Moroney on quarter-final win

The Tigresses, like the men's side 24 hours earlier, secured a spot in the final four of the knockout competition.

Tilly Churm, Shona Hoyle, Georgie Hetherington, and a brilliant brace from Georgia Roche were the scorers as they continued their winning run this season.

Tigresses coach Kirsty Moroney spoke after Sunday’s clash and was delighted by the performance.

“It was great,” she said to castlefordtigers.com.

“The girls have gone through so much adversity this last week, so I am absolutely made up for them. I thought they gave a real good account of themselves out there. This last week has been tough so big credit to them all for their attitudes today and I am really pleased.”

After securing their passage to the next round, Cas’ semi-final opponents will be York City Knights Ladies. Five players made the move from Castleford to York last week and will add to what was already a big event.

Moroney claimed that she had a feeling that the pair would be drawn in the semis.

“It was written in the stars wasn’t it, I think it was always going to be the case.

“I looked at my phone at half-time and saw that it was close in their game, but I thought they would get through it.”

One of the Tigresses strong points this campaign has been their defence as they’ve kept the opposition below double figures in every fixture this term and coach Moroney was satisfied with another solid defensive display.

“To only conceded 12 points in two games is a testament to our defence. Obviously, it is part of mine and Maz’s [Marie Colley] job to pick up on anything that needs improving and I still think there is loads more in us.

“I think we are at about 50 percent and I think if we can get to the girls up to around 80 percent, especially with ball in hand it will be good.”

Jasmine Cudjoe was one of the players who returned from injury on the weekend, however, she unfortunately was unable to play as she pulled up in the warm up. However, Moroney was keen to commend the players who have stepped up and have performed admirably such as Georgie Hetherington.

“It’s what we have had to deal with since the start of the season which has meant that we can’t be consistent with the team and the bench.

“Credit to Georgie Hetherington for stepping in and played the 80 minutes at 9 and got rewarded with a try.”

Shona Hoyle was named as co-captain alongside Emma Lumley last week and the forward shone during the quarter-final, scoring a try in the process and getting praise from Moroney as one of her star players on the day, although, pointed out that a number of her women performed at a high level.

“I thought Shona Hoyle was absolutely outstanding, she led from the front and made 20 to 30 metres every time and never gave in. She asked to come off for a rest and I turned around and said no and she just sucked it up.

“Roche was good, her game management at the end was outstanding and it was good to see Lacey Owen back after her injury.

“There were pleasing signs all round!”