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Posted: Wednesday 15th January 2020

Key youngsters give thoughts on Widnes defeat

Calum Turner and Jacques O'Neill reflect on what can be learnt from the 32-10 loss and how they see themselves leading from the front.

A youthful Castleford side was unable to come away with a victory after a long trip across to Widnes, but will doubtless have gained a great deal of experience against a battle-tested veteran Widnes outfit. The Tigers fell to a 32-10 defeat in their second pre-season game, but there were plenty of positives to take from the game, which showcased much of the homegrown talent that will be able to support the first team squad, with the 2020 season starting in just a fortnights time.

After working his way through the youth ranks, Calum Turner added some first team experience in the halfbacks and partnered well with youngster Tom Schofield. Here, he gives his verdict on how the game was valuable experience for a developing side, his new partner in the halves, and how he hopes his own experience can spur on the team.

“I think we had a poor first 10 minutes for either side of half-time, that really killed us. But I think we had 10-15 minute spells in either half where we got ourselves back into the game, and I just think if me and Schoey [Tom Schofield] had pulled a bit more shape on them, I reckon we could have got some more points on the board".

“[Tom]’s a very good player. I’ve played with him through the scholarship system and he has plenty of experience, but we’ll keep working on the combinations and we’ll keep improving. I’m still learning my new role as a half-back but I’ve had some Super League experience, so some of these younger lads look up to me as a leader, so I just need to keep working on my role and it’ll help the team. Playing against the likes of Matty Smith, Danny Craven today – they’re experienced Super League players - it’ll only benefit the young lads at the end of the day”.

Jacques O’Neil was another young head on old shoulders to feature against the Vikings, having seen Super League action last year. O’Neil’s experience certainly showed in his second pre-season start and Daryl Powell will be impressed with the hooker’s maturity as he battles for a starting spot come the start of the season.

“I felt like a leader out there today, I know I’m still one of the younger boys, but I felt I guided the team around and that’s what I want to be doing from the 13 role. There were obviously a lot of young players, it’s a young squad and it was their full first team. We need to look at the positives as well, but I think the young lads that played were great, they stood up to the older boys.”

O'Neill also reflects on how younger academy players will benefit from the experience of playing for the reserves: “Yeah, of course! Even myself, I’ll benefit from the reserves! It’s gonna be great. If it’s going to be a team like that, I reckon we’ll do well. Versus a full-strength side from them, and we were doing alright against them.”

The full match report from the Halton stadium is available here. For the Tigers’ final pre-season test, both Calum Turner and Jacques O’Neill will be hoping to feature in the squad for captain Michael Shenton’s testimonial against the Toronto Wolfpack next Sunday at 2:00pm.