Castleford Tigers Supporters Club

Cas rounded off their Easter fixtures with a resounding victory at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, bouncing back from the Good Friday home defeat by Wakefield to beat Warrington 28-6 in front of 8202.

WIth Ryan McGoldrick still suspended, Richard Owen continued at full back whilst Brett Ferres came back into the Tigers pack with Nathan MAssey missing out. There was also a late call up for James Ford who earned a place on the bench.

Warrington were without Lee Briers as they looked to bounce back from a defeat at Salford on Good Friday but were still able to field the likes of Adrian Morley, Mickey Higham, Ben Westwood and big name Aussies; Matt King, Chris Hicks and Michael Monaghan.

The Tigers started well and were quickly on the attack after Paul Johnson knocked on from a Brent Sherwin bomb. From the resulting set of 6 a Mitchell Sargent offload saw Sione Faumuina, Rangi Chase and Owen before James Evans inside pass was picked off by Wolves winger Kevin Penny.

There was a lot of effort although both sides looked to be suffering from the effects of a game 2 days earlier as scoring opportunities were limited. With 20 minutes on the clock Morley went close for Warrington but knocked on close to the line. Wainwright came in off his line to put a big hit on Simon Grix and force a knock on from the Wolves centre.

Cas continued to battle hard and Penny did well to keep Sherwin's attempted 40-20 in play. Then a kick from Wolves stand of Chris Bridge was fielded by Owen but the full back tried to offload and the ball found Bridge but he knocked on when he seemed certain to score.

On 32 minutes Cas broke the deadlock with a well worked try. Sherwin moved the ball left and Michael Shenton's well timed pass found Wainwright. The winger still had lots to do as he broke down the touchline before committing Hicks to send Ferres in for a cracking try. Kirk Dixon added the extras to give the Tigers a 6-0 lead.

They were to hang on to the advantage until the break although it wasn't without a scare as KIng was held up over the line by some excellent defence.

On 47 minutes Louis Anderson went close and Hicks chased his own kick but it was marshalled dead by Owen. Chase then created space for Dixon and the wingers break was backed up well by Chase. The ball moved left through Sherwin (twice), Shenton and Joe Westerman but the chance went begging.

Cas weren't to be denied for long as midfield charges by Sargent, who was impressive again, Craig Huby and Liam Higgins set the position and when Sherwin fired out a long pass Wainwright had to break stride to collect. The winger though stepped inside and forced his way over for a well taken try. Dixon again goaled to double the Tigers lead.

12-0 soon became 18-0 as after Sherwin had gone close to gathering a Chase kick as Hicks forced the ball dead, the roles were reversed and Sherwin's beautifully judged kick was pounced upon by Chase for a score under the posts. Again Dixon converted.  

Credit to Warrington they tried to claw their way back into the game and when Gareth Carvell's offload was returned to him by Dixon the Wolves were in a good position. Bridge dummied his way over and Hicks converted to reduce the deficit but it was too little too late.

Cas sealed the victory with 2 late tries. Faumuina went close and when Chase and Sherwin combined to find Westerman out wide the young back row forward found Shenton who forced his way over from close range.

Dixon was off target this time but found his range again converting the final Cas score. KIrk Netherton found Chase and the stand off broke through the Warrington defence before accelerating away from Hicks for a classy score.

A good all round display from Cas with a number of good performances. Owen was outstanding at full back, whilst Wainwright did well on the left wing to score one and set one up. At half back Chase and Sherwin dictated play well and both Hudson & Netherton interchanged well in the hooking role. Sargent again impressed up front with some crunching hits in defence as well as making the hard yards.

Next up for the Tigers is a home game against league leaders St. Helens before a trip to Wales to meet Superleague new boys Celtic Crusaders.

Tigers: Owen, Dixon, Evans, Shenton, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Hudson, Higgins, Ferres, Faumuina, Westerman. Subs: Huby, Feather, Netherton, Ford.

Wolves: Hicks, Johnson, Grix, King, Penny, Bridge, Monaghan, Morley, Higham, Carvell, Anderson (Louis), Westwood, Harrison. Subs: Rauhihi, Wood, Blythe, Clarke.

Referee: Steve Ganson                        Attendance: 8202

Normytigers Man of the Match

1st Brent Sherwin 3 points

2nd Mitchell Sargent 2 points

3rd Rangi Chase 1 point