Castleford Tigers left with plenty to work on after defeat at St Helens in final warm-up game
Head coach Ryan Carr was left with plenty to think about after seeing his side well beaten in their final pre-season warm-up at St Helens.
The new look Tigers, who featured many of their off season signings, were 16-6 down at the break and went on to lose 40-10 in Matty Lees’ testimonial on Saturday afternoon.
They started well enough as they exerted early pressure on the home line, but it came to nothing after a combination of good defending from Saints – also under a new boss in Paul Rowley – and some searching for fluency in the Tigers ranks, which was understandable after they have made so many changes.
The home side showed them how to finish when they opened the scoring as a dropped ball gave them the chance to attack with purpose and a kick ahead was pounced on by Nene Macdonald.
His fellow off season signing Jackson Hastings slotted over the conversion to make it 6-0.
Saints increased their lead when Harry Robertson raced onto a great pass to score the second try, again converted by Hastings.
Further pressure resulted in a third try in the first 25 minutes as a failed short goalline drop-out attempt from Cas gave their opponents great field position from which a flowing move from right to left ended with Jack Welsby sending Deon Cross over in the corner.
The Tigers did finish the half better and were rewarded when three of their newcomers combined to give them their first points from the last play. Tom Weaver's kick was collected by Darnell McIntosh, who then sent Mikaele Ravalawa over for his try in Castleford colours.
Weaver converted from wide out to bring the Tigers to within 10 points of their opponents at the interval.
Cas were unable to build on this at the start of the second half with back to back sets helping Saints extend their lead as Tristan Sailor broke through a gap and was supported by Shane Wright who scored down the right. Hastings added the extras.
Both sides then came close to scoring before the hosts did as Wright grabbed his second try after being left with a stroll over when backing up Robertson who had escaped a tackle. Hastings' goal made it 28-6.
Cas responded with George Lawler held up over the line and the next set seeing them move the ball crisply to the right where Ravalawa raced over for an unconverted try.
However, it was St Helens who had the final word with two more tries. Lewis Murphy went over in the corner and Sailor converted from the touchline then it was Sailor who did the try scoring after backing Jake Davies' break.
George Whitby rounded the scoring off with another conversion and the 40-10 result indicated a gulf in class that the Tigers coaching team will be looking to close when the competitive stuff starts.
The result of course did not cost any points, but left new boss Carr with much to work on ahead of the 2026 Super League campaign.