Ex-referee says Super League clash was “awful standard”

Last night Castleford Tigers kick started their season with a first win of the campaign against rivals Leeds Rhinos.

It wasn’t a game that is going to be remembered as a classic but showed the grit and resurgence in the Tigers’ side.

They led 4-0 through a Bureta Faraimo try but he would later bomb a second chance right before Leeds would score a lovely try through Richie Myler.

After exchanging penalties, Leeds led 8-6 at the break but would be poor in the second half with Faraimo getting his second from a lovely scrum move.

That made it 12-8 and Gareth Widdop would later add a penalty.

It was a thrilling contest but former Super League official would describe the game as “awful” on Twitter: “Awful standard of game is this.”

That said, when someone described the performance of Aaron Moore as awful, Silverwood defended the referee: “Frantic and inexperienced however they need to gain experience somewhere. Over time he will be ok.”

Silverwood wasn’t in the mood to defend Leeds’ performance however:

“Leeds have been shocking tonight. Absolutely clueless in attack.”

The other big story last night was the impending departure of Kruise Leeming from Leeds and Silverwood had his say:

“I see Leeming is going which is a strange one. Smith mustn’t like running 9s. For me you need a mix of both. Strange move.”

I see Leeming is going which is a strange one. Smith mustn't like running 9s. For me you need a mix of both. Strange move.

— Richard Silverwood (@SilversRef) March 16, 2023