Under new Head Coach Craig Lingard, Castleford Tigers began their preparations for the 2024 Super League season with a trip to Keighley Cougars.
The Cougars had already lost one pre-season game in comprehensive fashion against Betfred League One Rivals Oldham.
This game though saw the Cougars and Tigers celebrate the career of Jake Webster who starred for both clubs and Hull KR prior to retirement.
The Tigers gave debuts to the likes of former Leeds Rhinos star Luke Hooley, Josh Simm, Josh Hodson, Innes Senior, Rowan Milnes and Nixon Putt in a 20 man line up.
One of those debutants got things under way in the shape of former St Helens and Hull FC star Josh Simm who scored off great hands and a last pass from Josh Hodson after four minutes.
It was a point per minute with Charbel Tasipale crashing over from a penalty after eight minutes with Luke Hooley converting to make it 10-0 before 10 minutes had passed.
The try scoring dried up before the break with only Innes Senior scoring becoming the second debutant to cross as the Tigers led 14-0 at the interval.
The Tigers then scored three tries in quick succession. Hodson added a debutant try for himself leaping the highest to score the opening try of the second half before Jacob Miller crossed for the second try of the half and the Tigers had a 32-0 lead when Liam Horne dummied over.
Luke Hooley converted all three tries and too his tally to five from seven when another new signing crossed. This time it was former Warrington Wolves and Hull KR backrow Luis Johnson scoring from a lovely flick pass on his return to the club having been in their academy and played on loan at the club last year before being recalled by Hull KR.
Hodson and Senior each grabbed a second try either side of a try for Jason Qareqare on a new perfect first outing for Craig Lingard’s men. The only blotch was the loss of Alex Mellor to injury.
It wasn’t the ideal send off for Jake Webster who was denied a late try by some great Castleford defence as they held on for a 54-0 win.
