Castleford Tigers Target Super League Crown After Claiming Leaders Shield In Style

Castleford Tigers Target Super League Crown After Claiming Leaders Shield In Style
13:22, 18 Aug 2017

Castleford Tigers celebrated winning the League Leaders’ Shield as if they had just been crowned Super League champions, and why not?

The team from the former coal mining town in West Yorkshire had never before in their 91-year history finished top of the table.

So it was understandable that Powell, his players and the supporters should celebrate the feat with such euphoria.

Thursday night's 45-20 win over Wakefield at Wheldon Road will live long in the memory of the Castleford fans who follow their club with almost religious zeal.

Romance in the game breathed as the Tigers marched into the history books with a style and panache that has become their hallmark and ensured they deserve every superlative that comes their way.

Head coach Powell said: “There are so many people here who have worked so hard. The boys have been awesome all year and the support we have had has been incredible. It has been an amazing season and this was a special night.”

The scenes at the end told a story of trust and of undeniable progress.

It is worth remembering that Castleford have largely been perennial strugglers of the game since the advent of Super League and switch to summer rugby just over 20 years ago.

There have been relegations and no few ups and downs, but this was their night and who could blame them for making the most of it?

Powell has worked wonders since taking the reins at his hometown club just over four years ago.

And while the significance of finishing top for Powell’s exhilaratingly high-tempo side should not be overstated, it should also be remembered that they have not been crowned champions.

The League Leaders’ Shield, often derided as ‘the hubcap’, is universally acknowledged as being the least important of the three domestic trophies on offer every year.

It is a recognition of being the most consistent side during the regular season but it is not the championship. As everyone knows, the title is decided by the play-offs and date at Old Trafford in early October. Powell’s men now just stand just 80 minutes away from a maiden Grand Final appearance.

After being presented with the League Leaders’ Shield, skipper Michael Shenton said: “It’s amazing. We came here today, the sun was shining and we knew it was going to be an awesome night. We’re going to celebrate now and then regroup and totally focus on getting to Old Trafford.

“This is for all the fans who have stuck with us all throughout the years. We’re in the history books now.”

Castleford will also receive £100,000 in prize money and a shot at an NRL club in the World Club Series next year.

It has been a season of such emotion for the people of Castleford, but now attention turns to securing a far bigger prize. The Super League title.

Powell added: “Whoever we play (in the home semi-final for a place in the Grand Final) it will be a tough game, there are no given right because you are at home.

“It's going to be tough and Grand Finals are always tough. I was fortunate to play in one and it was unbelievably tough.

“We have some tough games ahead of us but you have got to enjoy things that happen in your life and this is a big one for us.

“It has never happened at the club before so this group of people (will) end up in the history books of Castleford Tigers and that's special.”

x
Suggested Searches:
The Sportsman
Manchester United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Premier League
Sportsman HQ
72-76 Cross St
Manchester M2 4JG
We will not ask you to provide any personal information when using The Sportsman website. You may see advertisement banners on the site, and if you choose to visit those websites, you will accept the terms and conditions and privacy policy applicable to those websites. The link below directs you to our Group Privacy Policy, and our Data Protection Officer can be contacted by email at: [email protected]

All original material is Copyright Β© 2019 by The Sportsman Communications Ltd.
Other material is copyright their respective owners.