| Bradford Bulls Away |
The Tigers travelled to The Grattan Stadium to face a Bradford Bulls side, who were propping up the league after defeats to Huddersfield and St Helens, full of confidence but game unstuck losing by 41 points to 22 and lost young star Richard Owen, stretchered off with a broken leg. It was the home side whho started brightest and when high profile signing Matt Orford sent hard working prop Nick Scruton charging at the Tigers defence, the big prop broke 3 would be tacklers to score beside the posts. Orford converted and the Bulls were 6-0 up with only 5 minutes on the clock. Their lead soon became 12 points when Steve Menzies beat Michael Wainwright to take Orford's high kick and the veteran 2nd rower sent Ricki Sherriffe in at the corner. Orford was again on target and the Bulls couldn't have wished for a better start. Owen forced dead another Orford 'bomb' before Dave Halley chased his own kick forward but the ball rolled dead as the home side exerted all the pressure. Cas began to find their feet and after Brett Ferres had gone close, Ryan Hudson was held up over the line, then on the last tackle Rangi Chase kicked to the corner were Michael Shenton challenged Sherriffe for the ball. The Bulls winger couldn't take the ball under Shenton's pressure and as the ball crossed the try line the Tigers centre touched down and a try was awarded by video ref Ben Thaler. Westerman converted from wide out and Cas were back in the game. Andy Lynch went close for the Bulls and from the play the ball Heath L'Estrange sent Eliott Whitehead in from close range. Paul Sykes made a break off a Menzies pass and the centre found the supporting Brett Kearney who raced in for a try beside the uprights. Orford converted both and as the game reached the half hour mark the Bulls held a healthy 24-6 lead. Cas hadn't given up and after Shenton had gone close, Craig Huby produced an inch perfect chip for Owen to score in the corner. Westerman added the extras and on the stroke of half time Orford bobbed over a drop goal to give the home side a 25-12 lead at the break. In the opening minutes of the 2nd half Orford sent Kearney awa, the ball was transferred to Sykes who looked to have sent Sherriffe in at the corner but Wainwright produced a magnificent tackle to deny the Bulls winger. Cas' hopes took a shattering blow in the 54th minute when Owen, having fielded a kick, attempted to clear his line only to be halted by Glen Hall. The winger went down awkwardly and after a 5 minute stoppage was carried off on a stretcher with a broken leg. The episode obviously disrupted The Tigers, who were already missing Brent Sherwin and Dean Widders, and moments later Sykes put in a little kick which Serriffe hacked on and the supporting Halley grabbed the loose ball to grab another 4 pointer. Orford again converted and was on target again on 65 minutes when he sent his half back partner Kearney in for his 2nd try of the game. Cas wouldn't give up the fight and on 71 minutes Chase combined with Ryan McGoldrick who gave a well timed pass to Steve Snitch to score too far out for McGoldrick to convert. The tattooed Aussie was having a greater influence on the Tigers play and on 74 minutes put in a delicate chip kick which Hudson pounced on to score. Westerman converted from bang in front but it was the home side who had the final say when Kearney sent Sykes in with a pass that looked well forward. Orford was unable to convert but the final score read, Bulls 41 Tigers 22. A disappointing night for Cas, compounded with the loss of Owen who will be on the sidelines for a lengthy spell. Bradford however will enjoy the confidence boost of their 1st win of the season. Next up for Cas is another Sky TV clash as Hull KR visit The Jungle for another mouth watering encounter. Terry Matterson will be hoping that Sherwin is available again and will probably turn to youngster Jordan Thompson to replace Owen on the right wing. With Kirk Dixon only a couple of weeks away from a return, Matterson will be hoping that last season's top points scorer doesn't suffer any further setbacks. Tigers: McGoldrick, Owen, Evans, Shenton, Wainwright, Snitch, Chase, Jackson, Hudson, Higgins, Ferres, Jones, Westerman. Subs: Huby, Sargent, Clayton, Netherton. Bulls: Halley, Sherriffe, Sykes, Nero, Reardon, Kearney, Orford, Scruton, L'Estrange, Lynch, Menzies, Whitehead, Langley. Subs: Kopzcak, Hall, Godwin, Worrincey Referee: Thierry Alibert Attendance:8019 Normytigers Man of the Match
1st Ryan McGoldrick 3 points 2nd Mitchell Sargent 2 points 3rd Rangi Chase 1 point |
