York-Castleford Match Summary

[Hightown Tiger]

York City Knights 16 Castleford Tigers 24

Attendance: 2,340

Highlights:
-In what was probably our worst performance of the season so far, to come away from York with the two points is pleasing. Not many teams will come away from York with the points.
-we are the only undefeated side in the competition!

Lowlights:
-The intensity justs didn't seem to be there. The players seemed to want to score off every set, and at times I don't think we matched them physically.
-Our discipline was poor. Shocking to be honest. It needs to be much improved on Friday, because Featherstone players will do their best to annoy the Castleford players.

BOOM of the match: Before he let himself down with a few late challenges, Adam Watene crunched a York player early on, in a perfectly fair tackle.

Referee Rating: Ben Thaler 5. As ever, people will disagree with me, but I felt BOTH sides were guilty of high tackles, constantly being offside etc. Thaler's main mistake was his failure to call over the captains and warn them early on. Perhaps in the 1st half, one or two players (from both teams) should have been given 10 minutes. Also, some Cas fans seem to think Waine Pryce's tries should have been given. They must have amazing eyesight, because the linesman stood a metre or two away didn't give either.

How many Cas Fans? 900-1,100

How noisy were the Cas Fans (title changed so our Featherstone cousins can understand!): Very noisy, competitng with the York 'choir' and exchanging banter. Great turnout as well.

Comedy Moment: I'll leave this one to you this week.

My MOTM: As players around him lost their heads (not literally of course!), Andrew Henderson showed just why he is the captain. Great defence (as ever), and a well taken try as well at a crucial point of the game.

In a nutshell: Today was our toughest test of the season. While it is pleasing to come back from 16-8 down to win, our first half display (and kicking in particular) was abysmal. We must improve for Fridays visit of our Friends from Featherstone. While there is nothing to play for (Cas are guranteed to finish top of their group) I'm sure both teams will want to win so the respective supporters have bragging rights over the coming weeks.

 

[bartman]

Good summary Hightown, I was at the game and agree with all comments.

That first half hit from Watene was a pearler. Pity his discipline cost him a red card with two minutes to go. #-o

I felt Cas were slowly building momentum and control as the game went on, but the turning point for me was when York failed to capitalise when Cas #6 was given ten minutes, and Cas scored when Jon Smith (York #8) was serving ten shortly after.

Best of luck against Fev...

 

[Hightown Tiger]

Without being big headed, I was always confident if we could keep within a try or two of York come half time we would win. Had York scored just scored before half time, things would have been very tricky indeed.

Towards the end our Castleford's fitness gave them an advantage, but York have improved 100% from the 52-2 defeat at The Jungle. On Sundays performance, you should gain promotion (at last!).

If your interested, I've posted a little review of the Huntington stadium. There's also a review of the South Leeds Stadium on there somewhere as well:

http://footballgroundguide.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=5383&view=getnewpost

 

[bartman]

Good ground review. I was impressed the Cas fans arrived early enough to take prime position on the half-way in the terrace and disaplce the York fans!

Agree with the parking/transport issues - they don't even advertise the free buses on game days within York very well, let alone so opposition fans can make use of them too.