Tigers crowned College Champions

Castleford Tigers College produced an unforgettable second-half display to defeat Warrington Wolves Development Academy and be crowned as 2023 College Champions at The Jungle!

It was the Tigers who came out firing as it took them just over a minute to take the lead! Some lovely hands from Cas to the left allowed Mitch Lawson the chance to dive in at the corner. Alfie Dean’s conversion agonisingly came back off the post.

Warrington were gifted good field possession after receiving a penalty inside their half, but the Cas defence stamped their authority early on. Five minutes in it looked like they had the opportunity to notch a second, but Alfie Wall found Fletcher Rooney’s pass too hot to handle on the right.

Cas kept the pressure high as they continued to keep Warrington defending their line. A big hit from Dean gave the Tigers the ball but the Wolves managed to retrieve the ball from a low Alfie Horwell kick which looked like it would force a drop out.

Moments later the Tigers were on the front foot once again but couldn’t capitalise after running on the last. A quick play to the right ended up in the hands of Wall but the centre’s attempted offload to Dan Sabrah spun out of play.

After not being able to make the most of their chances, the Fords found themselves having to defend and conceded 15 minutes in. It was Dylan Braddish who touched down in the corner to draw level as Ashurst’s kick also came off the upright.

The momentum of the game had suddenly switched as halfway through the first 40 the visitors took the lead. Nathan Burton produced an acrobatic finish and managed to ground the ball despite the best efforts of Sabrah near the corner post.

A high shot from Sam Darley put Castleford on the back foot and Wire were clinical once again. Adam Whalley made a dart through the heart of the Tigers’ defence and held off a challenge to dot down under pressure. Ashurst made no mistake on this occasion to give his side a 10-point lead.

The home side tried their utmost to respond and almost did just that when Woody Walker was stopped just short. Cas elected to run it on the last, but Dean was held up out wide.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, Warrington added another score on the half-hour mark with Braddish going the full length despite challenges from a number of Cas defenders and Ashurst slotted the conversion from in front of the sticks.

Whalley secured his brace shortly after with the hooker making another scoot to dive over in between the posts. Ashurst added the two to take Wire’s advantage to 26-4.

The Fords weren’t going to lie down however, as an error from kick off by Warrington provided them a golden opportunity to attack. Cas went right and Wall timed his pass to Sabrah perfectly for the winger to skid over by the corner. Dean then pulled his kick wide.

Cas had the wind in their sails and went back-to-back just before the interval. Hall found Lawson out wide for the winger to smuggle the ball over for his second of the afternoon. Dean met his kick perfectly from the touchline for the scoreboard to read 26-14 to the Wolves as the teams headed into the sheds.

The opening five minutes of the second half was an arm wrestle but it was the hosts who were presented the first attacking opening of the second 40. A bulldozing run by second rower Dean set the Tigers up 10 metres out but unfortunately, Castleford were penalised from the resulting play for crossing.

After Wire went close through Ashurst, they were penalised and a booming Mallinson kick up field brought the Tigers forward. Maule hit Leo Skerrett-Evans with a short ball and the Cas man ran in to close the gap. Dean converted to bring Cas within six points of the lead.

The hosts were on a role and made it three unanswered scores 15 minutes into the second half! Maule was unstoppable as he took it on himself to take the ball, put his head down, and slam the ball down. Dean made the kick from in front to draw Cas level.

Cas’ onslaught was too much for Warrington to handle and after a brilliant run through the middle from Walker, they took the lead. The play was shifted to Dean who bounced off a defender and held off a number of Wolves men to put the ball down. The second row sliced his conversion wide.

The Tigers were immediately under pressure due to a knock-on from the Wire kick off but a brilliant defensive effort from the hosts kept them at bay. They went one better and went up the other end to extend their advantage. Hawkhead placed a kick in behind and it was that man Dean again who grounded. Unfortunately, he couldn’t convert with the wind causing problems for the kickers.

Castleford’s attack were on a roll and it was Sabrah who got his second of the afternoon with a fantastic acrobatic finish in the corner. Dean sliced wide from the tee but the Fords were soon back in Wire territory.

After some lovely play on Cas’ left edge and Rooney threw a dummy which deceived the Warrington defence and the full-back put his foot down to ground one-handed. Dean composed himself and did brilliantly to put his conversion through the sticks.

The visitors got their first score of the second half with five minutes to go as Braddish was found in space out on the left but Ashurst couldn’t convert.

The final whistle blew to scenes of jubilation as the Castleford Tigers College players’ incredible efforts were rewarded as they were crowned 2023 College Champions.

If you would be interested in finding out more about what the Tigers College has to offer, visit http://ctrlfc.com/college 

The Club would like to thank everyone who kindly donated to the Tigers Foundation on entry to the match!

Full-time: Castleford Tigers 44–30 Warrington Wolves

Castleford: Rooney, Sabrah, Wall, Hall, Lawson, Mallinson, Horwell, Maule, Benson, Walker, Darley, Dean, Millington

Interchanges: Skerrett-Evans, Hawkhead, Egley, Dibb, Kamgang, Moxon

Tries: Lawson x2, Sabrah x2, Skerrett-Evans, Maule, Dean x2, Rooney

Goals: Dean (3/8)

Warrington: Taylor-Wray, Burton, Braddish, Ashurst, Owens, Ashton, Sergent, Doherty, Whalley, McKinney, Bowman, Antrobus, Standish

Interchanges: Myers-Davies, Graham, Fenney, Dainton, Conroy, Hayes

Tries: Braddish x2, Burton, Whalley x2, Ashurst

Goals: Ashurst (3/6)