Super League

Wakefield Trinity 12-28 Castleford Tigers. Highlights, talking points and player ratings

by
Louis Chapman-Coombe
August 18, 2023

Castleford Tigers pile the pressure on Wakefield Trinity as they record a famous 28-12 win at Belle Vue.

The Fords win puts some daylight between themselves and their bitter local rivals, as they now move two points clear with five games to go.

A hat-trick from Greg Eden, alongside other tries from Alex Foster and Charbel Tasipale steered the Fords to a famous win, which gives them an advantage in the relegation scrap.

Highlights:

Castleford strike first

Wakefield started brightly, and looked like drawing first blood in the game; however Jordan Turner thought otherwise and drags Josh Griffin into touch. From the following set the Fords break down the field, and Miller’s pinpoint cross-field kick is swatted into Tasipale’s hands for the first of the night.

Josh Griffin try ruled out

On his second debut for the Trin, Josh Griffin thought he had scored his side’s first try; however it was ruled out by the video referee due to Matty Ashurst’s involvement.

Jowitt gets Wakefield back into it

A sweeping move through the Wakefield backline found the ball in Max Jowitt’s hands, and the full back broke through a gap in the Castleford defence to pull his side back within two points.

Griffin finally gets his try

If at first you don’t succeed, try again; and Josh Griffin did exactly this as he crashed over from short range to give his side the lead. A delayed pass from Mason Lino created a hole for the former Hull FC man, and there’s no stopping him out from that range.

Greg Eden restores the Fords lead

A monstrous kick from Blake Austin caused havoc for Tom Lineham, who knocks on. This scrum gives the Fords the perfect chance to score, and later on in the set they work it back on the left edge and Greg Eden reaches out to put his side back in front.

Eden gets his brace

In the dying embers of the first half, Greg Eden gets his second. A knock-on from Griffin again puts the Tigers in great field position, and a strike move gets the ball through the hands and Eden scampers over in the corner.

Foster grows the Castleford lead

Elliot Wallis turns defence into attack in the blink of an eye as he breaks from deep in his own half. He then connects beautifully with Tasipale to continue the break, but they couldn’t score directly from the break; however it didn’t take them long as a strike move from the ruck allowed Alex Foster to reap the rewards of Wallis’s break, and following Widdop’s successful conversion, the visitors led by 14 points.

Griffin at the double

Wakefield would respond well to the Foster try. They would work it down close to the line, but a late hit from Tasipale gave them another set in Cas territory, and they would make this chance count as Josh Griffin crossed out wide for his second try of the night.

Crucial Wakefield try chalked off

A crucial opportunity goes amiss for the home side, as a forward pass denies Tom Lineham a certain try. That would have pulled Wakefield back within six points. Could it come back to haunt them?

Tigers take the two

Castleford would rub salt into the wound left from the missed chance, as Gareth Widdop slotted a penalty goal following a late hit on Jacob Miller. The Fords now led by 12 points with only 15 minutes left in the game.

Tom Lineham nearly sneaks a try

A cross-field kick from Mason Lino isn’t dealt with by the Castleford defence, and Tom Lineham comes within inches of scoring an opportunist try; but he grounds the ball on the dead ball line. It would have taken something special for him to score it, but it’s great instincts from the winger.

Greg Eden puts the final nail in the coffin

In the dying ember of the game, Greg Eden secures his hat-trick as he rounds off a famous victory for the Tigers.

Talking points:

Was it a try?

Josh Griffin thought he had scored Wakefield’s first try; however it was controversially ruled out as the TMO ruled Matty Ashurst to be in an offside position.

Cas lead by eight at the break

A quick double from Greg Eden, as well as a successful conversion from Gareth Widdop, gave the Fords an eight point lead at the break. Could it be too much for the Trin to pull back?

Crucial errors come back to haunt Wakefield

Wakefield were their own worst enemy at times in this game. They made errors at crucial moments, which cost them opportunities to score and ultimately the game.

Cas pick up key injuries

Whilst Castleford secured an important result, the Tigers picked up injuries to key players Nathan Massey, who picked up a knee injury, and Jack Broadbent, who withdrew due to a broken collarbone.

Pressure piles on Wakefield Trinity

This result leaves Wakefield a very difficult path to Super League safety. They now sit two points behind Castleford at the foot of the table, and with a difficult run in, it could be a tough few weeks for the Belle Vue faithful.

Danny Ward gets his revenge

New Head Coach Danny Ward has been relegated twice at Belle Vue, however his coaching career in Castleford colours got off to the best possible start as he guides his side to victory in his first game.

Player Ratings:

Wakefield Trinity

Max Jowitt-7

Inness Senior-6

Josh Griffin-7

Reece Lyne-6

Tom Lineham-6

Mason Lino-7

Luke Gale-6

Josh Bowden-6

Liam Hood-6

Jai Whitbread-6