Castleford (14) 35
Tries: Dixon, Sargent, Wainwright, Owen, Shenton 2, Huby Goals: Westerman, Dixon 2 Drop goal: Sherwin
Celtic Crusaders (16) 22
Tries: White, Withers 2, O'Hara Goals: Tyrer 3

Castleford were made to fight all the way before getting the better of bottom side Celtic Crusaders to finish the Super League season in seventh place.

The Tigers struggled at times against the Crusaders, who had coach John Dixon in charge for the last time.

The sides were tied at 22-22 midway through the second half.

But Michael Shenton then scored his second try of the game and Brent Sherwin's drop goal eased the pressure before Craig Huby's late try.

It means Castleford will visit sixth-placed Wigan in the first round of the play-offs next weekend.

A close first period saw Lloyd White and Lincoln Withers (2) cross for the Crusaders, while Kirk Dixon, Mitchell Sargent and Michael Wainwright all went over for Castleford.

But Joe Westerman only managed one conversion to hand the visitors a 16-14 lead and they stretched their lead when Ryan O'Hara added a converted try just after the break.

Shenton, who had earlier been sin-binned, sparked the revival with his double before Huby's late effort but the Tigers will need an improvement in the play-offs.

Castleford coach Terry Matterson:

"It was a tough one for us. The opposition made it difficult for us but at the end of the day we won the game and that's gone.

"People were expecting us to win by 40 or 50 but that's difficult. What we have done is come through injury-free. We've got just one or two injuries within the squad at this stage.

"I would have preferred a good performance but as I said there are difficulties in preparing for these games."

Celtic Crusaders coach John Dixon:

"It was another typical performance in terms of effort and our effort has been great all year.

"To be in that contest as long as we were with the young men on the park was very pleasing.

"To see them come out and play and compete with a side who are in the top eight is a big reward for me."

Castleford: McGoldrick, Dixon, Shenton, Evans, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Jones, Higgins, Ferres, Clayton, Westerman.
Replacements: Owen, Huby, Feather, Netherton.

Celtic Crusaders: Kear, Bateman, Blackwood, Tyrer, Lennon, Withers, Smith, O'Hara, Budworth, Bryant, J. James, Chan, White.
Replacements: Flower, Tangata-Toa, Mills, Davies.

Referee: J Child (RFL)

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version