Steadman's future looks bleak
Castleford 10 Wakefield 4
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Graham Steadman went to talk to disgruntled fans who sat in protest on the terraces after seeing Castleford fall apart in the second half to suffer their seventh defeat in as many games in Super League this season. His next chat could be with the club's directors.
Castleford were swept aside by the rampant Wildcats, who scored six tries in the last half-hour of what became an embarrassingly one-sided contest. "In 13 years at the club, I'm at my lowest ebb," Steadman admitted. "To be beaten in the manner we were in the second half is just not good enough." But he denied any intention of resigning. "I'm not going anywhere. It's up to the directors to give me their full backing or make the call."
Wakefield's outstanding captain, Gareth Ellis, got them moving when he ran wide to take Jason Demetriou's floated pass for their first try before Castleford levelled the scores through Sean Ryan. The Tigers even took the lead, when a high kick from Francis Maloney caused chaos and Dean Ripley scored.
Ben Jeffries tied the scores with a solo try before the break and the second half belonged exclusively to Wakefield, despite the loss of their playmaker, Jamie Rooney, with a worrying ankle injury.
David Solomona started the rot with a perfect pass for Semi Tadulala to tiptoe in at the corner. Demetriou, perhaps lucky to still be on the field after two high tackles on Paul Newlove, then stole the ball from Ripley for one try and set up the position from which Ellis added his second.
Another Solomona pass gave Tadulala a second and Ellis, by now doing pretty much as he pleased, set up late scores for Michael Korkidas and Jeffries. "His form this year has been sensational from the first game," said the Wakefield coach, Shane McNally, of Ellis. "But he just seems to get better and better." The only downside to a performance that shows how much the whole side have improved this season was on the injury front, with McNally anxious over Rooney and also fearing that the second row forward, David Wrench, has broken his leg.
Castleford: Saxton; Rogers, Clayton, Newlove, Ripley; Rudder, Maloney; Jackson, Hudson, Lynch, Smith, Ryan, Thackray. Substitutes: Sykes, Hepworth, Brambani, Huby.
Wakefield: Halpenny; Wainwright, Demetriou, Domic, Tadulala; Rooney, Jeffries; Griffin, March, Korkidas, Solomona, Wrench, Ellis. Substitutes: Ryder, Elima, Hood, Talipau.
Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments