Castleford: Tigers must start taking try chances warns McMeeken

FRUSTRATED Mike McMeeken admits Castleford Tigers must start taking their opportunities.
Castleford's 
Mike McMeekenCastleford's 
Mike McMeeken
Castleford's Mike McMeeken

The big second-row made his debut for the club in Friday night’s 21-14 defeat at Wigan Warriors.

Castleford had ample chances to capitalise against the champions and pick up a first league win there since 1990.

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However, a combination of poor finishing, daft errors and weak defence led them to see a potential chance to finally get their season off the mark disappear in front of their eyes.

Tigers have now lost their opening three games and McMeeken, who joined from London Broncos on a two-year deal in the off-season, conceded: “It was disappointing.

“We’ve not won a game yet but a lot of the boys think it’s three games we could have win.

“It was good to get my debut for Cas on Friday but obviously it was disappointing to lose like that.

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“There were opportunities there for us to win that but it just didn’t happen.”

Justin Carney’s wild pass in front of his own posts led to a Josh Jones try at the start of the second half that saw Daryl Powell’s side fall 14-0 behind.

The Australian struck back with two tries of his own and when Saints were reduced to 12 men after Kyle Amor’s yellow card, the chance was there for Tigers to strike again.

However, Saints took control instead and so winless Castleford head into Friday’s home game against Wigan with the pressure firmly on already this season.

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McMeeken, 20, said: “We didn’t have the best start to the second half but there were chances in both the first and second to put points on the board.

“It just didn’t come together.

“It doesn’t get any easier but we’ve got to keep working hard during the week ready to take on Wigan come Friday night.”

McMeeken, the six foot five inch forward, has had to bide his time at Wheldon Road but showed some neat touches and almost set Jordan Tansey up with his first touch.

“It was great to get out there,” he said. “I’ve been working hard in pre-season and was just happy Powelly gave me the opportunity. I just mis-timed that pass by a split second so it went forward but it happens.

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“I’ll work hard again this week again and hopefully get a shot against Wigan.”

McMeeken’s former London colleague Matt Cook also debuted off the bench on Friday, coming on in the second-row, but Castleford lost prop Andy Lynch and Denny Solomona to injuries.

They will both be assessed today but remain doubtful for the visit of Wigan who lost 22-20 at Hull KR yesterday.