Castleford were in front through a Danny Richardson penalty, though Wire took the lead from the Tigers with a brilliant try from Tom Lineham in the corner after good work from Toby King and Ben Currie. A penalty goal from Stefan Ratchford made it 6-2 in Wire’s favour but Callum Turner had Daryl Powell’s team level when he was awarded a penalty try after Keanan Brand made dangerous contact with Turner while the Castleford man was in the act of scoring. Richardson’s second goal made it 6-8, before Ratchford levelled with a penalty of his own. The final stages of the game were a missed drop-goal-athon, with five attempts at the one-pointer going awry. First Austin put one wide, before Jake Trueman failed to get close. Gareth Widdop barely found the right postcode and Richardson narrowly missed with a pair of strikes, before Austin finally came up with the clutch play of the match to secure a third win of the season for Steve Price’s team. Here are my six talking points...
While it wasn’t an Oscar-worthy performance, it was certainly a marked improvement on last week’s straight-to-supermarket-DVD-basket horror show. Wire were better disciplined and worked harder than they did at Headingley, matching their Castleford opponents in every facet of the game. The attack still isn’t clicking but the defensive cohesion was back and only once was the Wire line breached. It wasn’t anything to write home about, but it was a gritty and resilient win - and a deserved one. Wire’s defensive effort, combined with their work-rate and endeavour made them worthy winners in this one.
2) Props to you, Mike and Joe
Another week, another question mark over the forwards. It was the regular choices of Chris Hill and Mike Cooper from the off, with Joe Philbin and Sitaleki Akauola from the bench. Cooper and Philbin were particularly impressive, while Hill finished the game strongly. A team needs more than just three high-quality props though, and with Akauola unable to do lengthy stints, the lack of a fourth option is glaring. Cooper, Hill and Philbin are fatiguing themselves with their work because there are no players to provide them with adequate cover. This made the decision to name Jake Mamo on the bench but not use him even more baffling - why not bolster your forwards pack with Matt Davis or Luis Johnson instead of a back who didn’t even get used?
3) A game of two halves
Wire’s two marquee half-backs found themselves at the forefront of attention and discussion once again on Friday night after indifferent individual performances. Austin started the game terribly and was guilty of some sloppy plays in the first half, including poor kicking and lack of desire to get to a loose ball. Widdop was working hard in defence but struggling to have any impact at all in attack. The second half belonged to Austin though, who re-found his ability to take on a line and try something adventurous. It didn’t always work - the forward pass to Lineham when easy metres were on offer or the kick straight at a Cas man - but it was nice to see a few signs of 2019 Austin, who ended up winning the match for his side with a well-executed drop-goal at the second time of asking. This was not Widdop’s night and we still await a top performance from both of these players at the same time.
4) The left is all right
I’ve been very critical of the left edge as I’ve seen it as our weak point in defence and attack for nearly 12 months now. However, I thought three of our best performers in this match were the left edge trio - Tom Lineham, Toby King and Ben Currie. Lineham was Wire’s only tryscorer with a tremendous finish in the corner, and this came after a well-timed offload from Currie and then King drawing his man and creating the space for Lineham to score with his pass. All three were very reliable defensively too.
5) Just drop it, will you?
It feels like for as long as I’ve been alive, Wire have had problems with kicking a drop-goal. The first incident that springs to mind is the infamous Challenge Cup game against Wigan in 2017 when both Ratchford and Declan Patton fumbled their lines late on in a defeat, while despite getting over the line, Ratchford, Tyrone Roberts and Kevin Brown all made a dog’s dinner of their shots in Wire’s playoff semi-final win over Saints in 2018. Then there was Catalans away in 2019, and now there’s this to add to it - it wasn’t until Austin’s second attempt - and Wire’s third - that finally a successful drop-goal was slotted over. Given that Wire play such a defensive brand of rugby under Steve Price, many games are going to be low scoring and tight, so it would be worth the club practising drop-goals every day in training.
6) Walk this way
With Daryl Clark’s mixed fitness after picking up an injury at Headingley last week, he could only make the bench against his former team, with Danny Walker given his first start of the season. Walker did an impressive job at hooker, taking on the line numerous times from dummy-half, and displaying quick and nimble footwork. His distribution with the ball was good too, and it was pace enough to cause Castleford problems. Yes, there were one or two little mistakes but overall this was a good night for the 20-year-old, who is proving an able deputy for Clark.
Player Ratings
Stefan Ratchford - 8/10
Very nervy start to the game but grew into it and came up with some big plays - none bigger than blocking Richardson’s second drop-goal attempt.
Tom Lineham - 8/10
Fabulous dive for the corner to open the Wire scoring and was good defensively all night, as well as in his yardage carries. Should’ve had an assist for Clark.
Toby King - 8/10
His best display of the year so far. Well timed ball to send Lineham over in the corner and went about his defensive work very well.
Keanan Brand - 6/10
Better than last week and made one excellent try-saver in the first half, though conceded a penalty try after a badly timed one of Turner.
Josh Charnley - 7/10
Ran the ball hard and made plenty of metres. Forced their man into touch when they looked certain to score as well.
Blake Austin - 8/10
Started the game poorly but was much better in the second half, with some lovely steps and dummies reminiscent of his 2019 game. Class play to win the match.
Gareth Widdop - 5/10
Certainly not his night. I think he’s been fairly solid so far but this was a testing evening. His kicks weren’t challenging enough and he created little with the ball. Good in defence though.
Chris Hill - 6/10
His second stint was far better than his first. Not sure what his role is going forward.
Danny Walker - 7/10
Very impressed with the speed of his distribution and his willingness to run from dummy-half. Got through so much work. One or two errors but largely good.
Mike Cooper - 8/10
What an effort this guy puts in every week. One of the best forwards in the league.
Ben Currie - 8/10
Thought he was brilliant. Would’ve had a try but for a blatantly high tackle and helped set Lineham up with a superb offload. Got through mountains of work in defence too.
Ben Murdoch-Masila - 6/10
One massive hit which I remember but this was one of his quieter games. Gave away one or two cheap penalties also.
Jason Clark - 7/10
As always, a machine in defence and his role is important. Had plenty of good carries of the ball in the early stages.
Joe Philbin - 7/10
I thought his introduction changed the game. His go-forward and energy helped Wire get on top. He needs to be starting.
Sitaleki Akauola - 5/10
Was held up over the line once but that was the highlight of a pretty uneventful time on the pitch.
Daryl Clark - 5/10
Good use of the ball as always but should’ve had a certain try in the corner, but instead found himself in touch.
Jake Mamo - N/A
Unused.
Daniel (@aloosewire)
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