Friday Interview - Danny Orr: Castleford spirits still high as they eye summit

The famous pub on Wheldon Road has seen many an avid supporter fervently argue his case for their beloved club but that is what fans do even if their team could barely muster a tackle let alone a win.

It has been a while since a player has been able to defiantly claim Castleford should be leading the rest but their present captain Danny Orr is not intoxicated or deluded in anyway.

They may have lost their last three league matches but this current team feel it is they, and not tonight’s opponents Warrington, who can rightfully claim they deserve to be the competition leaders.

Some Castleford fans will be merely hoping to end that losing run this evening and get their season back on track after enjoying such a promising start.

But Orr told the Yorkshire Post: “If I’m brutally honest, we should be in a better position – I think we should be top.

“That’s not me getting carried away and it is only my opinion but we know we should have beaten Wakefield and probably St Helens.

“If we’d have done that we‘d be clear at the top so there’s no panic stations here.”

When you look at the evidence it is easy to see his point.

Before the Easter programme, Terry Matterson’s team were, indeed, in the lofty heights of first place but a dodgy run of results over that intensive period saw them slump to fifth in a little over a week.

Their proud home record – Castleford had been daunting for all-comers to the Probiz Coliseum in 2011 – was ended by the unlikeliest of opponents as struggling Wakefield produced an amazing fight back to win there on Good Friday.

A controversial late defeat at St Helens followed on Easter Monday before Leeds Rhinos, inspired by the returning England captain Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire, arrived at Wheldon Road and inflicted a record-breaking loss that Friday while most other people were enjoying the royal wedding.

Rarely can there have been a more catastrophic eight days in terms of results alone but for Castleford, the vibrant surprise package of this season who, with Wigan, have a game in hand on their rivals, it seemed particularly harsh.

Veteran half-back Orr accepts: “If you look at those three losses, Wakefield we totally threw away given we were 24-4 up; St Helens we lost in the space of five seconds and, while Leeds was the really bad one, we had more than enough chances to win that too.

“We had two or three tries disallowed and plenty of opportunities created.

“We’re not playing badly. Three losses doesn’t look good but we’re still confident.

“Warrington will be tough but we believe we can go there and get a win.”

Tony Smith’s side are one of four clubs sharing top spot, ahead of Huddersfield, Saints and Wigan courtesy only of a better points difference, which points to the competitive nature of this season’s football.

Castleford are now three points behind them following that trio of defeats but they regained some momentum with a routine 72-10 victory over Rochdale Hornets in the Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round on Sunday to leave them well-oiled in readiness for the trip to Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Warrington also blitzed Championship One opponents, easing past Keighley Cougars 80-0, and with the likes of stellar stand-off Lee Briers orchestrating their star-studded squad, scoring points is never an issue.

Orr, who turns 33 on Wednesday, admitted: “When they are on they are probably the best team in the comp – they are outstanding.

“Lee Briers has been there and done it. Me and him came through at the same time in ‘97 and he’s still doing it now. We have got to try to keep him quiet. That would make our job easier.

“But, for all Warrington are a great side, they’ve lost a few too.

“Hull went there and beat them so we know it’s achievable.

“We’re under no illusions it’s going to be a tough game but we’ll have a good crack and we’re looking forward to it.”

Injuries have played their part in recent weeks with Castleford finally suffering on that front, particularly in the front-row area, but they have numbers returning this evening including prop Paul Jackson.

England Elite Training squad member Brett Ferres will have benefited from a rest last weekend, as will Stuart Jones, Martin Aspinwall and Richie Mathers.

Exciting young hooker Daryl Clark, 17, does earn his own breather but in the brilliant Rangi Chase – Orr’s maverick half-back partner who is set to star for the Exiles next month – they have the ability to unlock any defence.

“I’d imagine Rangi would be in against England,” said Orr.

“He’s probably the form stand-off in Super League and he’s playing really well.

“He does some things in training which leave you thinking ‘how the hell has he done that?’

“He’s still quite young and some things he does on the pitch he probably shouldn’t – he gets a bit giddy at times – but he knows that and is developing it.”

Given Castleford’s highest Super League position was fifth in 1999, repeated again the following year, it could be said they should be happy with consolidating their current spot.

There is a feeling, however, especially given some of their earlier exploits, they can really excel if they can recapture that initial form.

“There’s no pressure at all,” said Orr. “We’ve had a decent start and are going all right.

“There’s a long, long way to go. If we put four or five wins together we’ll be in a really good position while it could go the other way – but whatever happens we are confident in our ability.”

Super League needs to beware the wounded Tiger.