Castleford Tigers Supporters Club

The Tigers got off to a winning start to the 2010 Superleague season, pulling off what many experts considered a shock win, at a foggy Headingley Carnegie Stadium. Shock maybe but a win that was fully deserved as Terry Matterson's outfit overturned a 10-6 half time deficit to score 18 unanswered points to come out 24 - 10 victors.

Matterson handed a debut to new signing Steve Snitch in the 2nd row whilst Paul Jackson started his second spell with the Tigers at prop. Ryan McGoldrick started at full back with Richard Owen deputising for Kirk Dixon on the wing. For the Rhinos new faces Brett Delaney started in the centre with Greg Eastwood starting on the bench.

The early stages of the game, played in very heavy conditions, saw both sides battle to get a strangle hold on the game. Chances were non existant but some solid defence from both sides certainly kept the large crowd entertained.

The Rhinos looked like breaking the deadlock, on 18 minutes, when Rob Burrow and Eastwood combined to give Scott Donald an opportunity in the corner but the winger knocked on as under pressure from Michael Wainwright.

5 minutes later the home side did go in front. Rhinos skipper Kevin Sinfield's kick looked to be rolling dead but poacher Danny McGuire managed to touch down for a try which referee Ian Smith awarded after consultation with his in goal judge. Sinfield tagged on the extras to give them a 6-0 lead.

The home side enjoyed a spell of pressure and Sinfield put Jamie Jones Buchanan through a gap but the 2nd row man was caught in possession with men in support. Eastwood was then tackled short as the Tigers defence worked overtime.

A high kick from was allowed to bounce between Owen and McGoldrick but as it fell to Keith Senior the centre kicked on but to his despair the ball rolled dead.

After trying a number of high kicks early in the game which were dealt with by the Rhinos backline, Brent Webb, Ryan Hall and Donald, Ryan Hudson changed the tactics. The Tigers skipper darted from dummy half put in a neat kick which James Evans followed up to register the Tigers 1st score. Craig Huby converted to level the scores at 6 each.

Any thoughts that it would stay that way at the interval were quickly dispelled as the Tigers did their best tho gift the home side possession. A couple of knock ons in dangerous areas were penalised as McGuire's long pass sent Delaney in, too far out for Sinfield to convert as the home side went in deservedly 10-6 up at half time.

Matt Diskin broke from only the 3rd tackle after the restart and sent Jones-Buchanan on a cgarge deep into Tigers territory but once again he held on with McGuire in support and when he eventually passed back to Diskin the hooker knocked on and an opportunity went begging.

As the game flowed from end to end a Sherwin kick was fielded by Hall but the winger was tackled in goal forcing a drop out. After knocking on a Sinfield McGoldrick brilliantly dealt with another as both lines held firm.

On 51 minutes Snitch was held up over the line and the a Rangi Chase kick was forced dead as the Tigers began to build up a spell of pressure and when scrum half Brent Sherwin turned the ball inside to Joe Westerman and theloose forward powered his way over beside the posts for a try which he duly converted to edge Cas in front.

Moments later and the Cans fans were celebrating again as another Chase kick was forced dead to earn his side another set of six and when the Kiwi pushed another grubber behind the Rhinos line half back partner Sherwin was first to the ball for another Tigers try. Westerman again converted to extend the lead to 8 points.

The Tigers showed a maturity that was missing on occasions last year and instead of throwing the ball around they took a patient approach and with Chase and Sherwin becoming a greater influence as the game wore on Cas piled the pressure on as the Champions began to look a tired team. 

On a rare forray into the Tigers half Burrow forced a pass to Senior but any opportunity for the centre quickly disappeared as he knocked on under presure from Evans.

More Tigers pressure saw Webb tackled in goal after Sherwin's kick and another Chase kick was forced dead to earn yet another goal line drop out. That pressure finally told as the last went to Cas when a beautifully timed inside ball from Chase found sub Dean Widders who charged in from close range. Westerman's conversion attempt was successful with the help of the upright to make the final score Leeds Rhinos 10 Castleford Tigers 24.

A magnificent team effort from the Tigers 17 gave the travelling fans plenty to shout about and the sight of the Rhinos fans leaving in droves 10 minutes from the end only added to their enjoyment.

Throughout the side there were notable perfomances. The pack worked tirelessly and tackled manfully. Jackson and Snitch were both impressive whilst Huby, Liam Higgins and Joe Westerman got through a mountain of work. Half backs Sherwin and Chase dictated the tempo as the Tigers dominated the 2nd half but skipper Ryan Hudson gets the nod for Man of the Match for a great all round display.

Next up is a big test in front of the Sky cameras as Warrington Wolves head to The Jungle. The Wolves have recruited well for 2010 and after winning the Challenge Cup last year their expectations will be high.

It promises to be a cracking encounter as the Tigers will go into the game full of confidence after this fantastic performance and result so hoefully a big crowd will be there to witness it.

Tigers: McGoldrick, Owen, Shenton, Evans, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Jackson, Hudson, Higgins, Ferres, Snitch, Westerman. Subs: Huby, Sargent, Widders, Jones.

Rhinos: Webb, Donald, Delane, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Bailey, Buderus, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield. Subs: Diskin, Eastwood, Lauiititi, Burgess.

Referee: Ian Smith                               Attendance: 15875

Normytigers Man of the Match

1st Ryan Hudson 3 points

2nd Joe Westerman 2 points

3rd Craig Huby 1 point