http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ Independent Castleford Tigers RLFC news, views, comment and humour from the Aye of the Tigers http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=580 The far from mediterranean weather in Perpignan this week could scupper the Tigers trip to the South of France this weekend. As hundreds of Cas fans are boarding planes and heading off to hoildays booked months ago, the Catalans gemenral manager Christophe Levy has confirmed that Saturday's game is under threat after a prolonged spell of snow has left the pitch covered. "It snowed for the whole day (Tuesday) and everything is closed," Levy said. "The players and volunteers are trying to clear the pitch but it's going really slowly. The snow is not melting because it's only one degree. We will see at the end of the day how far we get but we probably won't make a decision until tomorrow (Thursday)." Catalans are advising club and fans not to travel until an official announcement has been made regarding the game. Marvellous!]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=579 With Paul Jackson the latest Tiger taking time out this season (below), head coach Terry Matterson has made another loan swoop in an attempt to cover the cracks in Cas' paper thin squad. This time it's Warrington's Mike Cooper who joins the club on a month long loan. Utility forward Cooper, 21, turned out for Wire's first team 19 times last season and was a try-scorer for them in their semi final cup win over Wigan. He's also won representative honours with the England U16 and U17 teams. Matterson told the official site: "Mike is a big strong young forward who I feel can do a good job for us. We have lost Paul Jackson for around a month and with our previous injuries we have found ourselves a little short on numbers. Mike played in a cup winning side last year and has a fair bit of Super League experience so he is ready to go" Let's hope Mike makes a similar impact to our other loan player Shaun Ainscough. ]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=578 The fourth round of the Challenge Cup took place today, with Super League clubs included in the bag for the first time. As it turned out the Tigers were drawn against Barrow which means a welcome return to the Jungle for one or two former Cas favourites. Ned Catic, Michael Knowles, Richard Fletcher and our old captain Andrew Henderson are all currently plying their trade for the Cumbrian outfit and all are bound to be looking forward to a trip to their old stomping ground. Cas fans will be happy to see the old lads and particularly pleased to see Hendo back darn t'Lane. The game will take place on the weekend of 17/18 April. For the full fourth round draw, click on 'Read More',,,]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=577 It goes from bad to worse on the Tigers injury roster, with news emerging today that Paul Jackson could be out for up to a month after picking up a groin industry at the KC Stadium on Friday. The ever present so far Jacko joins a growing long term injury list which also includes key squad members Dean Widders, Richard Owen and Brett Ferres. On the up side, at least we're hearing that Kirk Dixon came through his return from the sidelines relatively unscathed, while Joe Westerman (who was withdrawn at the 11th hour last weekend with a knee infection) should be okay for a return this week in France. In other news, while pretty much every game this year seems to be peppered with high tackles, late hits and cheap shots on our players, it beggars belief to hear that Rangi Chase has been formally cautioned by the RFL this week for a throw tackle during the Hull game. He now joins both Joe and Goldy in picking up some kind of reprimand from Red Hall, the same place people like Carvell and Morley walk away from with impunity. Good eh?]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=576 A ten minute, three try, second half spell from the home side tonight put paid to Cas' challenge and extended our losing run to four games. And to be honest that's a depressing statistic which has taken the gloss well and truly off our opening night win at Leeds. Going in at 12 apiece on the break Cas has definite chances to remain competitive in the match, but just minutes into the second half FC kicked into gear and killed off any doubt with three devastating scores, all converted by the flawless boot of Mr Tickle. It broke Cas' back and despite us subsequently grabbing a couple ouselves the result was never in doubt from that point on. So another confidence shattering defeat, this time by 42-22, and once again more questions than answers... Why no Joe? What's the deal behind the scenes with Shifty? And just what the hell is Terry saying to them at half time? Click HERE for Delboy's match report and all the gory Gameday details...]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=575 Former FC man Kirk Dixon is set to make his 2010 debut for the Tigers against the Black and Whites this weekend, after being named by Terry Matterson in the Tigers nineteen. However, there's no place for Brett Ferres who has become the latest addition to the Tigers' growing injury list after damaging his shoulder against KR last week. Ferres now needs surgery and is set to be sidelined for up to three months. Marvellous... Meanwhile, we won't be seeing Sean Long in a Hull shirt this weekend either. He sat out their win over Quins last weekend and continues to be rested this week, but despite that the Codheads still look a pretty formidable outfit. It'll be another tough one for Cas, that's for sure... Hull FC 19: Berrigan, T Briscoe, Calderwood, Cusack, Dowes, Fitzgibbon, Hall, Horne, Houghton, Lauaki, Manu, O’Meley, Radford, Tansey, Tickle, Turner, Washbrook, Whiting, Yeaman. Tigers 19: Dixon, Shenton, Evans, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Hudson, Huby, Snitch, Westerman, Jones, Higgins, Jackson, Clayton, Massey, Davies, McGoldrick, Ainscough. ]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=574 A debut hat-trick of tries from a very impressive Shaun Ainscough still wasn't enough for Cas to secure a televised win tonight. Instead (as with pretty much any game he's involved in) all the talking points revolved around Steve "look at me" Ganson who saw relegation to to the video booth as a mere challenge to be overcome. Okay, we didn't get his ugly mug on screen, but he certainly made his mark by allowing the most ridiculous effort to stand late in the game. Hull KR simply could not believe their luck... they must have paid him a sodding fortune for that one. Conversely, after Wire and now tonight it's clear Cas just can't buy a break this season and if we're to win anything at all it's looking like it'll have to be despite the officials. Any positives? Well Ainscough could be a real gem for us on tonight's show, the whole team tried to the very end and finally the cynical attack on Shifty in the first minute didn't actually put him in a wheelchair. Apart from that it was another depressing night for us. Catch Delboy's match report and our Gameday summary right HERE.]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=573 The nineteens are out for the visit of Hull KR tomorrow and, as expected, Castleford's newest Tiger Shaun Ainscough is set to make his debut. Perhaps less obvious though, one of our oldest Tigers Brent Sherwin is also named, despite missing out last week with either a 'rest' or an 'injury' , depending on which report you happened to read. Of course Shifty could be named as a red herring, forcing Justin Morgan's KR to prepare for our first choice half back pairing, but if he does play it can only be a boon for the Tigers so here's hoping. TIGERS 19 : Shenton, Evans, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Hudson, Huby, Ferres, Snitch, Westerman, Jones, Higgins, Jackson, Clayton, Netherton, Thompson, McGoldrick, Ainscough. ROBINS 19 : Briscoe, Fox, Welham, Webster, Colbon, Dobson, Lovegrove, Murrell, Wheeldon, Newton, Cook, Netherton, Fisher, I'Anson, Vella, Hodgson, Watts, Cockayne, Clinton. ]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=572 With three key players already out long term, the Tigers have this week secured the temporary services of Wigan's Shaun Ainscough on a one month loan deal. Terry Matterson has moved in for the 20 year old winger as cover for the injured Richie Owen until (hopefully) Kirk Dixon gets himself back to strength. "It's a good move for me joining Castleford" said Shaun. "I'm really pleased to be back in Super League and can't wait for the game at the weekend. Obviously I had a chance at this level last season but then I missed out for the last couple of months so I have wanted to get back into playing in the top flight for a while. I'm looking forward to meeting the guys tomorrow and hope to take this chance to show what I can do in Super League." Ainscough is set to make his debut on Saturday vs Hull KR.]]> http://www.ayberspace.co.uk/ayberspace/php-files/news.php?readmore=571 Despite the rumoured loss of Brent Sherwin this week, Cas went over to Catalogue Crater this evening hopeful of getting the season back on the right track with a win. But in the end it turned into a night to completely forget. Not only were we missing Shifty, but the re-jigged team somehow (mystifyingly) found Steve Snitch making up the numbers in the halves even though Goldy was available for the gig himself. The end product was a Cas side which didn't seem to know what the hell was going on and within minutes Bradford had secured a lead they would never relinquish. To cap it all, Richie Owen was stretchered off early in the second half with what would prove to be a broken left leg. Another crucial injury that Cas can ill-afford, but at least it put a little perspective on the garbage performance. It finished 41-22 to the home side. Our Gameday page HERE has all the details, plus Del's full match report now online.]]>