Castleford Tigers Supporters Club

The Tigers winning streak came to an end at The Jungle on Saturday night when they were edged out in a thriller by the Huddersfield Giants with a 24-26 final score.

The Tigers were able to name an unchanged line up as they looked to make it 4 in a row for the clash played in difficult conditions with a strong wind playing havoc for both sides kickers.

Giants kicked off regathered possession as the ball held up in the wind and within seconds of the start Jamahl Lolesi was crashing over for a try which full back Brett Hodgson converted to give the Giants a fantastic start.

The Tigers hit back almost straight away as former Cas prop Keith Mason was penalised for a high tackle. From the position James Evans was unable to take Ryan McGoldrick's long pass with the line open and a chance went begging.

The Aussie made up for it a few moments later taken a Brent Sherwin pass to score after Sherwin's initial pass had sent Richard Owen down the Tigers left. The ball moved right and the scrum half's ball gave Evans the chance which he too in style. Kirk Dixon added the extras to tie the scores.

Three minutes later and the impressive Mitchell Sargent made a powerful charge up the middle to get the Tigers on the front foot and skipper Ryan Hudson sent Craig Huby crashing over from close range.

Huddersfield hit back within four minutes as a well judged Luke Robinson kick saw winger David Hodgson take to score in the corner for the first of his 3 tries. Brett Hodson couldn't convert and the lead was cut back to 2 points.

With the game fluctuating it was Tigers turn to exert some pressure and Michael Shenton tackled Brett Hodgon in goal after the full back had spilled a towering Sherwin bomb. From the resulting set of 6 Cas made a neat blindside move on the last tackle which saw Shenton held up over the line after referee Steve Ganson had asked the video ref to intervene.

Ganson handed another decision the man upstairs when McGoldrick and Joe Westerman combined to send Brett Ferres in but he lost possession in the act of scoring and the try was ruled out. Ferres was by now operating in the centre after Shenton had left the field with an injury. 

It was the Giants turn next with Leroy Cudjoe being forced into touch by Owen when looking certain to score. Then David Hodgson went in for a 2nd which again the video ref was asked to rule on. Again the try was too far out for Brett Hodgson to convert giving the visitors a 2 point lead at the break.

Huddersfield extended their lead when David Hodgson completed his hat-trick taking the final pass after a Cudjoe break was foiled by McGoldrick. Brett Hodgson converted the try to extend the lead to 8 points.

Cas enjoyed an extended spell of pressure and that pressure told as first Huby went in from a McGoldrick pass then Ferres went in after a high paced move saw Sherwin hand on to McGoldrick who sent Ferres in for a score. Dixon was unable to convert either try which proved crucial but the game was now level at 20-20.

The Tigers pounced again with a carbon copy of the Ferres try this tome Owen was on the receiving end of McGoldrick's pass but again the video ref ruled out a Cas score judging that the young winger had put a foot in touch.

Brett Hodgson then converted his own try as he managed to force his way over from close range then with Cudjoe in the sin bin Ferres went in for his 2nd try but with Dixon unable to convert and meant the final score was Cas 24 Huddersfield 26.

A disappointing result for the Tigers although a return of 6 points out of 10 is a good styart to the campaign with in particular McGoldrick and Sherwin the stand out performers. Huby, Sargent and Chris Feather have worked tirelessly in the engine room whilst the back row of Ferres, Stuart Jones and Westerman have shown good form. In the backs Evans, Shenton and Owen have been particularly impressive.

Next up is a trip to the KC Stadium for a big test against an in form Hull FC. There will be a hostile atmosphere awaiting Terry Matterson's men so it will be important to get off to a good start if they are to get back to winning ways.

Tigers: McGoldrick, Dixon, Evans, Shenton, Owen, Faumuina, Sherwin, Sargent, Hudson, Huby, Ferres, Jones, Westerman. Subs: Chase, Feather, Netherton, Widders  

Giants: B. Hodgson, Cudjoe, Lawrence, Whatuira, D. Hodgson, Brown, Robinson, Jackson, Moore, Mason, Lolesi, Wild, Walsh. Subs: Lunt, Griffin, Kirmond, Larne

Referee: Steve Ganson                            Attendance 6574

Normytigers Man of the Match

1st Mitchell Sargent 3 points

2nd Brent Sherwin 2 points

3rd Craig Huby 1 point