Round 26
Harlequins 0 l. Castleford Tigers 48

2009 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Westerman the star as Tigers book play-off spot
Mon September 7, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Joe Westerman's impressive hat-trick rubber-stamped Castleford Tigers' engage Super League play-off spot with a 48-0 victory over Harlequins RL, all but ensuring the home side will not make it in the process.

The two sides began the day with just two points between them but Westerman's heroics left Quins to wonder what might have been.

Mitchell Sargent and Dean Widders were also among the scorers but it was Westerman who stole the show.

The Tigers were rewarded for their early pressure after 16 minutes when stand-off Westerman went at full stretch for his sixth converted try of the season.

Westerman then doubled the lead just three minutes later with a run through the Quins pack for a converted try.

Quins started to have more of the possession, but were unable to find their way through a dogged Castleford back-line - so much so that their play was characterised by unforced handling errors.

Any hopes for the hosts of a quick comeback were dashed just three minutes after the restart, when centre Kirk Dixon powered his way over the try line down the right flank to effectively seal the victory for Tigers. Westerman's kick once again was successfully converted.

James Evans further compounded Quins' misery just three minutes later when he drove down low.

Westerman missed his first conversion of the day but the 19-year-old made amends after 52 minutes with yet another converted try at full stretch.

Castleford compounded Quins' pain four minutes later when Widders took advantage of Rangi Chase's sprint down the centre.

There was a sense of inevitability about Castleford's next try, when Liam Higgins scored his second of the season with a run from the centre after 62 minutes. This time, Kirk Dixon converted.

Dixon handled yet another score for the Tigers after holding onto a short kick towards the right flank with 15 minutes left.

With Brett Ferres touching down on the left flank on the final hooter, Castleford booked their place in the play-offs with some gusto.


McDermott reveals squad for Sunday's crucial match
Sat September 5, 2009
Source: www.quins.co.uk

Harlequins Rugby League head coach, Brian McDermott, has named his 19 man squad for this weekend's round 26 Super League match against Castleford Tigers, kickoff 3pm.

Harlequins last met Castleford in the opening game of the season when Quins came away with the two points after a closely fought match.

Now at the business end of the season, Harlequins need to complete the double over the Tigers to keep their playoff chances alive.

Speaking in Sunday's matchday programme, Harlequins captain Rob Purdham said:

"There's no getting around it; our whole season boils down to these last two games. However the squad remains confident. We've got ourselves into this situation over the last ten or eleven weeks by only winning one match, and we have to beat Castleford."

The 19 man squad in full:

Lamont Bryan
Tony Clubb
Luke Dorn
Ryan Esders
Matt Gafa
Luke Gale
Jason Golden
Gareth Haggerty
Daniel Heckenberg
Ben Kaye
Joe Mbu
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
Chris Melling
Danny Orr
Rob Purdham
Chad Randall
Will Sharp
Danny Ward
Luke Williamson

Tickets for Sunday's match are still available from only £15 adults, £5 under 16's.

Call the ticketline on 0871 527 1315 or visit www.quins.co.uk

Wed September 2, 2009
• Orr ready for action
  

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