Castleford Tigers Supporters Club

Watching Castleford Tigers is never dull and so it was proved as they advanced to the Quarter Final of the Carnegie Challenge Cup with a 'Golden Point' win courtesy of a Brent Sherwin drop goal 55 seconds into 'extra time' against Halifax at The Jungle.

With the scores level 34 apiece after 80 minutes of this 12 try thriller, the tie went into extra time and with the Tigers receiving the ball from the kick off held the initial advantage. They progressed to inside the Halifax half allowing Sherwin the opportunity to snatch the victory with a magnificent 40 metre strike on the last tackle.

With injuries to Richard Owen and Kirk Netherton, adding to a growing list, the Tigers were delighted to welcome back Joe Westerman to the starting line-up after his absence due to the horrific injury he received against St. Helens. Ryan McGoldrick reverted to full back with Stuart Jones starting in the hooking role. Ryan Boyle started at prop with Liam Higgins on the bench alongside Chris Feather, James Ford and Ryan Clayton.  

For Halifax, former Tigers Dwayne Barker and Frank Watene were in the 17 along with the likes of Ben Black, Bob Beswick, Mark Gleeson and the prolific Shad Royston. So it was never going to be plain sailing for Cas as Fax came into the game boasting an unbeaten start to their season.

In fact it was the visitors who started strongest taking the lead after only four minutes when Lee Patterson slotted over a penalty from in front of the posts after Cas had been pulled for offside. A Black 40-20 then put Cas on the back foot and when the influential scrum half put a neat kick to the Tigers' line, centre Royston was quickest to react to get the first try of the game. Patterson converted and Fax were 8-0 up after 10 minutes.

Barker then broke downfield to give Fax good field position but Black's kick went out on the full to relieve the pressure on the Tigers. A Sherwin bomb was dropped by Miles Greenwood giving Cas another set of 6 near the Halifax line but despite Brett Ferres Fax held out.

More Cas pressure saw a Sherwin pass to Michael Shenton intercepted by Gleeson, then Black's kick was caught over the Cas try line by Michael Wainwright to give Cas a 20 metre restart. From the restart Kirk Dixon made good yards. James Evans then broke before being tackled short of the try line. Westerman went close from acting half back before the ball was moved left to McGoldrick who dummied his way over for a try under the posts. Dixon converted to reduce the deficit to 2 points.

Another Patterson penalty extended the Fax lead before a great break by Rangi Chase took the Tigers into their opponents half before McGoldrick (twice), Sherwin and Westerman all handled to create the opportunity for Evans to score. Dixon again converted to edge Cas in front 12-10 although the lead only lasted a matter of minutes as 3 quick penalties gave Patterson the opportunity to level the scores.

Both sides were playing some good attacking rugby and when a long pass from Sean Penkywicz was intercepted by Dixon, the Tigers winger made some good groung to get Cas on the front foot. The ball was moved left to Shenton, via Chase and Sherwin, who crossed for an unconverted try to put Cas back in front.

As half time neared the Tigers piled on the pressure and a Sherwin kick was forced dead by Patterson earning Cas another set and when Westerman recieved the ball 20 metres out with both Evans and Dixon outside him another score looked on the cards but the young loose forward held on and the chance went begging. The Tigers though went in at half time with a slender 16-12 lead.

Halifax started the 2nd half in fine style as an offload by Dana Wilson set up the position for Barker to go in at the corner within 3 minutes of the restart. Patterson couldn't convert from the touchline but did add the extras moments later when Beswick pounced on a Clayton knock on to go over for the 1st of his 2nd half hat-trick. Fax were back in front and were good value for the lead.

A break from McGoldrick set up a Cas attack and when Patterson was unable to field a Chase kick, Dixon gratefully accepted the chance to score in the corner although he was unable to add the extras but the deficit was again back to 2 points.

Westerman and Dixon went close before a loose pass saw Shenton scramble back to regather possession for the Tigers. From the resulting play the ball Chase darted from dummy half to split the Halifax defence and race in for an unconverted try before McGoldrick went in for his 2nd from a Sherwin pass. Sherwin was on target with the conversion and Cas were now 30-22 in front.

To their credit Halifax wouldn't go away and with Black leading the way to deservedly take the Man of the Match award, they bounced back. From a Cas attack, Sherwin's long pass was intercepted by Black and the scrum half raced into the Cas 20 metre area before being tackled by Shenton and Dixon. From the resulting play 2nd row Paul Smith went close. Good play from Smith and Royston created an ovelap for winger James Haley but Wainwright was able to get across and bundle the Fax winger into touch. A break from Greenwood and quick play the ball allowed Penkywicz to scamper from dummy half earning his side a penalty. From it Beswick strolled in for his 2nd try. Patterson goaled and it was back to a 2 point margin.

Halifax now had their tails up and when Beswick went in for his hat-trick, with only 10 minutes remaining, their fans at the Railway End were in raptures and when Patterson goaled it seemed that a shock was on the cards.

The 2009 Tigers have a great spirit and, where in previous years they may have conceded defeat, they dug deep into their resources and a McGoldrick pass gave Westerman the opportunity to break down the right. The ball was now in the Fax 20 metre area and when Liam Higgins went close the ball was moved right to McGoldrick who found Sherwin and the scrum half dummied his way over to tie the scores. Sherwin then hit the post with the conversion attempt and with only 5 minutes remaining Penkywicz's attempted drop goal fell short and landed in McGoldrick's hands. The full back broke magnificently and took the Tigers into the Halifax half. The baal was moved across to the right and Ford dived in at the corner but took the flag out and the 80 minutes were up with the scores level at 34-34.

The dramatic finale then ensued taking the game into the history books as the first Challenge Cup Tie to be decided in such a way.

Some of the attack from both sides was excellent a lthough 12 tries in a game, 7 to Cas and 5 to Halifax, indicates some defensive work is needed by both coaches.

Next up for Cas is a Sky televised clash against the Superleague Champions Leeds Rhinos next Friday and Tigers fans will be no doubt hoping for a repeat of last season's memorable performance. A win would strengthen the Tigers place in the top 8 and put them on level points with Leeds. An interesting clash lies ahead and Terry Matterson will be hoping that he has a few of his troops back from injury for the game.

Tigers: McGoldrick, Dixon, Evans, Shenton, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Jones, Boyle, Ferres, Faumuina, Westerman. Subs: Feather, Higgins, Clayton, Ford

Halifax: Greenwood, Patterson, Barker, Royston, Haley, Penkywicz, Black, Wilson, Gleeson, Tamghart, Larder, Smith, Beswick. Subs: Roberts, Watene, Cherryholme, Wrench.

Referee: Steve Ganson                         Attendance: 5595

Normytiger's Man of the Match

1st Ryan McGoldrick 3 points

2nd Rangi Chase 2 points

3rd Mitchell Sargent 1 point