Castleford Tigers' Big-match Verdict: Cas need to wise up says Powell after first defeat of season

THERE WERE no complaints from Castleford Tigers coach Daryl Powell after his team's first defeat of the season, writes PETER SMITH.
Castleford Tigers coach Daryl Powell.Castleford Tigers coach Daryl Powell.
Castleford Tigers coach Daryl Powell.

Powell admitted Tigers had been”poor” and hosts Salford Red Devils deserved their 13-12 victory which ended Tigers’ five-game winning start.

“I don’t think we ever really got our game together,” Powell admitted.

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“I thought Salford were superb. They really defended us well.

Greg MinikinGreg Minikin
Greg Minikin

“They came up with a smart gameplan and executed it well and we were poor.

“We went one-out in the second half and tried to play the conditions way, way too much.

“I thought they thoroughly deserved the win.”

Powell described it as a “slow game” and added : “We couldn’t get any tempo at all. Conditions dictated it a bit, but we deserved to get beaten.

Jake WebsterJake Webster
Jake Webster
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“There’s quite a few lessons to learn for us. People were asking me in the week about going all season undefeated and it’s put that to bed pretty quickly!

“We just need to move on.There were some lessons for us and we need to learn them. Some of the boys have got some wising-up pretty quickly to do.

“I thought we were unrecognisable. Sometimes conditions dictate that; they got the opportunity and took it, so fair play.”

Tigers were disrupted in the second half when they lost winger Greg Minikin and centre Jake Webster to injuries.

Greg MinikinGreg Minikin
Greg Minikin
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Powell said: “It doesn’t help when you are having to move people around.

“I thought it was an unbelievable finish by Minkin for his try – just awesome – and there was nothing in the game.

“It was a tight game, a bit of an armwrestle and they just edged it. It’s our first real assignment and we’ve come up short so we’ve got to improve in a few areas.”

Of the injuries, Powell confirmed: “Jake got a head knock and couldn’t come back ion.

Jake WebsterJake Webster
Jake Webster
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“Greg did a shoulder when he scored. It’s come out and gone back in pretty quickly, so hopefully it’s not too bad.

“We will have to assess him during the week and see how he is. It was a blow losing two outside-backs, but that wasn’t the reason we lost.”