Plus One.
The last 5 minutes of the 1st half & the 1st 10 minutes of the 2nd half we were having to defend for our lives but other than that we ran the game and were very worthy winners.
Ratch, Ryan, Richie, Trent & Hilly were all awesome.

Much as I like Matty & think he is a start of the future, I think Ratch should deffo be FB next week.

I saw the same one as you.

See you all at the DW next week, should be a cracker !

I thought we were good tonight, I felt that when it was 10-12 they didn't deserve to be within 2 points of us really. The try engineered by ratchford and supported brilliantly by Ritchie and gaz o Brian was just sheer class. From then on we were comfortable again.

Ritchie, Atkins (again) Joel Monas and Myler were my picks for our stars on the night. Wood was awful, has been all season I would have liked to see Ben Evans in the side tonight.

We were lucky with a couple of decisions no doubt, but, I can't agree that we looked like we didn't want it in any part of the game Some great performances Ratchford, Atkins especially even Roy had a go.

My guess is we will be patched up and sent to Wigan bit of a worry for me seeing Laithwaite heavily bandaged arm and Monaghan J limping off at the end, added to Bridge being less than 100% not ideal down that side if it's serious

Great Result

Good luck in the semi, I think it will be you and Wigan in the final. Our decision to go with just 3 forwards on the bench was a killer when Massey went of injured so early. I thought a lot of 50/50 decisions went your way but I wouldn't have argued if Weller had got at least 10 minutes for the high shot. God knows how Joel hasn't got in the dream team, best finisher bar none and always seems very sportsmanlike as well. Roll on next season.

Cheers, although I think Bentham had a fair game really, not sure he got too much wrong. The Shenton call was 50/50 as they usually go in favour of the defender but it was definitely the right call.

For what it's worth I think cas have been a breath of fresh air in the competition this season, superb entertaining rugby for the vast majority of the regular season in league and cup. You got a well deserved challenge cup final appearance and were 1 last day victory away from winning the shield although let's remember that finishing 4th is an achievement in itself. Don't let the memory of recent weeks spoil what will hopefully be a breakthrough season for you guys your team must have had you daring to believe in silverware in 2014 and I bet none of you saw that in February. Well done Cas.

Cheers for that and I must agree re decisions, although we don't normally seem to get the benefit. FWIW I think Saints will send us to Wigan and it will be business as usual with the ref and we might be a bit too patched up to reach OT, but, we've a chance.

Plenty of good wishes from your fans leaving the ground tonight so fair play. Good luck next year undoubtedly Cas have had a great season and played some fine RL

Ratchford (for me) always has, and always will be a full back. His best position by far. I'd like to see Russell at 13. Running onto balls and hitting holes in the defense.

Are you sure? Russell into a forward?

Yes quite sure. Not straight away obviously but with Wigan's strength and conditioning coach coming on board we could easily have him at that level.

Plus, Ratch isn't massive but look how he plays from loose.

Joel Monaghan should have been in the dream team definately. He'd look good in a Cas shirt.

I have attempted to get up early and try and drown my hangover with coffee, I can tell you that it hasn't worked but it has given me chance to watch the match again. The main difference was (imo) Chris Hill who made yard after yard every time he had the ball in his hand and Joel who doesn't need a second invite to get over the line. I feel a special mention has to go to two reffing howlers, Having just got back to 12 10 the 2 penalties you got one for a blatant knock on at the play the ball from a very poor Paul Wood and the other for a non existent ball steal from Shenton. I firmly believe that had these two offences been punished correctly then it could have been a totally different story. Having said all that and having a bit of a moan(justified I think) you went on and showed some real class. The ball from Ratchford for O'Brian's try was pure class and the finish from Rhys Evans was equally impressive as his mate on the other wing.

I genuinely wish you good luck next week, Your fans were a credit to your club last night travelled in good numbers for a Thursday night and were very vocal. Look after our superstar next year we will miss him massively but I think he will kick on now and be a strong candidate to dethrone Roby over the coming years.

All the best.

Yes - I think we got more than our fair share of decisions and a couple of those led to tries.
But I also think that from the off we were restricting Cas in their go-forward whilst making good yards ourselves. Our goal-line defence was good too.
I thought that 10-12 flattered Cas and was alway pretty confident we'd pull away later on, and that's what happened.
Atkins was excellent.
Ratch played very well, Rhys ran hard and Joel took his tries again very well.
Hill was a real machine again.
Woody just tried too hard for me.

Onwards and upwards.

Atkins played like a man possessed effort wise almost to a point over over enthusiasm

Totally agree about Ratchford. Russell should be on the wing.

Atkins, Hill, J Monas, Ratch & Evans all brilliant last night. Myler had a good game too.

Not sure that Russell will actually be ready for selection next week, but was concerned last night about our bench cover for the backs when Joel M took a knock, how would we have coped had he gone off ?

I'd imagine we'd have put Bridge on the wing, Currie at centre, then put someone in Currie's forward position. Not ideal.

agree with all this mw. Firmly believe we will be away at Wigan and it might not work out for the wire. I will be there to cheer on the boys regardless

I'd give Russell the rest of the season off, to play it safe.

The Wood knock on and the ball steal decisions definitely went in our favour but the Cas fans afterwards were very gracious in defeat. Class club, hope they have another good season next year....gutted The Early Bath is no more though.

Ratchford could be the best number 13 in world rugby. Full back he is not.

Steady on

I'm casting my mind back to 1979-80 and my first season watching Wire, and the beautiful game.

I'm surrounded by speccies shouting and screaming for a crowd favourite and club hero, and I'm thinking to my 10 year old self "why are they shouting for this fella? he looks awful and makes too many mistakes.

And last night, after far too many years supporting us, another crowd favourite just looks out of his depth.

Step forward Mike Nicholas and Paul Wood. If we offer Wood another contract for next year, we (our board) need our heads testing. Wood is now a passenger, and it's PAINFUL to watch. He's a Wire great, but he's gone.

Thanks for all you've done for us, Woody. It's a sad day, but you just look lost.

Back on theme, that was a well ground out victory. No frills, and we looked like we've "kept a bit in the tank".

Onwards, Wire