LYNCH BID TO END 25 YEARS OF CAS HURT

RUGBY LEAGUE

ANDY LYNCH might now be second on Super League’s record appearances list – but even he wasn’t playing the last time Castleford won a competitive game at St Helens.

The 37-year-old moved 14 games behind all-time leader Kevin Sinfield in Friday’s win over Wakefield, having played 440 times since his 1999 debut.

But the Tigers have never won away at Saints in the summer era – and you have to go back to December 1992 for a Regal Trophy win at the old Knowsley Road.

Lynch said: “We were aware of that stat last year when we went to St Helens.

“What has been nice has been to go there in pre-season and win, although we know that doesn’t count!

“It is in the back of our heads we can do it though, even though they’re a tough team, especially at home.

“They had a big local derby against Wigan on Friday as we did with Wakefield, and there will be two tired teams out there.

“It will come down to which team looks after the ball best and has the highest completion rate.”

Completion rates and stats have not always been at the top of the Tigers’ priorities as they’ve raced to the top of Super League playing a thrilling brand of rugby, their latest success a 42-24 win against Wakefield. And front-rower Lynch (above), who has yet to make a decision on his own future beyond the end of the season, has warned rivals there’s more to come.

Lynch added: “We haven’t had an 80-minute performance yet. We’ve either been scratchy at the start or the finish like we were against Wakefield.

“We don’t want to concede any more than 14 points a game, so that’s why we were disappointed with the Wakefield game when they finished with 24.

“We’ve improved our defence this year but we are still looking to tweak things.”