Castleford too strong for Wildcats in derby

Castleford Tigers ran in seven tries to one as they enjoyed a comprehensive 40-6 win over local rivals Wakefield Wildcats in their opening home game of the 2016 Super League season.
Adam Milner, who went over for a try for Castleford against Wakefield.Adam Milner, who went over for a try for Castleford against Wakefield.
Adam Milner, who went over for a try for Castleford against Wakefield.

Flying winger Denny Solomona, who scored four tries against the Wildcats in the recent warm-up game at the same ground, raced in for two tries to lead the way along with Oliver Holmes, who took the sponsors’ man of the match accolade after his two-try display.

Others to shine were full-back Luke Dorn, strong running forward Junior Moors and hooker Adam Milner while Luke Gale landed six kicks from seven attempts, most of which were from wide out.

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For the Wildcats it was a tough day as they struggled for good field position, although they defended their line well at times to avoid an even bigger hammering.

Wakefield made the brighter start and scored first, but it became hard work for them after the first 10 minutes.

The Wildcats gave the hosts an early warning of their capabilities when a Liam Finn high kick was spilled by Denny Solomona and Danny Kirmond was only inches away from grounding a loose ball over the Tigers line.

They did score on six minutes as they controversially given an extra set after a Cas played was deemed to have played at a Jacob Miller kick. A penalty followed and the pressure told as Stuart Howarth dived over from acting half.

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Finn’s goal made it 6-0 and when the restart went out on the full it looked like it was going to be the Wildcats’ day. But they could not take advantage of further good field position and the Tigers hit back.

Only good defence by Reece Lyne prevented Solomona from getting to a Luke Gale grubber over the line before two minutes later Solomona did score, diving over in the corner after taking Luke Dorn’s pass. An excellent touchline conversion by Gale levelled the scores.

A superb handling move started by Mike McMeeken’s offload on half-way almost brought another home try, but Dorn’s pass inside to Gale was intercepted by Lyne five metres from his own line.

Wakefield defended well as they came under increasing pressure, Bill Tupou doing well to take a Ben Roberts’ chip over the top.

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But on 25 minutes Cas went ahead when Roberts danced his way over from 10 metres out. Gale’s goal made it 12-6.

A Roberts high kick forced a drop-out as the Tigers exerted further pressure and Cas had a “try” ruled out for a marginal forward pass decision against Adam Milner as he found McMeeken.

Another forward pass, this time given against Roberts saw another dangerous move ended as he tried to find winger Joel Monaghan with a long ball.

But the Tigers did make it 18-6 as Dorn took Gale’s pass at speed and after a little dummy sliced through the Wildcats defence. Gale’s goal completed the scoring for the first half.

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Any hopes the Wildcats had of a comeback in the second half were effectively shattered within a minute when the home team went over for their fourth try.

The outstanding Dorn made another piecing run into the line from full-back and Oliver Holmes backed up perfectly to charge over for a try to celebrate the new contract he signed this week.

Gale’s goal made it 24-6 and Wakefield were left with a mountain to climb.

They did manage one fine set that took them to within five metres of the home line, but it summed up their afternoon as it ended in a mistake on the sixth tackle when Michael Sio knocked-on.

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Within four minutes Cas were back down the other end where Junior Moors stood up against four potential tacklers and moved the ball onto Milner, who then shrugged off another Wakefield player before charging over for a try that was goaled by Gale.

Solomona collected his second try on 58 minutes with a spectacular dive to get the ball down over the line in the tightest of spaces and another touchline goal by Gale rubbed further salt into the Wildcats wound.

Eight minutes later Holmes also scored his second of the day, slicing through after another quality left edge move and a final pass by Dorn.

Gale missed his first kick of the day, but it did not matter as his team were now 40-6 ahead.

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With the game over as a contest the final 15 minutes were scrappy and there were no further scores after what had proved a one-sided derby game.

Scorers - Castleford: Tries Solomona 2, Roberts, Dorn, Holmes 2, Milner; goals Gale 6. Wakefield: Tries Howarth; goals Finn.

Castleford Tigers: Dorn: Monaghan, Crooks, Webster, Solomona; Roberts, Gale; Lynch, McShane, Millington, Holmes, McMeeken, Jewitt. Subs: Milner, Moors, Massey, Cook.

Wakefield Wildcats: Jones-Bishop; Lyne, Gibson, Arundel, Tupou; Miller, Finn; Scruton, Howarth, England, Kirmond, Ashurst, Arona. Subs: A Tupou, Sio, Anderson, Walton.

Referee: James Child.

Half-time: 18-6.

Attendance: 9,761.