Castleford Tigers: Hat-trick proves a hollow one for winger Flynn

His treble against Widnes Vikings on Thursday was all in vain as hosts Castleford lost 38-28 in a bitterly disappointing team display.

Flynn arrived from Widnes last month for the rest of the season and impressed on debut in the 52-12 win at Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.

He also played in the victory at Warrington but was left out against Huddersfield Giants following some defensive errors in Castleford’s loss to Wigan.

However, after Luke Dorn failed a late fitness test, the 28-year-old was recalled against Widnes on the wing with Denny Solomona switching to the No1 role – and it reaped immediate dividends.

“I’d rather swap that hat-trick for the win any day,” Flynn insisted.

“But if there’s one positive I can take out of that it’d be the three tries, especially as I’d not scored yet for Cas,

“Playing on the left-hand side I seemed to get that little bit more ball and I wouldn’t mind playing there again.

“Luke Dorn couldn’t make the game so Daryl (Powell) switched the team around so I could go on the left side.

“Even late on in the game he moved it again so Joel Monaghan could jump in at full-back and Denny go to the wing.

“It is a versatile team and I don’t mind mucking in.”

Flynn had amassed more than 100 tries for the Vikings since debuting in 2008 but says he was “sacrificed” to make way for NRL signing Jack Buchanan.

Down the pecking order behind Corey Thompson and Patrick Ah Van, he had played just one game for Widnes this term in the Challenge Cup against Rochdale Hornets.

On Thursday, Castleford had trailed 38-12 heading into the final 11 minutes but three quickfire tries, including Flynn’s third, offered a glimmer of hope but it proved to be false hope.

“We’re very disappointed,” admitted Flynn. “It’s an old cliche but it was all ifs and buts – what if this and that – but we have to go out there and do less talking and more actions.

“Widnes out-enthused us and we just can’t afford to do that.”