Tigers' Matterson proud in defeat

Matterson has been in charge of Castleford since 2005

Head coach Terry Matterson has labelled Castleford Tigers' performance in their Challenge Cup defeat by Huddersfield Giants as one of his proudest.

The Tigers led 14-6 at one point, but a Giants comeback and a late Danny Kirmond try sent Huddersfield into the semi-finals.

"I couldn't be any prouder," Matterson told BBC Radio Leeds.

"It slipped through our fingers, but the players were magnificent and couldn't have worked any harder."

Castleford dominated the early stages of the quarter-final at the Galpharm Stadium, but only came away with one try.

"We didn't take our opportunities. We made a good few breaks, but didn't finish them, but I guess the opposition could say the same. We are just not getting the 50-50s at the moment and that was true in this game," Matterson added.

"We did everything we could to win the game, but maybe were just not smart enough.

"We are massively disappointed to lose in the way we did. The guys played for each other, defensively we were very strong and they did everything well as a unit.

"We really have a vey good rugby league team here now, we just need to learn how to win.

"I'm gutted for the players and the fans. But no one can say we didn't try our hardest."