Castleford Tigers v Saints

Saints made it consecutive Betfred Super League wins to open 2025 with a 6-46 victory over Castleford Tigers in West Yorkshire!

Saints took a sixth minute lead. After a sustained spell of pressure which included forcing a dropout, the visitors moved the ball right and Jack Welsby fed Joe Batchelor who broke a tackle and dove over the line from close range under pressure. Mark Percival converted, 0-6.

Four minutes later, we had a trip to the video referee. Off the back of a penalty, Saints moved into Castleford territory again. A few tackles in, Tristan Sailor threw a cut-out pass to Kyle Feldt on the right wing, he dove towards the corner and finished well to increase Saints’ led, with a try being awarded after a quick review. Percival couldn’t convert from the touchline, 0-10.

A third try came quickly after, Saints moved the ball well through the hands down the left edge which resulted in Jon Bennison breaking, he kicked inside towards Jonny Lomax and he picked it up well and scored down the left edge. Percival missed the conversion, 0-14.

Castleford had their first opening 22 minutes in. A penalty pushed them into Saints territory for the first time and a few tackles in they shifted it left, Innes Senior broke down their left edge but some great cover defending by Harry Robertson pushed him into touch. The referee then brought the play back for an obstruction and awarded Saints a penalty.

We had another trip to the video referee with just under thirteen minutes of the first half to go. Saints charged down a Tigers kick, but the ball ricocheted favourably for the hosts and they got the ball near the Saints line. A few tackles later, Liam Horne found Sylvester Namo from dummy half and he ran a powerful line to score. Again, the try was awarded after a brief review. Tex Hoy converted, 6-14.

As we hit the final minute of the half, Saints broke down the left edge, but the referee brought it back for a forward pass. Saints led at the break though, after an early trio of tries put the Red V in control.

Coming out of the break, Paul Wellens’ side would be without loose forward Morgan Knowles for the remainder of the evening, as he was ruled out after a collision in midfield.

Saints almost had the perfect start to the second half. A high kick into the corner by Lomax was claimed by Sailor who looked to have been wrapped up but pulled off an audacious backheel kick to the corner which Kershaw just about beat Bennison to and conceded a dropout.

The visitors weren’t to be denied for much longer though. Saints got a penalty on the Tigers line, used up a few tackles and then Daryl Clark found Agnatius Paasi who crashed over from close range. Percival added the extras, 6-20.

Try number five followed. Saints again had a spell on the Castleford line and shifted the ball from left to right. Robertson picked up a bouncing ball, threw a dummy and breezed over the line to score. Percival added the extras, 6-26.

Saints continued to apply the pressure, and that resulted in another trip upstairs to the video referee. The visitors did well to keep the ball alive, Alex Walmsley running onto it from close range and reached out to score. Percival added the conversion, 6-32.

Robertson had his second try with just under 15 minutes to go. The Red V moved the ball through the hands, Welsby found Robertson who broke through a gap before diving over to score in the corner. Percival missed the kick, 6-36.

Castleford tried to fightback as Fletcher Rooney broke down their left edge, Welsby did brilliantly thought to drag the Tigers fullback into touch. Try number eight came before fulltime. Welsby collected the ball and moved right, he threw a dummy, broke a tackle and got past some more tired Tigers defenders to score. Percival converted, 6-42.

Saints added a final try in the last minute. The visitors went left, Welsby throwing a great cut-out pass to Bennison who strolled over in the corner. Percival was unable to convert, but the job was already completed as Saints made it consecutive league victories to open 2025 with a 6-46 victory over the Tigers.

Match Summary

Castleford Tigers Team: Fletcher Rooney, Lee Kershaw, Sam Wood, Zac Cini, Innes Senior, Daejarn Asi, Tex Hoy, Joe Westerman, Judah Rimbu, George Lawler, Jeremiah Simbiken, Josh Hodson, Liam Horne.

Interchanges:  George Griffin, Josh Hodson, Muizz Mustapha, Sylvester Namo.

18th Man: Luke Hooley.

Tries: Sylvester Namo (27)

Conversions: Tex Hoy (1 from 1)

Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Kyle Feldt, Harry Robertson, Mark Percival, Jon Bennison, Tristan Sailor, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees, Joe Batchelor, Curtis Sironen, Morgan Knowles.

Interchanges: Matt Whitley, Agnatius Passi, Jake Wingfield, George Delaney.

18th Man: Noah Stephens.

Tries: Joe Batchelor (6), Kyle Feldt (10), Jonny Lomax (15), Agnatius Paasi (48), Harry Robertson (52, 66), Alex Walmsley (58), Jack Welsby (75), Jon Bennison (80)

Conversions: Mark Percival (5 from 9)

HT: 6-14

FT: 6-46

Attendance: 7,723