Despite not winning any silverware Castleford still impressed, here’s our season review.
2018 Club Record
Wins: 20
Losses: 9
Competition Points: 41
2018 Player Achievements
Most Tries: Greg Eden (18)
Most Points: Jamie Ellis (117)
Season Summary
Castleford came into 2018 looking to go one better than the previous season. The 2017 runners up started their campaign at highly fancied St Helens and Daryl Powell’s men were in for a long evening. Saints ran out 46-6 in a dominant display and left many people bemused with the performance.
The Tigers then struggled in their next few games at times, however since their opening day defeat, they won the next five matches including a one point away victory at Elland Road in which Castleford raced into a 25-0 lead before desperately holding on 25-24.
Castleford suffered injuries throughout the year but arguably the most significant was to Luke Gale during their 24-6 home win over Wakefield at the end of April. A couple weeks later Castleford’s first opportunity of a trophy was over when St Helens beat them 36-18 in the Challenge Cup, with the side poor record continuing as they’ve not won that competition since 1986.
Once arriving at the Super 8s, Castleford were in a solid position with them sitting third, 8 points away from fifth placed Huddersfield. This meant Powell’s men were in a good position for a playoff place.
Castleford won five of their seven Super 8s matches with the two defeats being away at St Helens and Wigan, with the side facing the latter in the semi-final. It was a hard-fought playoff contest with Wigan leading 7-0 at half time, however they stood firm in defence to end Castleford’s bid for back to back final appearances after a 14-0 defeat to the side who won the Grand Final.
NothingButLeague Player of the Season Jake Trueman
The youngster really impressed many in 2018 with 17 try assists along with seven of his own. The 19-year-old showed huge maturity especially during the period without Luke Gale as he showed a strong attacking intent as well as was able to build pressure. He was acknowledged for his efforts with him being named as Super League young player of the year and he has since signed a new four-year deal with the Tigers. A player who will only progress and is a very exciting prospect for the future.
2019 GAINS AND LOSSES
Gains
Peter Mata’utia (Leigh Centurions)
Losses
Jake Webster, James Green (Bradford Bulls), Gadwin Springer (Toronto Wolfpack), QLT (Halifax), Brandon Douglas (Doncaster), Kieran Gill (Newcastle Thunder, loan)
