Tigers defeated in home opener

A tough afternoon for the Tigers who lose their home opener 24-6 against St Helens at the Jungle. 

The Tigers were first on the offensive. The ball through hands found Jake Mamo on the left wing with space and pace to burn. He looked to play the ball inside to Evalds, in what would have been a certain early try, but the pass was spilled by Tigers’ full back Evalds 10 metres out. 

Castleford came again with another chance. A fantastic kick from Jacob Miller found touch to gift the Tigers a 40/20. The last tackle came around and after a kick from Widdop was collected by Broadbent, and an offload to Mellor the Fords’ vice captain was held up just short. 

With their first attack of the game, Saints thought they had scored. They passed left to right and found Ritson in the corner, but a marvellous tackle from Mamo put the winger into touch and after consultation from the Video referee, the try was denied. 

The Tigers seemed to be finding the left side their best channel to attack. Another break from Mamo but he didn’t have inside support and when trying to find it, Saints recovered possession. From the attack that followed, Saints kick on the last was spilled by Evalds gifting the visitors a chance inside 10 metres. That was until a big hit from Broadbent dislodged the ball from Lomax’s grasp and the Tigers alleviated the pressure. 

Mamo broke through once again on 22 minutes, this time through the middle of the field. He looked to his right with Broadbent in support but opted to go alone. The retreating Saints defenders forced a knock on and looked to go on the attack. 

It was this attack that the deadlock was broken. Saints broke through the line and got themselves within range. A quick play the ball from Lussick found Lomax, who found Welsby to crash through under the posts. 

The Tigers stood firm duringa. Difficult passage of play 10 minutes from half time. A couple of six again calls had Saints knocking at the door. Mcarthy-Scarsbrook lost the ball at the play the ball and the Tigers regained possession. From that, Saints were penalised for interference at the scrum. Widdop kicked for touch but didn’t make the line gifting Saints another chance. But the Fords defence held out and didn’t concede despite the barrage of attacks. 

A tight affair in the first half with just the one try, and at the break, Saints led, 6-0. 

The Visitors opened the scoring in the second half. An offload off the floor found Lomax who danced through the Cas defence. He was supported by Ritson on his outside and found the winger easily to go in under the posts.  

Cas were back in it! Broadbent looked to score down the left side. Saints man Welsby went very high on the Cas man and the Tigers were awarded a penalty try, which Widdop converted from in front of the posts. 

The ball was down at the Wheldon Road end for some time with the hosts on the offensive. A break from Evalds who look set to beat Welsby but was caught 10 metres out. A kick through from George Griffin was caught in goal and Saints were off the hook. 

The visitors went further in front 15 minutes from time. A neat kick in behind from Welsby, was scooped up by Walmsley who dotted down to the right of the posts. 

Castleford went close. Broadbent broke down the left again and saw Welsby in front of him. His attempted pass to the left aimed at Turner was spilled. Saints countered and brought their tally up to 22 points with kick to come. A short ball to Walmsley is met with a bit of speed and he bulldozed his way over to score. 

Bureta Faraimo thought he’d scored a consolation try for Cas. He intercepted a pass 20 metres from his own line and went the length of the field to ground. Video referee Chris Kendall judged the Tigers wingers' elbow to have hit the line before grounding. 

Full Time score: Castleford Tigers 6-24 St Helens 

Teams:  

Castleford Tigers: Evalds, Mamo, Turner, Broadbent, Faraimo, Widdop, Miller, Griffin, McShane, Vete, Edwards, Mellor, Lawler 

Interchanges: Milner, Mustapha, Robb, Watts 

18th Man: Eden 

St Helens: Welsby, Ritson, Hurrell, Percival, Bennison, Lomax, Dodd, Walmsley, Lussick, Lees, Mata’utia, Bell, Knowles 

Interchanges: Mcarthy-Scarsbrook, Wingfield, Norman, Royle 

18th man: Davies 

Scorers: 

Castleford Tigers: 

Tries: Penalty Try 

Goals: Widdop 1/1 

St Helens: 

Tries: Welsby, Ritson, Walmsley 2 

Goals: Percival 3/3, Lomax 1/1 

Golden Gamble: 17899 

Attendance: 10,042