Shenton ahead of Cup semi-final
Tigers captain Michael Shenton knows just how important the Challenge Cup competition is to Castleford as a town.
Even more so this year with Head Coach Daryl Powell leaving the Fords at the end of the season, so Shenton wants to close this era out on a high note.
“We’ve been together a long time a lot of us in the team and we’ve spoken about this year having a real good crack at the Challenge Cup.
“Everyone is really excited about it.”
It was back in 2014 when Classy Cas last graced the hallowed turf of Wembley and Shenton believes that already this season his side has shown tremendous spirit in their efforts to get to the final four, with the hope of getting back to the national stadium.
“Ever since then we haven’t managed to get past the early rounds but this time we have. It took us a couple of golden points to get there, but it’s taken some real character and has shown the belief and quality within this team to do it in the real important games.
“Sometimes you’re not playing your best, or the other team has a bit of an edge on you but it’s an 80-minute game which you have to play in full and we’ve shown we’re capable of doing that.
“I think there is some real belief going into the game. We’re aiming for a strong team out there, in a neutral venue, with an aim of getting the job done for Cas.”
The Tigers & the Wolves faced off in a pre-cursor to this final four fixture a fortnight ago, and Michael insists with players coming back into contention it will be a competitive squad up for selection.
“Our form has been a little sketchy leading into the semi, but we knew on the horizon that we have some good players coming back into this team and we’ll start having some real competition for places within it.
“The last few weeks have been about building towards this semi-final and everyone is really excited about it.”
When asked what it would mean to him to lead his side out at Wembley once more, a proud Cas captain said: “It would be a bit of redemption, I don’t think we did ourselves justice against Leeds in 2014, I thought it showed they had more big game experience.
“It would be great to get back to Wembley and give it a big effort."