Match Report: Castleford Tigers 23 – Wakefield 18.

Castleford Tigers survived a late scare from Wakefield Trinity to pick up a 23-18 win and record their 16th victory in a row against their local rivals.

Both sides headed into Saturday nights clash on the back of wins with the Tigers picking up wins against Leeds Rhinos and a historic win over St Helens.

Meanwhile, Trinity shocked Super League with a win over Warrington Wolves in the last round of fixtures.

However, Willie Poching’s side were left with yet another injury issue ahead of kick off with Joe Westerman pulling out of the squad due to picking up a calf strain.

Tries from Greg Eden, Derrell Oplherts and Oliver Holmes saw the side in black and amber come away with the two points on offer.

The opening ten minutes were one sided as the hosts put pressure on Wakefield’s defensive line and after forcing a goal line drop out thanks to Danny Richardson they took the lead.

Greg Eden kept his try scoring antics on track with a acrobatic finish in the corner to make it 4-0 with Richardson converting.

It got even better for the hosts as just two minutes later Oliver Holmes powered his way over after receiving an offload from Richardson.

Despite this early set back of conceding on back to back sets, Trinity didn’t hold back with Tinirau Arona powering his way over much to the dismay of the home fans in the Wheldon Road end.

As a derby game the affair certainly lived up to its reputation with halfbacks Lino and Richardson being sent to the bin for an off the ball incident.

Castleford kept on applying pressure to the Wakefield defence with quick hands enabling winger Derrell Olpherts to touch down on the far side to extend the hosts lead to 18-6 with seven minutes of the first half to go.

Richardson came back onto the field with five minutes to go and left his mark on the opening forty minutes with a drop goal close to the hooter.

It took just six minute for the hosts to start the second half in top gear when the ball was worked out wide to Danny Richardson who picked up yet another assist with Greg Eden finishing in the corner to make it 23-6.

Wakefield kept their cool despite a 17 point gap and kept applying pressure to the Tigers defence forcing errors and penalties.

Winger Tom Johnstone went over near the posts despite multiple Castleford men on top of him, Lino converted to make it 23-12.

Trinity were not done yet though with Lee Kershaw finding the try line with five minutes left of the game to silence the home supporters but send the away end into pandemonium.

However, the Tigers stayed strong to come away with the two points on offer and out do their local rivals once again on the pitch.

Castleford Tigers Lineup: Evalds, Olpherts, Mata’utia, Turner, Eden, O’Brien, Richardson, Griffin, McShae, Millington, Holmes, Sene-Lefao, Massey. INTERCHANGES: Watts, Blair, Hepi, Matagi.

Wakefield Trinity Lineup: Jowitt, Kershaw, Arundel, Senior, Johnstone, Miller, Lino, Fifita, Walker, Arona, Ashurst, Pitts, Tanginoa. INTERCHANGES: Kay, Battye, Batchelor, Green. 

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