Dave Craven: No trophies but Castleford Tigers were a breath of fresh air

Granted, Daryl Powell’s side have stumbled towards the end but let us not forget just how exhilarating they have been.

Being described as a “breath of fresh air” is an oft-used phrase but it fits perfectly with Castleford’s sway on domestic rugby league in 2014.

They have been so vibrant, exciting, almost care-free in their style of football yet, at the same time, have shown all the traits of any fine side – determination, steel and copious amounts of character.

Perhaps I have been as guilty as any at being drawn in by it all and, thus, being disappointed that they did not emerge with any silverware.

Yet they have been so enjoyable to watch and so wonderfully efficient before their late slump, that it is hard to remember they finished 12th last term. You now expect them to be on the money every week and forget, in essence, they are still in the embryonic stages.

That said, for all they have not won trophies like the great Castleford sides of ’69 and ’70, Reilly, Hardisty et al, or John Joyner’s ’86 Challenge Cup kings, I am sure followers will look back in decades to come and recollect Clark, Huby, Carney, Shenton, Lynch and the like with just as much fondness.