Referee: Tim Roby (York)

He's not a bad referee if I may say so and for those that watch the Thursday night Championship/Championship games he was the young referee who took charge of the Hunslet vs Workington game.

Give him time, you can't expect him to attain the required level of incompetence overnight!

I doubt he'll become a James Child or Steve Ganson.

It'll depend on three things as to if I go or not.

One is the price of the ticket.

Two is the squad that's put out which is also dependant on the ticket price as I'm not really keen on paying close to a full SL entrance price if it's just going to be the academy lads.

And three is the state that I'm in following Xmas day

Tickets are £13 for adults and £6 for kids.

[url=http://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news/5025/TICKETS%20ON%20SALE%20FOR%20BOXING%20DAY%20CLASHClicky[/url

Bit steep for a friendly. I don't understand clubs charging any more than a tenner for friendlies, although I suppose they have to cover their costs.

Regardless, I'll be going providing I'm in a fit enough state to drive that morning.

I'm hoping to get to all 4 friendlies this year, but if someone charges daft prices like Wakefield tried last year, I may change my mind. Cas are only getting away with that because it's our first game and I'm desperate for a match.

In fairness to Cas, they will be having to pay premium prices to get stewards and other staff in...who will have to turn up regardless of how much they had to drink the day before. I think paying a bit more for boxing day is understandable?

Aye, that's fair point that I'd not thought about.

And that extra bit of quality that only Castleford provides.

£13 is very reasonable IMO.

Wakefield charged £15 back in 2008.

And that was the sole reason I didn't go.

£15 was taking the p*ss for a friendly and I refused to pay it.

I can see your point as under 2,000 turned up.

I think that's the most I would ever pay for a pre-season game.

Just eight days to go and does anyone think we maybe struggling to get this game on?

doubt we're struggling at all as all the responsibilty for getting the game on is castlefords



know what you mean though and suspect it will depend to a large extent on the weather. This is one occasion where no-one wants a white xmas.

Well last year was a bit of a problem as the time changed more than once and there was rumours the game would be called off due to the snow. in fact there was still a large amount of snow on the sides of the pitch

This time next week I'll have just watched Bradford win by 46 points to 18 and the new era of Mick Potter underway.

COME ON YOU BULLS!!!!!!

Last year, one half of the pitch was pretty much still covered in snow. I got there half hour before the rearranged kick off and couldn't believe they were playing on it. Wouldn't have liked to have been out on the pitch being tackled in that!

Game is no longer at The Jungle.

It's now at the PROBIZ Coliseum!

[url=http://www.castigers.com/article.php?id=1176CLICKY[/url

that website displays horrible in firefox.

Yeah I have the same. Have to highlight all the text in order to read it.

Poor web design really to not test it with one of the two most popular browsers around.

Winning a friendly isn't going to make my xmas Mick, and losing one certainly isn't going to spoil it either!chillpill.gif

The Castleford supporters seem to think that this game will now take place on New Years Day with a 3pm kick-off as it's looking like that the freezing temperatures won't improve to allow the pitch to thaw out.

What is the obsession with having it on traditional hangover days?!?!?

I was just thinking that mate.

I'll be a right drunk mess on the 1st January as I'm sure everyone else will be.

Widnes vs Warrington has already been called and I suspect we'll be seeing this called off within the next 24 hours.

Anyone know what the weather will be like next weekend?

Castleford Tigers can confirm that the Boxing Day Challenge clash with Bradford Bulls remains on despite freezing temperatures.

Tigers chief executive Richard Wright said:

"Our team of ground staff are working all out here at the PROBIZ Coliseum to try and ensure Sunday's game is on.

"The pitch is visibly thawing out under the sunlight and measures are being taken to make the pitch be in playable condition for Sunday.

"Safety is paramount and we also have staff working hard to make sure the terracing and walkways remain safe for supporters.

"I will inspect the pitch again tomorrow so watch this space."