Emotional end to season as Castleford Tigers’ play-off hopes are ended by impressive Warrington Wolves

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Castleford Tigers fell to a 40-24 defeat as their hopes of making the play-offs ended at the hands of the Warrington Wolves in a true game of two halves.

Tigers’ Head Coach, Daryl Powell was hoping for a dream end to his life at the club but a dominant first half display by his future side left a sour taste.

A brace of tries from both Matty Ashton and Jake Mamo saw the Wolves run riot in the opening 40 minutes.

However, a sin-bin for Josh Charnley changed the flow of the encounter in the second half with Peter Mata’utia picking up a brace of his own in his final game for Castleford.

Thursday night’s game saw an emotional crowd pack into Wheldon Road as they gave their farewells to Michael Shenton, Oliver Holmes, Mata’utia, Grant Millington, Alex Foster, Jesse Sene-Lefao and Head Coach Daryl Powell.

It was Warrington who came out all guns blazing with momentum scoring from back to back sets in the eighth and 10th minute through Ashton crossing first after an attacking play set up by half-back Gareth Widdop.

The second try came from Mamo who supported a run through the middle by Chris Hill to score under the sticks to make it 10-0 in Warrington’s favour.

Errors continued to play a key part in the game as the Tigers’ downfall in the first half continued. A kick from Widdop was misjudged by Castleford full-back Niall Evalds who was outpaced by Ashton who touched down for his second try of the night.

Controlling the game on both sides of the ball, Warrington continued their first half rampage when a loose carry was picked up by Mamo. He ran 70 metres upfield to score in the corner to make it 24-0 to the visitors.

Warrington started the second half like they did the first with Ashton getting on the scoreboard after a breakthrough the middle by Robbie Mulhern.

The Tigers did show signs of life when Mata’utia scored back to back tries on the near side to reduce the deficit.

Charnley was sin-binned for a spear tackle, an event which changed the course of the game with Tigers winger Jordan Turner scoring in the corner soon after as Wheldon Road suddenly burst into life after being silent most of the game.

Castleford looked to have continued their momentum when long-serving Australian, Grant Millington, caught a spilt kick to touch down and bring his side within touching distance of the Wolves.

Warrington were down yet another man when Mike Cooper was sent off for a shoulder charge as the Tigers looked to capitalise.

Despite their best efforts, Castleford ultimately came up short with Connor Wrench sealing the game for the Wolves with two minutes of the match left as he outwitted the Tigers’ backline.

It wasn’t the ending to the season that both Daryl Powell and Castleford were hoping for but the fans gave the players leaving a send-off they were proud of. 

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