League form the focus for Derrell Olpherts after Castleford reached the Challenge Cup Final

Derrell Olpherts was speechless at full time in the Challenge Cup semi-final but insists Wembley will be put to one side with the main focus on improving their league form.

Castleford started the 2021 season in fine form, winning their opening three league games, before suffering their first defeat of the season at the hands of the Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium. In recent weeks, the Tigers have struggled with three consecutive losses, which includes two defeats to Hull Kingston Rovers and Leeds Rhinos at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle, a stadium that has been a fortress for Daryl Powell’s side in recent years.

A 60-6 home defeat last time out against the Rhinos showed a sign of the inconsistency Castleford has suffered in recent weeks. Coming off the back of a big win in the Cup semi-final, Derrell Olpherts believes the team will put Wembley in the background and look to carry the cup performance into improving their league form.

“I can’t put my emotions at the final whistle into words I was speechless. I am absolutely over the moon to be going to Wembley with the chance of winning the Challenge Cup”.

“The first half performance I thought we were faultless; everything went to plan for us. Everything we set out to do we executed. The first half was class from us. At half time we knew they were going to respond; we didn’t expect the two tries to come so quickly but we came out of that period under pressure well”.

The 29-year-old admitted the win against the Wolves was the team’s best performance of the season, and that is now the benchmark for the remainder of the season.

“We need to take that display into our league form, as we have now lost our last three league games. We need to get back to winning ways in the league and get some consistency behind us.”

The Tigers have reached their first Challenge Cup final since 2014, but with a trip to Wembley five weeks away, the winger believes the team have to put the Cup final to the back of their minds.

“It is going to be at the back of peoples minds as it is coming up, but we have other games and other teams to beat, so we have to take it week by week and focus on the next game”.

Securing the highest finish possible is now the main aim for Daryl Powell’s side with a second trip to Old Trafford in four years the goal.

“We want to compete in both competitions, we have got to the Cup final and now we want to get to the Grand Final. That starts with getting some consistency in the league”.

Home form is going to be a major factor in how far the Tigers can go this season. Since the long-awaited return of fans, they have been unable to come away with the victory in the two games so far.

“We haven’t won at home yet, so it will be good to get a home win for our fans, as they come out in a big force, and are loud and passionate so it will be good to get a win against Hull FC tomorrow night for them”.

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