a game students' side 61-15. The contest pitted pace against forward strength, with the latter emerging after an opening scare.
Outside half, Ian Mattison’s early penalty found touch twenty metres out. Second rower, Jensen Parkin rose to secure the line out ball and centre, Mickey Firth collected and powered in for the opening score. Mattison added the goal points.
This fired up the students and their slick, cross-field passing led to a brace of unconverted tries from full back, Oliver Nix and Jack Roberts to take a 10-7 lead.
Winger, Craig Riley soon regained the lead for Cas with a try in the corner which Mattison converted.
Further excellent open rugby opened up a length of the field score for a second Nix try, and a one-point lead for the visitors.
The Castleford fightback was swift and devasting as the forwards settled and took control. Second rower, Steve Parkinson strode powerfully through three would-be tackles to stretch over for his debut first team score. Mattison converted. Mattison's penalty to touch ten metres out set the platform for the final score of the first half as second rower, Gareth Grant-Mills reached out from the resulting rolling maul.
Clever interplay opened up the students' defensive line and the Cas flanker, Kean Hiscock skated in under the posts for the opening score of the second half. Mattison converted all of the five second half tries.
Grant-Mills added his second from another rolling maul. Skipper, Jamie Owens put scrum half Ben Mayes through a gap for the next try.
Then followed the best try of the game as forwards and backs combined with Parkinson, Firth, and Riley sending Callum Armstrong in for his debut score.
A second Mayes try following an offload from Grant-Mills near the line finished the try-scoring feast.
Big credit must go to the Leeds side, who kept going throughout the game and will cause teams problems with a full compliment. The 1XV look forward to welcoming Burley RUFC next Saturday, which is also the club’s annual Vice Presidents’ Dinner.
Castleford RUFC 2XV also kicked their season off with a strong win, with many debutants and returning players putting in some strong performances. They beat Cleckheaton 3XV 34-24 with tries from Connor Cambridge, George Constantine (2), Nathan Tomlinson, Ben Gibson and Craig Smith with conversions from Constantine and Gibson.
Senior training is Tuesday and Thursday, meeting 18:45, training 19:00 until 20:00.