news-engine

Castleford Tigers benefitted from playing away from home, Chris Chester has suggested when speaking after his side’s win over Hull FC. The Tigers won 18-14 in a gritty performance that saw them sacrifice a 12-0 lead but ultimately come back and win, moving them into prime position for the club’s stated aim of finishing eighth in the table. Finishing eighth was something that Chester had spoken about in his pre-match presser and there’s now a realistic chance of that with Castleford two points behind Catalans, albeit with an easier final four games. Speaking after Friday night’s win, Chester spoke about how playing away took the pressure off following last week’s vitriolic atmosphere at Wheldon Road, where many players were booed throughout the game. “I think the pressure was off coming away from home, we could play without any fear and I’m really proud of them. It’s been challenging,” he admitted in the presser shared on the club’s YouTube channel. Chester even admitted that he could have taken players out of the firing line, with Louis Senior among those to get the treatment from fans last week. He said: “It would have been very easy of me to sit people down after what had gone on last week but I think there were a few guys out there that had a point to prove. “I spoke to Louis during the week and I thought he played really, really well. He showed some real character and came up with a big play at the end there. “It has been a tough week and it is a special win but it’s only two points and if we want to finish eighth, then we need three more of them.” The Wheels Have Fallen Off At Castleford! Huddersfield Giants Leaving Town In £10M Stadium Move?! – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show! Castleford Tigers director no clearer on Ryan Carr The travelling fans were incredibly supportive from minute one at the MKM Stadium and Chester paid tribute, whilst also accepting their understandable frustrations. On the incredible support, he said: “They were and that’s what we want, that’s what we need. “I understand the frustrations among the fan group and we probably haven’t handled the situation as well as we could have done.” The situation he refers to is of course the fact that head coach Ryan Carr has not led the side for the last two weeks with the club confirming ‘personal reasons’ to be the reason why, despite initial reports from other outlets suggesting that the Australian had been stood down. Castleford have now brought in Luke Robinson to work as an assistant coach and flesh out the coaching staff in Carr’s absence, suggesting he won’t be in charge next week against St Helens but Chester could not offer any further update on the Tigers’ head coach. “No, I’ve not had any discussions with anybody at the club,” he said. “My job this week was to prepare the players and I’ve probably taken an eye off the other job, which is probably even more important. “We’re going to get some good people in next week in Luke Robbo to assist the coaching staff because at the moment we’ve got Scott Murrell and we’ve got Rob Nikolay who is the general manager but has had to get his boots back on.” He also explained how the illness to Danny Wilson, to whom he dedicated the win when speaking on Sky Sports, has seen resources stretched as he he again wished the club’s CEO well. “We’re missing a CEO in Danny Wilson and everybody is kind of picking up little bits, and I just that that was a win for Danny because I know he’s doing it tough in hospital. Hopefully we can see him back at the club some time soon but I think it’s going to be a few months before that happens.”