First defeat of the season for under 19’s

Cas' academy side were coming off the back of four wins in a row and after a great run from Charlie Harris and a searching chip in behind from Jack Sadler, they made the most of their early pressure. A high tackle gave the Tigers the opportunity to go at the Trinity line and it was Louis Collinson who charged over from close in. Oliver Robson converted from the tee with the first conversion of the game.

Their lead didn’t last long however, as a few minutes later Wakefield tied the game. A penalty given against Cas gave the visitors great field position inside the 10 metre line and Sam Eseh twisted his way over the try line. Tommy Milburn was accurate with his conversion to make it 6-6.

Castleford came back fighting as their attacking play looked dangerous as Nathan Copley got his head down and made a burst for the line but unfortunately was held up.

It was the Fords’ turn to do some defending with 20 minutes gone as Wakefield were awarded another penalty which got them into Cas territory. Harry Bowes was the man to charge towards the line but the hooker was held up brilliantly by Castleford’s defensive effort. 

Wakefield continued to stream forward with the wind in their sails but found a Cas defensive unit in top form. Copley produced a crucial interception to relieve the pressure, and that was followed by a fumble from Milburn 10 metres out.

The hosts kept managing to hold Wakefield at bay as both Isaac Shaw and Mac Walsh both went within inches of the line. However, the pressure eventually took its toll as Wakefield went into the lead for the first time through Patrick Odonovan who went over a couple of minutes before half-time. Milburn extended the lead from the tee to take the scores to 6-12 at the break. 

Trinity started the second half on the front foot and extended their lead with 42 minutes on the clock. Milburn did well to break through the line and into the 20 before passing to second rower Luke Mearns to race over unopposed. Milburn missed his conversion for the scores to read 6-16.

After making a brilliant recovering tackle at one end, Nathan Carter then turned try scorer moments later in the 52nd minute to close the game up. The interchange smashed his way through the Trinity defence and Milburn followed it up with a conversion that went through the posts.

Eight minutes later Wakefield took control of the game as they got some breathing space with 20 minutes to go. Bowes put a chip forward which caused confusion in the Cas defensive ranks and Robbie Mann was in the right place to touch down. Butterworth kicked through the posts. 

The Tigers were not about to let the game pass them by as they battled back strongly. A beautiful move out to the left as Harris ripped a pass out to Aaron Willis to dive over in the corner. Robson went close with his conversion from out wide but it came back off the post. 

Wakefield kept getting bodies forward and they scored again with just over 10 minutes remaining. Leon Ruan took the ball in on the last and barged his way over as the second row got the ball down. Butterworth added the extras to take the scores to 12-28.

It was a grandstand finish as Cas got themselves within a score of the visitors. A sin bin for Oli Farrar gave the Tigers a penalty in the Trinity 20. The Fords put the ball through the hands as the play went out to the right and Josh Milthorpe scooted over next to the corner flag. Robson did brilliantly to convert from out on the far touchline.

Fortunately for Wakefield, their short kick off bounced back into their possession and the visitors saw the game out for our under 19’s to suffer their first defeat this season.

Full-time: Castleford Tigers U19’s 22-28 Wakefield Trinity U19’s

Castleford: Harris, Hutchinson, Willis, Ransome, Milthorpe, Robson, Copley, Harte, Sadler, Wood, Attley, Magee, Collinson 

Interchanges: Donelley, Cook, Gunn, Farrar, Carter, Sutcliffe, Buffet

Tries: Collinson, Carter, Willis, Milthorpe 

Conversions: Robson (3/4)