Castleford’s title credentials look as strong as ever. The Tigers have made fairly light work of the opposition during the opening month but here, in a game where they were overwhelming favourites, complacency was perhaps their biggest test they faced – and how they answered any questions.
Slowly, Daryl Powell’s men are redefining perceptions of how rugby league should be played. There were glimpses last year without a doubt but in 2017, the attacking panache with which Castleford play is a marketing dream for the Rugby Football League, who are intent on showcasing the skill levels in Super League as they try to preach the sport beyond the converted.
But even though their attack is unstoppable on occasions – as Widnes became the latest side to find out first-hand here – it is their defensive efforts that show just how far Castleford have come this season. Here, they were put under intense early pressure by Denis Betts’s side but stood firm, laying the foundations for another fully deserved victory.
“Defensively it was really impressive,” Powell said. “The efforts in the second half defensively in particular were outstanding and that’s the most pleasing thing. It’s great to see the boys enjoy what they’re doing – there were some world-class pieces of skill but collectively, we weren’t at our best in attack.”
Powell’s demand for more from his team despite another comprehensive victory is perhaps nothing less than expected from a coach who is notorious for bringing the best out of his players. It is hard to avoid to casting an eye down the line already; if both Castleford and Wigan remain Super League’s two unbeaten sides up until their clash at the DW Stadium on 6 April, it has all the makings of a very special occasion indeed.
Had Widnes converted any of their early pressure into points, the outcome might have different – or perhaps not. Betts’s men remain without a win this season and unfortunately for them, the buzz surrounding the town when they were the surprise package at the top last season has quickly faded.
Without their captain of recent years, Kevin Brown, since his move to Warrington, the pre-season belief that Widnes would struggle looks like it is being realised. They have the second-worst attack in the competition and just a solitary point to their name and this was perhaps the most chastening afternoon for them yet.
“You find it hard not to clap some of the things Castleford were doing,” Betts said. “There was some fantastic play and we were beaten by a good side but I wanted to see some desire at half-time and it didn’t come. I’ve not seen that before in this group.”
Castleford were surprisingly out-of-sorts with ball in hand in the opening quarter but in defence they were superb. Powell’s bench then began to have a telling impact in turning the tide in their favour and soon they had roared into a commanding 22-0 lead.
Junior Moors was chief tormentor from the interchange bench and he had a telling role in the first try when he broke downfield before the outstanding Mike McMeeken sent Greg Minikin over. Minikin’s second followed eight minutes later after another Moors-inspired break, with McMeeken again claiming the assist.
Two more tries in three minutes – this time from Michael Shenton and Greg Eden – then put the Tigers in control and at times it felt as if everyone was watching with bated breath to see what Castleford’s sheer unpredictability in attack would produce next.
As the rain powered in after half-time, conditions became noticeably more difficult but the PA announcer’s message of hope to Widnes fans as the teams were coming out for the second half that “it’s a game of two halves” did not filter through to the home players. Castleford killed the contest within the opening 15 minutes after Matt Cook charged over from close range, before yet more outstanding play from Shenton put the winger Eden in for his second with an audacious flick-pass.
“Those flicks don’t happen by accident,” Powell said. “It’s something we work on quite a bit – they don’t just happen, you have to work on them.”
Twelve months ago it was Widnes creating headlines at the top of Super League before eventually falling away from an unlikely title challenge but on this form, the odds of Castleford lasting the distance should be much shorter.
Widnes Hanbury; Thompson, Armstrong, Runciman, Marsh; Bridge, Craven; Chapelhow, White, Buchanan, Houston, Whitley, Cahill. Interchange Heremaia, Leuluai, Olbison, Burke.
Castleford Hardaker; Monaghan, Minikin, Shenton, Eden; McShane, Gale; Lynch, Milner, Springer, Sene-Lefao, McMeeken, Massey. Interchange Moors, Millington, Cook, Roberts.
Tries Minikin 2, Shenton, Eden 2, Cook. Goals Gale 5.
Referee J Smith. Attendance 6,396.
