Castleford Tigers 52 Huddersfield Giants 6: Brown says sorry to Giants fans as debutant Ellis inspires Tigers romp

Huddersfield Giants coach Nathan Brown apologised to supporters after his side’s trouncing at lowly Castleford Tigers.

The former Stobart Super League leaders conceded eight tries in a woeful performance before Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Warrington.

Added to their woes was that winger Luke George could be a doubt for the last-four clash after being taken off with concussion.

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Brown was scathing about his side’s display as he reflected on their seventh defeat in their past eight league matches.

“(Yesterday) is the worst day since I’ve been at the club. We played a side who are struggling down at the bottom of the table with six or seven blokes out,” he said.

“We quit and it’s sad to say that. We put 17 bodies out there and there was probably one or maybe two that had some soul – the rest were skeletons.

“We quit early in the game and as a coach obviously I take my share of the responsibility. It’s my saddest coaching day since I’ve been at Huddersfield. We need to be much, much tougher as a group.

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“I feel as much to blame as the players should feel. It’s embarrassing for the fans and I can only apologise. For them to see that (yesterday), I feel really sorry for them and they are entitled to be angry and they are entitled to boo me and boo the players.”

Castleford, with just one win in their previous six games, gave a dazzling display. Former Hull half-back Jamie Ellis capped his Tigers debut with a try and 10 goals from 11 kicks and full-back Richard Owen bagged two tries.

Tigers went in front via James Clare before Leroy Cudjoe replied for the Giants, plucking Danny Brough’s kick out of the air.

Brough’s conversion put the Giants 6-4 up but that was the highlight of an otherwise dismal afternoon and it was shortlived.

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Castleford romped away with tries for Jordan Thompson, Nick Youngquest, Josh Griffin, Owen’s double, while Adam Milner forced his way over from acting half close to the line and Ellis also crossed to put the icing on the cake for the Tigers.

Tigers coach Ian Millward said: “We had a high completion rate and great kicking game.”

Castleford: Owen, Youngquest, Thompson, Griffin, Clare, Orr, Ellis, Jackson, Milner, Huby, Millington, Snitch, Emmitt. Substitutes: Jones, Hudson, Mitchell, Massey.

Huddersfield: Eden, Murphy, Cudjoe, Lawrence, George, Brough, Robinson, Mason, Moore, Gilmour, O’Donnell, Patrick, Brown. Substitutes: Fa’alogo, Lee, Faiumu, Chan.

Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield).