Leeds Rhinos 40 Castleford Tigers 22: Absence of Chase adds to Castleford’s growing woes

IT WAS not a good weekend for Castleford Tigers and, worryingly, that is even before taking into account yesterday’s 13th Super League defeat of an increasingly troublesome season.

Reports that Man of Steel Rangi Chase was out drinking in the town on Friday night were not confirmed by coach Ian Millward after this Headingley contest but the England star’s non-appearance against champions Leeds Rhinos said plenty.

The Yorkshire Post understands the talented stand-off is being investigated for breaking a club curfew and Chase – dropped two years ago following an alcohol-related incident – did certainly miss the squad’s final training session on Saturday.

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It is the last thing struggling Castleford needed. However, coming so soon to his own admission less that a fortnight ago that he would contemplate a move to one of Super League’s bigger clubs if they came calling, it is easy to see how some may feel the mercurial talent is perhaps trying to manufacture his own departure.

If that was not bad enough for dismayed Castleford fans, they had already heard on Saturday that their teenage starlet Daryl Clark – currently sidelined by a knee injury – had handed in a written transfer request.

It is only a few months since the livewire hooker signed a five-year deal with his hometown club but he has cited his failure to earn international recognition and a desire to win trophies as reasons for wanting to join one of the elite himself.

Castleford turned that down but amid all these off-field concerns it was no surprise the West Yorkshire club, rumoured themselves to be in talks with regards a potential takeover, were never in contention yesterday.

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Indeed, it seemed things were only going to get worse when, trailing 40-6 on the hour mark, Richie Owen was sin-binned for aiming a flurry of punches at Leeds’ newly-capped England centre Carl Ablett.

Ironically, though, Castleford enjoyed their best spell during the volatile full-back’s absence; by the time he returned, his colleagues had actually scored twice through Brett Ferres and Craig Huby while keeping their own line intact.

Ferres further cut the deficit with his second as Leeds – who had seen Ben Jones-Bishop, Ryan Hall and Rob Burrow all notch try doubles – demonstrated once again the frailties which have plagued their shaky title defence.

Young centre Zak Hardaker gave another authoritative display at full-back, a series of scintillating raids suggesting they may not need to pursue their interest in Australian Tim Moltzen when the injured Brent Webb leaves at the end of the season.

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But all the main questions afterwards were surrounding Chase, the 26-year-old contracted until the end of 2015 but whom both Warrington and Huddersfield are keen to sign for next season.

When asked where the player was, Millward – who had close friend Everton manager David Moyes as a guest at Headingley yesterday – replied: “I’m not here to talk about people who aren’t here.

“I’m here to talk about the 17 that are currently here. I picked a team and they are the 17 that played today.” When pressed further to confirm rumours, Millward added: “I don’t want to talk about Rangi Chase. I’m here to talk about today’s game, about the 17 players who played here today and they are the people that represent the club today.”

Castleford started poorly. In-form winger Jones-Bishop, who scored a hat-trick against Wakefield on Monday night, had already crossed twice before finally getting a try that was actually allowed in the 12th minute. It was a sign of Leeds’ comfortable command.

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Nick Youngquest had just forced the England Knights winger into touch before he grounded the first and his second was ruled out for a forward pass from Danny McGuire but there was no doubting his third.

Kallum Watkins, the princely Leeds centre back from injury, provided the assist with a typically sharp pass before Burrow got his first after a Stevie Ward burst.

Burrow supported again for his second following some quality build-up from McGuire and Hall.

On the back of a glut of penalties, Castleford responded when Paul Jackson barrelled over but, crucially, Hall replied just before the interval after he and Ablett exchanged passes down the left.

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A brilliant Hardaker break furnished Watkins and Jones-Bishop added his second when a woeful Owen pass hit the ground on halfway. Kevin Sinfield, who finished with six goals, aimed a high crossfield kick which Hall gathered for his brace.

That, bizarrely, sparked Castleford’s late rally which left Leeds coach Brian McDermott with mixed emotions. “For 60 minutes I thought we were very good,” he said, as the champions secured consecutive wins for the first time since March. “For the final 20 minutes I’m caught between being disappointed and recognising that a lot of blokes have played three games in eight days.”

Leeds Rhinos: Hardaker; Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Ablett, Hall; Sinfield, McGuire; Leuluai, Burrow, Griffin, Jones-Buchanan, Delaney, Ward. Substitutes: Moore, Lunt, Hauraki, Bailey.

Castleford Tigers: Owen; Youngquest, Thompson, Ferres, Williams; McGoldrick, Orr; Massey, Milner, Huby, Millington, Holmes, Emmitt. Substitutes: Walker, Snitch, Jones, Jackson.

Referee: T Roby (Whitehaven).