Castleford 52-16 Leigh: Player ratings and three major talking points

Castleford thrashed Leigh 52-16, but just how did the players rate and what were the three major talking points?

Three major talking points:

1. Leigh just don’t look good enough

The Centurions were given the extra spot in Super League and most of the rugby league fraternity believed they would be the team that would be relegated. On this performance, it certainly seems that way. Leigh were utterly destroyed by a confident Castleford outfit who posted 34 points in the first-half alone.

2. Castleford have a great shot of winning something

They may have been playing one of the lower sides in the competition, but Castleford outlined their silverware-hunting credentials with a confident and competent performance. The scoreline really sent a message to the rest of the competition that the Tigers are ready and raring to go in 2021.

3. Jordan Turner has a new lease of life

The utility man is currently on-loan at Castleford after being shown the door at Huddersfield, but, Turner looks to have been a brilliant find by Daryl Powell. He was drafted into the halves following Gareth O’Brien’s injury and worked tirelessly to get his side on the front foot, crossing for a well-taken try in the process.

Castleford Tigers
1. Niall Evalds – 8
2. Derrell Olpherts – 9
3. Peter Mata‘utia –  8
4. Michael Shenton – 7
23. Greg Eden – 7
6. Jake Trueman – 8
31. Gareth O‘Brien – 6
8. Liam Watts – 7
9. Paul McShane – 9
22. Daniel Smith – 7
11. Oliver Holmes – 7
21. Jesse Sene-Lefao – 7
14. Nathan Massey – 6
Substitutes
10. Grant Millington – 7
13. Adam Milner – 7
25. Jordan Turner – 9
26. Lewis Bienek – 7

Leigh Centurions
1. Ryan Brierley – 6
2. Matty Russell – 7
31. Josh Simm – 4
22. Craig Mullen – 5
5. Lewis Tierney – 5
30. Ben Reynolds – 7
7. Joe Mellor – 5
11. Ben Hellewell – 6
9. Liam Hood – 6
12. Jordan Thompson – 6
20. Adam Sidlow – 5
16. Nathaniel Peteru – 6
21. Tyrone McCarthy – 5
Substitutes
8. Ben Flower – 7
13. James Bell – 6
15. Alex Gerrard – 5
26. Nathan Peats – 6