CAS, BANG WALLOPED BROWN’S TOUGH TASK
Saints were utterly destroyed by the Super League leaders but also let themselves down massively with their attitude.
They never looked up for the fight and new coach Justin Holbrook must wonder what the hell he has let himself in for.
He is expected to arrive in the country from Australia next week – in time for the Magic Weekend game against Hull at Newcastle – and faces a massive fight to lift a team whose confidence and morale look shattered.
Interim coach Lolesi said: “On behalf of the coaching staff I apologise to our fans who paid hard-earned money to come and watch that. It must be hard for them.”
When asked if he was embarrassed, he said: “It’s probably a good way to explain it.
“We have a group of men who need to stand up and do better for the club. We gave in, which is disappointing.
“When we were asked to play hard we went into our shells. We were not good enough at any level.”
Cas have scored a whopping 529 points in their 14 games this year – at an average of 38 points a match – and can rip any side apart.
Michael Shenton and Jake Webster (above) had already gone over in the early exchanges.
And had prop Grant Millington been awarded a try, the contest could have been over inside the first quarter but it was disallowed for a ball steal.
Centre Ryan Morgan gathered Matty Smith’s cross-field kick to touch down midway through the first half and second rower Zeb Ta’ai thought he had added another four minutes later only to be denied by the video referee. It was to prove HEADING BACK: Brown a crucial decision as, instead of being level at 10-10, Saints very quickly found themselves trailing 31-4. Tigers went for Saints’ throats in a ruthless eight-minute spell before half-time when they scored 21 unanswered points. Webster, Paul McShane, Greg Minikin and Nathan Massey all ripped in past some woeful defending. Saints needed a big start to the second half if they were to stop the Cas juggernaut. Instead they rolled over and allowed Greg Eden to score a hat-trick and Minikin to grab his second try with a 70-metre sprint to the line. Luke Gale, who played a part in five tries, kicked six goals from 10 attempts, as well as a drop goal, to deservedly be named as man of the match. Saints were far too soft a target and Lolesi said: “We are in a bit of a hole but if we look too far ahead we will end up at the wrong end of the table. “The fans are frustrated and I can feel for them, travelling all this way. It’s unacceptable but what’s important is we stick together.” Luke Douglas snatched a late Saints consolation but nothing could wipe the smile off Cas coach Daryl Powell’s face. He said: “Some of our play was exceptional. “We’ve got a really confident group of players who are enjoying what they are doing.” KEVIN BROWN has double pressure on him to shine in today’s Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Sixth Round.
Warrington’s England half-back, 32, is facing his old club Widnes for the first time since his departure last December.
And Vikings fans are sure to give him a tough time if they see any hint of weakness from a player they felt let them down by leaving. But Brown JULIE STOTT knows he also faces potential stress at Wolves if he does not perform with Harvey Livett, 20, snapping at his heels.
Livett filled in for Brown – who was on England duty – in the 40-18 win over St Helens and was superb.
He switches to the centres today to cover for injured Rhys Evans and was one of seven kids in the squad against Saints who came through the club’s academy – and coach Tony Smith is delighted.
He said: “It’s a big part of our philosophy to promote our local talent.”
Elsewhere today, two other Super League sides face part-timers with Leeds at home to Barrow and Wigan travelling to Swinton.