Castleford Tigers end their pre-season in style with a 66-18 victory over Doncaster

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Castleford Tigers preparations ahead of the new Super League season ended in perfect style with a 66-18 victory over League One side Doncaster.

The Tigers got their pre-season fixture list underway last week when they travelled to North Yorkshire to face a York City Knights side who will be pushing for promotion in the Betfred Championship.

Lee Radford’s side came away 36-12 victors against the Knights and faced Doncaster on Sunday in their last pre-season game before they get their Super League season underway against Salford Red Devils on February 11th.

Like they did against York City Knights, Castleford started the afternoon on fire, scoring from their first attacking set.

Despite winger Bureta Faraimo spilling the ball from a Dons kick, the Tigers managed to get upfield with Mahe Fonua, who scored his first try for the club thanks to some fancy footwork.

Early game momentum stayed with Radford’s side as they put pressure on Doncaster down the right flank. Derrell Olpherts powered over from short range after a penalty was given for a strip of the ball. Danny Richardson’s successful conversion gave Castleford a 12-0 lead after eight minutes.

The Tigers continued to focus on the Dons’ right-hand side and it worked with Niall Evalds the recipient of a pinpoint pass with the full-back touching down underneath the posts.

Defensive frailties continued to haunt Doncaster as Cain Robb and Richardson both went over in the space of two minutes with the latter converting twice to give the Tigers a 30-point advantage after 25 minutes.

Ruthlessness was Castleford’s game as they continued to punish the hosts’ defence scoring a further 18 points with Olpherts grabbing his second whilst Alex Sutcliffe and Cheyse Blair both touched down as the Tigers went into the interval with a 48-0 lead.

Doncaster managed to get themselves onto the scoresheet within eight minutes of the second half starting with former Featherstone Rovers and Newcastle Thunder full-back Misi Taulapapa going over in spectacular fashion on the near touchline.

A brace from Sutcliffe extended his side’s lead after intercepting the ball on the halfway line and putting on the afterburners to touch down.

Castleford scored another breakaway try moments later as youngster Jason Qareqare ran the length of the field and increased the Tigers’ advantage even further.

Doncaster switched on for their next try, creating intensity in their sets with Zac Braham crashing over the line, however, George Collins provided Castleford with another try moments later before Jack Sadler converted his third goal of the afternoon.

The Dons hit back once again as Taulapapa turned provider shipping the ball to winger Tom Halliday who stepped inside to score. This proved to be the final try of a high-scoring affair for the Tigers who have put themselves in good stead ahead of the upcoming Super League season.

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