Castleford 66 Doncaster 4
Match Report taken from http://www.ctsc.org.uk written by NormyTiger
Another game
against the Lakers and another comfortable victory as Terry Matterson’s Tigers
racked up a 66-4 victory and a repeat score line of the league game televised by
Sky back in April. The Tigers have now amassed a total of 226 points against the
troubled Lakers in 4 competitive games whilst only conceding 22.
In the days preceding the game coach Matterson had said that he was looking to
shut out Doncaster and keep them scoreless but his wishes evaporated after only
7 minutes when Michael Shenton was caught in a 3 – 1 situation and centre Damien
Munro went in out wide. Craig Skelton missed with the conversion attempt and the
Lakers held a shock 4-0 lead.
It took the Tigers only 5 minutes to hit back when a Liam Higgins offload and a
neat Ryan McGoldrick inside ball saw Mark Leafa charge through a big gap for a
try which Kirk Dixon, standing in for the injured Danny Brough, converted to put
Cas in front.
From then on in the Tigers then scored at regular intervals with Mike being the
next to profit. Dixon spun out of a tackle and fed McGoldrick who in turn found
Wainwright who scored a try which Dixon couldn’t convert although he was back on
target when McGoldrick broke free of a tackle and crossed for a 4 pointer of his
own. At 16-4 it looked like a big score was on the cards.
Surprisingly it took a further 14 minutes for Cas to score again but they
finished the 1st half with a flourish as a Tere Glassie drive set the position
for McGoldrick to send Ryan Clayton for a try near the corner. Dixon converted
from the touchline and was on target again within a minute as Leafa drove the
ball forward. A quick play the ball and Dwayne Barker picked the ball from dummy
half and raced 60 metres for a tremendous score to give the Tigers a 28-4 half
time lead.
The second half was only 7 minutes old when a Leafa offload was carried on by
McGoldrick who drew the fullback to send Joe Westerman in for the 4 points.
Dixon was again off target.
Dixon was then a big influence on the next score with a great 1 on 1 steal which
created the position for McGoldrick to send Wainwright over for his 2nd try of
the game. Westerman took over the goal kicking duties and duly added the
conversion from the touchline.
McGoldrick ran the ball on the last tackle and lost the ball over the line and
then a quick play the ball by Stuart Donlan and a Richard Owen break created the
opportunity for Glassie to offload enabling Barker to cross for his 2nd. No goal
from Dixon but he was back on target when a break from McGoldrick sent Leafa
away who in turn fed Glassie for a four pointer.
3 more tries followed in the last 12 minutes as firstly Westerman received from
Owen for his 2nd. A Shenton break and pass sent Barker in for his hat trick and
Leafa crossed for his 2nd with just a few minutes left on the clock. Dixon
converted all 3 tries for a 62 point winning margin.
It was a good all round display by the Tigers and impressive on the day were
McGoldrick, Leafa, Westerman, Barker, Wainwright and Higgins.
Next up is Batley Bulldogs at Mount Pleasant on Sunday week as Cas face a week
off whilst Widnes do battle with Whitehaven in Blackpool for the NR Cup.
Tigers: Donlan, Shenton, Barker, Dixon, Wainwright, McGoldrick, Lupton,
Higgins, Henderson, Leafa, Guttenbiel, Clayton, Westerman. Subs: Owen Glassie,
Huby, Charles.
Lakers; Skelton, Close, Munro, Woods, Brown, Gale, Speak, Rowe,
Richardson, Castle, Green, Leaf, Benson. Subs: Mills, Potter, Burgess Lawton
Attendance: 4109
Referee: D Merrick
Batley 6 Castleford 42
Match Report taken from http://www.ctsc.org.uk written by NormyTiger
Castleford Tigers,
refreshed from a week off, scored an emphatic win over a spirited Batley
Bulldogs at Mount Pleasant despite being down to 12 men for the entire second
half, after Ryan McGoldrick’s first half dismissal.
The 6-42 score line in the Tigers favour does not tell the whole story as they
were made to work hard for the win with Terry Matterson praising his pack for
laying a solid platform and his backs for finishing off the job with loan
signing Danny Williams helping himself to a hat trick and fellow debutant
Anthony Thackray showing an eye for a break and some neat touches.
Despite playing up the famous Mount Pleasant slope for the first 40, the Tigers
were on the attack from the start. McGoldrick’s high kick was palmed dead by Ash
Lindsay and then both Peter Lupton and Andy Henderson went close before a last
tackle ‘power play’ saw Lupton combine with Michael Shenton who sent Williams in
for his 1st try in a Tigers shirt with only 8 minutes on the clock. Kirk Dixon
converted with a magnificent kick from the touchline.
The Bulldogs hit straight back and after full back Jamie Stokes had been tackled
short, Williams had to defuse a Tom Hemingway ‘bomb’. It was only temporary
respite as Cas surged forward. Dixon forced Kevin Doyle to knock the ball dead
after a neat kick and chase but the centre wasn’t to be denied when on the 20
minute mark he took a long pass from McGoldrick to move smartly between Doyle
and Ollie Marns to score from 35 metres out. He followed it up with another
touchline conversion and the Tigers were 12-0 up.
Another McGoldrick long pass sent Dixon away but this time his inside pass went
loose and the chance went begging. Then Awen Guttenbiel failed to ground the
ball after charging through the Batley defence.
McGoldrick then saw the red card for his part in a fracas near the Cas try line.
Some of the Batley players seemed to take offence to a tackle by the Aussie and
from the ensuing altercation he was sent from the field by referee Gareth Hewer
for an alleged head butt. Immediately the Bulldogs pulled back 6 points as 2nd
row Tommy Gallagher scored and Hemingway converted to give the half time score
line 6-12.
With the slope now in their favour the Tigers attack took charge blitzing 30
unanswered points showing a ruthless streak and some impressive finishing.
Thackray was introduced on the 43 minute mark and with only his 2nd touch of the
ball he sliced through the Batley line to create a try for Lupton. Dixon was
again on target with the conversion but couldn’t add the extras to his own try
after Lupton and Dwayne Barker combined to send him in on another last tackle
play.
The numbers were evened up after Hemingway was sin binned for holding down Mike
Wainwright after the former Batley winger had made good yards. In his absence
the Tigers added a further 2 tries with Shenton forcing his way over for an
unconverted score and then Williams adding his 2nd after good work from Tere
Glassie, who showed a willingness to offload all afternoon, Henderson and
Shenton. Another towering Dixon conversion from the touchline took the score to
6-32.
Dixon was again on target as Guttenbiel crashed through a number of would be
tacklers for a well deserved try but was unable to add the 2 points on the
stroke of full time after Williams had completed a fine hat trick.
All in all it was a satisfying performance for the Tigers with Glassie,
Guttenbiel, Boyle and Huby getting through a ton of work. Henderson was as busy
as ever and behind a dominant pack of forwards the backs were given the
opportunity to display their skills. Lupton guided the team around the field
impressively; Thackray looked sharp on debut and the three quarter line looked
dangerous throughout.
With the line up missing Mark Leafa, Danny Brough, Joe Westerman and Richard
Owen there now appears to be stiff competition for places as we approach the
business end of the season and with some tough away fixtures looming it will
certainly keep players on their toes and Cas fans should be looking forward to
some good performances.
Next up is a trip to Batley’s Heavy Woollen neighbours Dewsbury Rams for a tough
looking encounter. Former Tigers Dom and Francis Maloney have been in impressive
form recently and the Rams have recently strengthened their squad with the
signing ex Warrington, Wakefield and Hull utility man Sid Domic.
Tigers:
Donlan, Williams, Shenton, Dixon, Wainwright, Lupton, McGoldrick, Higgins,
Henderson, Glassie, Guttenbiel, Charles, Clayton. Subs: Barker, Thackray, Huby,
Boyle.
Bulldogs:
Stokes, Doyle, Cardiss, Marns, Lindsay, Colley, Hemingway, Henderson, Lythe,
Stenchion, Toohey, T. Gallagher, J. Gallagher. Subs: Spears, Menzies, Watson,
Simpson
Referee Gareth Hewer
Attendance 2378
Dewsbury 10 Castleford 36
Match Report taken from http://www.ctsc.org.uk written by NormyTiger
fter last week’s
victory at Batley, Castleford Tigers ended their ‘Heavy Woollen Tour’ with a
comfortable 10-36 win with Michael Shenton taking the individual honours with a
well taken hat trick.
Once again Terry Matterson shuffled his pack and dealt out a hand that had Ryan
McGoldrick at full back, although wearing the number 4 shirt (Kirk Dixon wore
number 1) and Anthony Thackeray joined Peter Lupton in the half back berths. The
pack had a familiar look to it with Liam Higgins and Tere Glassie either side of
skipper Andy Henderson with Awen Guttenbiel, Chris Charles and Ryan Clayton in
the back row. Stuart Donlan dropped back to the bench alongside Craig Huby, Ryan
Boyle and the recalled Joe Westerman.
For Dewsbury new signing Sid Domic lined up opposite Shenton with Patrick Walker
in for the departed ex Tiger Francis Maloney. Another ex Tiger Dom Maloney
started at prop with experienced former Halifax player Andy Hobson. Dean Lawford
started at scrum half and former Wakefield man Austin Buchanan on the wing.
The Tigers got off to a flyer and were soon camped in the Rams 20 metre area
with the help of a couple of early penalties. Thackeray kicked through and
forced a goal line drop out as Danny Maun knocked on over his own line. From the
repeat set Shenton was in at the corner for his 1st after neat handling by
Lupton, McGoldrick and Clayton. Dixon was off target with the goal attempt from
the touchline.
Cas continued to press the Rams line and only brave defence prevented Liam
Higgins from scoring from a last tackle charge. Hobson was then penalised for a
high shot on Henderson and the position was then set for another try. Glassie
ran hard and gave a great offload and when the ball was transferred to the left
via Clayton who found Shenton who forced his way over for his 2nd.
Again Dixon was off target from the touchline but he did convert the next score
from straight in front of the posts. The try itself would have pleased the
Tigers coaching staff as it came as a result of tremendous pressure on kicker
Lawford. Andy Henderson was the beneficiary as he charged down the kick,
re-gathered and then raced fully 40 metres for a score (bet it’s a 60 metre run
by Tuesday). The skipper was obviously delighted with the score as the broad
grin and punch of the air showed.
Dewsbury tried to exert a bit of pressure and a kick from Lawford on the last
tackle looked to have created a try for winger Bryn Powell but after
consultation with his touch judge, referee Dawber disallowed the score.
On the half hour mark Thackeray scored his first try in Tigers colours as he
finished off a last tackle play that involved Lupton and McGoldrick, who found
Dixon. Mike Wainwright was in support and when he cut inside he found the half
back and gave him a run to the posts. Dixon converted again and he was on target
6 minutes later after Lupton showed the ball and then forced his way through 2
would be tackles and the Tigers had a 26 point half time lead.
Dewsbury started the 2nd half well and applied pressure to the Cas line but with
some sterling defence the Rams were unable to score. As Cas then started to turn
the tide Charles was held just short on the last tackle.
Another ‘power-play’ saw Thackeray send Clayton force his way over despite the
attentions of a pair of defenders. Dixon converted with a magnificent effort
from the touch line. Thackeray then sent the impressive Shenton in for his hat
trick as the Tigers ended their scoring Wainwright was pulled back for a knock
on and Danny Williams was tackled in to touch when fed by Shenton.
The Rams continued to work hard, none more than Powell who had a 2nd score ruled
out, this time for offside as he again followed up a Lawford kick. They got
their rewards in the 72nd minute when Hobson crashed over from close range.
Hooker Liam Finn converted but was unable to add the extras to Buchanan’s late
score in the corner.
With the exception of a couple of late lapses the defence of the Tigers was
excellent and the discipline was good in response to a number of high shots that
were received. The forwards worked hard all afternoon especially as due to
injuries to McGoldrick, Lupton and Huby left the Tigers with only one
interchange for around 30 minutes.
In attack McGoldrick joined the line well from full back, Shenton looked classy
in the centre and both Thackeray and Lupton were sharp and creative in the half
back positions.
It’s back to The Jungle next week as Sheffield Eagles are the visitors. The
Tigers will be looking to continue their winning run in preparation for the
tough away trips to Whitehaven and Widnes ahead.
Tigers: McGoldrick, Williams, Shenton, Dixon, Wainwright, Lupton,
Thackeray, Higgins, Henderson, Glassie, Guttenbiel, Charles, Clayton. Subs:
Westerman, Boyle, Donlan, Huby.
Rams: Hall, Powell, Domic, Maun, Buchanan, Walker, Lawford, Hobson, Finn,
Maloney, Bretherton, Robinson, Weeden Subs: Kelly, Crawley, Crouthers, Helme.
Ref M. Dawber.
Attendance 3010
Castleford 52 Sheffield 26
Match Report taken from http://www.ctsc.org.uk written by NormyTiger
On a scorching hot
Sunday afternoon, summer rugby finally arrived at The Jungle as Castleford
Tigers racked up a comprehensive 52-26 victory against a spirited Sheffield
Eagles side.
Danny Brough was recalled at scrum half alongside Anthony Thackeray, whilst
Dwayne Barker returned in the 2nd row with Joe Westerman coming in at loose
forward. Ryan Clayton and Chris Charles dropped back to the bench alongside
Richard Owen and Ryan Boyle.
The Eagles started brightly and a 4th minute kick by stand off Gavin Brown was
hacked dead by Brough. Within a couple of minute’s former Tigers scrum half
Dominic Brambani kicked a well struck penalty goal after Kirk Dixon was pulled
for a high tackle by referee Child.
This seemed to kick start the Tigers and a neat inside ball from Thackeray sent
Awen Guttenbiel charging for the line but the ex Kiwi test forward lost the ball
with the line at his mercy. As continued to press centre Michael Shenton went
close and from the resulting play the ball Thackeray showed the ball to
Guttenbiel then darted through a gap in the defence to score between the
uprights. Dixon added the extras and Cas were 6-2 in front.
Brambani was off target with a drop goal attempt for the Eagles and then neat
handling by the Tigers involving Brough, Stuart Donlan and Westerman saw Charles
tackled just short. Westerman forced his way over from dummy half and Dixon
added the extras to stretch the margin to 10 points.
On 27 minutes Eagles centre James Ford scored wide out from a lovely weighted
kick from Brown. Brambani was unable to add the extras and 5 minutes on loan
winger Danny Williams was in for his 4th try in 3 appearances, aided and abetted
by a neat Brough break and a carry and well timed pass from Shenton. Dixon again
goaled to give Cas a lead of 18-6, just before the break.
The Eagles continued to battle hard and Brambani added a penalty when the Tigers
were guilty of holding down then he added conversion when Brown broke through
weak defence to score on the stroke of half time to make it 18-14 in the Tigers
favour.
The Tigers started the 2nd half in top gear and quickly extended their lead when
Thackeray followed a Brough break to cross for his 2nd which Dixon once again
converted. Barker was next to cross only 2 minutes later as a great offload by
Guttenbiel set up the position for Thackeray to send in the 2nd row man for his
1st of the game. Brough was this time on target with the conversion.
Cas continued to press and when Brough’s bomb was caught well by Eagles full
back Rob Worrincey, Thackeray’s hit on the ex-Tiger forced a goal line drop out
with the next score form the resulting set of 6 when a Charles offload was
intercepted by Eagles centre Ford who raced fully 85 metres out pacing the Cas
defence for a try against the run of play. Brambani converted and it was 30-20.
A Brambani kick was caught by Brough who raced 50 metres before being caught.
The ball was transferred right and then back to the left where the scrum half
was able to send Shenton in for a try that was converted by Dixon. The centre
was then on target converting his own try after good work from Thackeray, then
Barker went in for his 2nd try from a neat pass from skipper Andy Henderson
which Brough duly converted.
Brough then sent out a beautiful log pass for Shenton to score his 2nd of the
game to which Dixon was unable to convert. Hard working prop Liam Higgins was
then adjudged to have been held up over the line as he went looking for his
first try of the season (to avoid the traditional naked run) and then a Brough
kick saw Thackeray hunting his hat trick but was pulled up for offside.
The last word went to the Eagles as another former Tiger gave a neat offload to
the supporting Paul Pickering who in turn sent Worrincey in for a try converted
once again by Brambani to make the final score Cas 52 Sheffield 26.
Not a great performance from the Tigers who possibly had an eye on the tough
trip to Cumbria in 4 days time. The game at Whitehaven is being covered by Sky
so no doubt they will want to put on a good showing for the Cameras.
Tigers
Stuart Donlan, Danny Williams, Michael Shenton, Kirk Dixon, Michael Wainwright,
Anthony Thackeray ,Danny Brough, Liam Higgins, Andrew Henderson, Tere Glassie,
Awen Guttenbiel, Dwayne Barker, Joe Westerman
Subs:
Richard Owen, Ryan Boyle, Ryan Clayton, Chris Charles
Eagles
Rob Worrincy, Danny Mills, James Ford, Damien Reid, Greg Hurst, Paul Pickering,
Dominic Brambani, Jack Howieson, Craig Brown, Mitchell Stringer, Gavin Brown,
Tommy Trayler, Adam Hayes
Subs: Richard Newlove, Ged Corcoran, Brendon, Lindsay, Grant Edwards
Referee:- T Childs
Attendance:- 4538
Whitehaven 12 Castleford 20
Match Report taken from http://www.ctsc.org.uk written by NormyTiger
Castleford Tigers
stretched their unbeaten run with a Sky televised win at Whitehaven by 20 points
to 12 taking them to the top of NL1.
Coach Terry Matterson was forced into making a late change with Awen Guttenbiel
withdrawing due to a Pelvic injury, Richard Owen coming into the 17 as
replacement after playing for the under 18s the previous night.
Chris Charles came into the starting 13 alongside Ryan Clayton and Joe Westerman
in a workmanlike back 3. Skipper Andy Henderson, Liam Higgins and Tere Glassie
making up the rest of the Tigers pack. Danny Brough and Anthony Thackeray
continued at half back with Stuart Donlan at full back, Danny Williams, Michael
Shenton, Kirk Dixon and Michael Wainwright making up the back line. Joining Owen
on the bench was Dwayne Barker, Ryan Boyle and returning from injury Mark Leafa.
A travelling support of around 700 was present as the game kicked off in the
evening sunshine. The early encounters were fierce and Haven took advantage of a
Williams knock on. From the resulting scrum they were able to gain the position
for scrum half John Duffy to send former Tiger Richard Fletcher charging through
for a 3rd minute try. Carl Rudd added the conversion for an early 6-0 lead.
Gradually the Tigers took hold of the game thanks to tremendous graft from the
forwards and the growing influence of Brough who seemed to have a hand, or foot,
in everything that Cas were doing.
Firstly a towering bomb forced a goal line drop out and another saw Dixon
challenging but was unable to take the ball. A third one saw Haven full back
Gary Broadbent drop the ball in front of his own posts. The position was now set
and when Cas were awarded a penalty form holding it was only a matter of time
before the Whitehaven defence cracked. Henderson was held short and from the
play the ball Brough fed Charles who gave a well timed short pass to send
Clayton in for the opening Tigers try. Brough added the extras to level the
scores.
Fletcher went hunting a 2nd try against his former team mates but had the effort
ruled out by video ref Ray Tennant after a knock on by Rob Jackson. Then the
tide turned once again in the Tigers favour as Brough was on target with a
massive 40-20 that gave not only his side but the Tigers fans a real lift.
Brough then forced another goal line dropout and his next bomb saw the next try
, as Dixon soaredto take the ball , this was then converted by the scrum half to
put the Tigers in front.
With only a few minutes to go before the half time break most would have
expected that 6-12 would be the half time score but Cas had other ideas as
Thackeray’s long ball found Donlan. The full back eased between Haven defenders
and sprinted clear on a 50 metre break before sending Barker on a 20 metre
unopposed run to the posts for a cracking try. Brough again converted to give
the Tigers a 12 point margin at the break.
The 2nd half was only 2 minutes old when Haven were pulled up for ball stealing
and Brough popped over the resulting penalty to stretch the Tigers lead.
The next score came 21 minutes later when Haven had a stroke of luck. Fletcher,
Broadbent and Graeme Mattinson had all gone close before Duffy put in a last
tackle kick. The ball struck an upright and went straight to Simon Baldwin who
scored beside the posts. Duffy added the extras and with 15 minutes remaining
the game was really set for a tense finish.
Both sides worked hard and some uncompromising defence kept the scores the same
as they matched everything their opponents could muster.
Too often Cas lost the ball in good position, invariably after Brough kicks had
set up the opportunities and Haven tended to rely on Duffy or tried to utilise
the pace of Calvert but clear cut chances were kept to a minimum.
A great victory in the end for the Tigers as the Recreation Ground is still a
tough place to go and get a result and the result certainly sets the scene for
the next game against Widnes at the Halton Stadium again in front of the Sky
cameras.
Worryingly for Cas coach Terry Matterson, the Tigers already without Craig Huby,
Ryan McGoldrick, Peter Lupton and Guttenbiel picked up injuries to skipper
Henderson (broken nose) and Barker (leg) to stretch the squad to the limits.
Hopefully these won’t be too serious and that we can travel to Widnes with a
near full strength team for the top of the table encounter.
Tigers
Stuart Donlan, Danny Williams, Michael Shenton, Kirk Dixon, Michael Wainwright,
Anthony Thackeray ,Danny Brough, Liam Higgins, Andrew Henderson, Tere Glassie,
Chris Charles, Ryan Clayton, Joe Westerman
Subs:
Richard Owen, Dwayne Barker, Ryan Boyle, Mark Leafa
Whitehaven
Gary Broadbent, Craig Calvert, David Seeds, Rob Jackson, Steve Maden, Carl Rudd,
John Duffy, Simon Baldwin, Graeme Mattinson, David Fatialofa, Spencer Miller,
Richard Fletcher, Lerot Joe
Subs:
Carl Sice, Aaron Smith, Marc Jackson, Howard Hill
Referee:- Ian Smith