Round 26
Castleford Tigers 44 d. Warrington Wolves 24

2008 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Castleford put dents in Wolves home final ambitions
Mon August 25, 2008
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Castleford Tigers again made a mockery of their position at the foot of the engage Super League table by producing a stunning performance to see of Warrington Wolves at the Jungle.

Terry Matterson's side are all but certain to finish the season rooted to the bottom, but have belied their standing on a number of occasions this season - and can now add the Wolves to their impressive list of scalps thanks to tonight's 10-try show.

Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens have all left West Yorkshire on the wrong end of the result this campaign - and after this defeat, Warrington's race with Wigan to secure fourth place will go down to the last weekend of the season.

The play-offs have rarely been in the equation for Castleford, but it did not show as they produced a fine first-half showing to lead 22-12 at the break.

Their lead would have been far greater without Kirk Dixon's four missed conversions.

Awen Guttenbeil had already had a try ruled out by the video referee by the time Luke Dorn opened the scoring with a length-of-the-field interception off a Lee Briers pass in the sixth minute.

Briers made amends a minute later when he crossed under the posts, following smart work from Jon Clarke and Ben Westwood.

Castleford were soon back in front, though, Michael Wainwright cantering in at the corner following a long pass from Michael Shenton.

Despite their league position, Castleford's attacking prowess has never been in question - and that was underlined further when a delightful move started by Ryan McGoldrick and finished by Stuart Donlan provided them with their 100th try of the season.

Again Warrington responded as Chris Riley touched down, after Wainwright failed to deal with a Briers kick - the video referee confirming the score.

After a period of relative quiet, Castleford regained their momentum with two quick tries that extended their lead to 10 points.

Wainwright squeezed in at the corner for his second, Donlan doing the same just before the hooter as Shenton went close and spilled the ball into his path.

Wainwright might have been in for a hat-trick two minutes after the interval. But Dixon sent his pass flying into touch, and that proved costly as Matt Blythe side-stepped his way through the Castleford rearguard to reach out and touch down.

Castleford refused to buckle, though, and effectively sealed the win with two almost identical tries.

Both were scored by winger Richard Owen and both created superbly by the outstanding Shenton. His two deft passes left Owen the simplest of tasks in at the corner.

Despite Craig Huby taking over the kicking duties, both conversions were missed, leaving Castleford 12 points shy of the total they could have achieved.

But with Briers in the sin bin after a needless swing at Dorn, they were more than comfortable at 30-18.

That fact was emphasised when Ned Catic barged his way past Riley to score, Huby finally converting.

Riley redeemed himself slightly by posting his second score, on the end of Michael Monaghan's cute kick, and Castleford had to produce some heroic defence to keep out three back-to-back sets immediately afterwards.

With Warrington seemingly spent, Dixon snatched a ninth Castleford try after an exceptional reverse pass from Huby - and Wainwright made it 10 with his hat-trick in the corner after good work from McGoldrick.

Warrington ended the game with Briers carried off after a nasty looking injury, and Westwood in the sin bin.

Report Source: www.superleague.co.uk

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