Castleford Tigers

“Embarrassed to be a Cas fan” – Castleford Tigers crash out of Challenge Cup

by
Sam Cook
April 15, 2024

Castleford Tigers shipped 12 tries and 60 points as they were dumped out of the Challenge Cup by Wigan Warriors in a defeat that fans have labelled ’embarrassing’.

It was always going to be an incredibly tough task to reach the semi-final stage when facing a Wigan Warriors side that was close to full strength and fresh off the back of a 40-12 victory.

However, the manner of the defeat for Castleford Tigers is another issue with Craig Lingard bluntly stating that there weren’t any positives to take from the defeat.

To make matters worse, Cas face Wigan on Friday in Super League with that fixture set to be played at the DW Stadium, a game that fans will be dreading the result of.

Wigan had almost everything their own way in the 12-try win with the only negative being the bad injury to Willie Isa, the Wigan forward being stretchered from the field in the first half.

As for a Castleford Tigers point of view, there are plenty of questions to be asked of the players, the coach and the ownership, and that’s what fans have been doing on social media.

Castleford Tigers accused of a lack of effort by fans

Credit: Imago Images

The Tigers entered the game with an injury list of 15 players meaning that they were without a number of starters, something that fans accepted, however, the nature of the defeat has been deemed inexcusable.

One fan surmised: “Whilst no one would have expected a win, there is no excuse for the distinct lack of effort and half arsed defence, only a handful of the lads care and have pride the others either don’t care happy to take brass or lack ability we don’t want you !!!”

Whilst no one would have expected a win, there is no excuse for the distinct lack of effort and half arsed defence, only a handful of the lads care and have pride the others either don’t care happy to take brass or lack ability we don’t want you !!!

— Jack Westmoreland (@SirJackWest) April 14, 2024

A lack of effort was echoed by another, stating: “Echo the stuff about lack of effort – no excuses for no passion or pride, stepping out of the way of a runner, not attempting to dive and tackle legs, not chasing back till your lungs bust, not having enough rugby brain to realise there’s a 20m gap in your defensive line etc”

Echo the stuff about lack of effort – no excuses for no passion or pride, stepping out of the way of a runner, not attempting to dive and tackle legs, not chasing back till your lungs bust, not having enough rugby brain to realise there’s a 20m gap in your defensive line etc 😡

— David Crosby (@DaveyC0511) April 14, 2024

“I can honestly say I am embarrassed to be a Cas fan today,” were the words of another fan, but there was an acceptance by another who was expecting the “long day at the office”.

I can honestly say I am embarrassed to be a cas fan today. Yes we have injuries and I didn’t expect to win today but what I did expect was a bit of fight and pride. There was none. #COYF @CTRLFC

— Lee Riding (@leeriding1) April 14, 2024

Posting on X, that user said: “Is anyone is remotely surprised by that score then I really do question why? Even if we were at full strength, Wigan would beat us handsomely. They’re the best team in the comp and we are way, way off that standard, so factoring in the dozen plus missing = long day at the office.”

If anyone is remotely surprised by that score then I really do question why? Even if we were at full strength, Wigan would beat us handsomely. They’re the best team in the comp and we are way, way off that standard, so factoring in the dozen plus missing = long day at the office.

— MDT (@TigerTowns88) April 14, 2024

Few were so forgiving though with one fan directly tagging the club in their impassioned post that called on the club’s owners to leave and stop “short changing the fans”.

“Diabolical @CTRFLC,” the post began.

“Fulton, Grattan, Pell – it’s time to go. Excuses don’t wash. You’ve assembled the worst squad in the SL era this season. Short changing the fans. You need to go and let people with ambition & vision run the club.”

Diabolical @CTRLFC.

Fulton, Grattan, Pell – it’s time to go.

Excuses don’t wash. You’ve assembled the worst squad in the SL era this season.

Short changing the fans. You need to go and let people with ambition & vision run the club.

— Mark F (@Pleyndamour) April 14, 2024

It looks set to be a difficult week for those at the club and potentially one that will worsen if there’s another similar result at the DW Stadium on Friday night.