Castleford Tigers Supporters Club

The Tigers coasted into the draw for the 5th round of the Challenge Cup with an 11 try display at Cougar Park. Stand off Rangi Chase crossed for a 2nd half hat trick whilst in-form winger Kirk Dixon helped himself to a 24 point haul with a try and 10 goals.

Terry Matterson used the game as an opportunity to rest one or two of his 1st team regulars giving fring players, Ryan Boyle, Nathan Massey and James Ford rare chances with all 3 acquitting themselves well. Boyle and Massey worked hard throughout whilst Ford did well to grab a try on debut and in doing so became the 900th player in the club's history to make the 1st team. 

Both sides battled hard but it was Cas who were the 1st to trouble the scoreboard, on 11 minutes, when Ryan McGoldrick sent Michael Shenton through a gap and the young centre finished well for a try that Dixon converted. Cas seemed to be able to break down the Cougars defence at will and both Craig Huby and Dean Widders made good breaks but were unable to extend the lead until 19 minutes when Liam Higgins crashed over from close range taking a neat pass from Kirk Netherton. Dixon again goaled but was off target 2 minutes later after he had climbed highest to gather a Brent Sherwin bomb to score in the corner and Cas had a 16 point lead with 21 minutes on the clock.

Keughley hit back when stand off Jon Presley dummied his way over for a score which scrum half Danny Jones converted.

Both sides played some enterprising rugby but were unable to add to the scores before the break and at the interval the Tigers held a 16-6 advantage.

Determined to make the game safe Cas started the 2nd half at a pace with 3 tries in the opening 9 minutes. Chase dummied his way over for the 1st and then Sub Sione Faumuina forced his way over from Chase's pass. Then when Keighley tried to force a pass Chase picked up and broke. He found the supporting Faumuina who sent James Evans through to score, Dixon converted all 3 to extend the lead to 34-6.

The Cougars showed great spirit and determination and sub Lee Mapals took a high kick from Presley to score in the corner. Jones couldn't add the extras. Mapals showed great pace and some elusive running to capitalise on over elaborate play from Cas and grab himself a hat trick in the process.

A dropped pass from Chase was picked up by the Cougars sub who despite the efforts of Shenton and Ford scored in the corner and then took advantage of another loose ball to race the full length and score under the posts. This time Jones converted to make the score 64-20.

Three minutes after Mapals 1st try Richard Owen went through a gap from a Faumuina pass then Chase completed his hat trick with 2 in 4 minutes. First he took a Netherton pass for his 2nd and a neat Dean Widders offload handed the stand off his 3rd. Again Dixon converted all 3.

The final Cas try was a beauty as Chase sent Widders through a gaping hole in the Keighley defence and the Auusie back row man drew the full back to send Netherton in for a try which Dixon converted.

All in all it was a satisfying performance by the Tigers, ensuring safe passage to the next round and with thhe likes of Leeds, Bradford, Harlequins and Hull already out of the competition Matterson's men will be looking for a good cup run and a favourable draw on Tuesday.

The Tigers now go into the Easter games full of confidence and will be looking for a big performance against local rivals Wakefield in the Good Friday clash at The Jungle. A big crowd is anticipated and then its a trip over to Warrington on Easter Monday befor St. Helens come to town the following Sunday.

Cougars: Raynor, Gardner, Smith, Williams, Duffy, Presley, Jones, Law, Feather, Cartledge, Gunney, Pursglove, Nicholson. Subs: Wray, Mapals, Hughes, Bissell.

Tigers: McGoldrick, DIxon, Evans, Shenton, Owen, Chase, Sherwin, Feather, Netherton, Massey, Huby, Widders, Westerman. Subs: Higgins, Boyle, Faumuina, Ford.

Referee: M Thomason                         Attendance: 3255

Normytigers Man of the Match

1st Rangi Chase 3 points

2nd Chris Feather 2 points

3rd Craig Huby 1 point