TIGERS AIM FOR THE TOP

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DARYL POWELL insists Castleford will not let recent history jinx their 91-year wait for glory.

The Tigers will lift the League Leaders’ Shield tonight if they avoid defeat at home to close rivals Wakefield.

It will signal the biggest party in the club’s history, having never previously finished top of the pile. But Powell says he’s well aware that the Shield can derail teams – and he’s adamant it won’t happen to his men.

He said: “History is there to be made for us and we’ve waited 91 years as a club to be called the best team in the competition.

“But this is only the first part of the job. It is about moving forward now, building momentum and maintaining standards.”

Awesome

Only two of the previous six League Leaders’ Shield winners have gone on to win the Grand Final. But Powell is adamant his Tigers will not be happy unless they win both the Shield and the Super League title.

He said: “I do not see any significance in what has happened in recent years and records are there to be broken.

“It will be awesome to get the League Leaders this week in front of our fans, but we have spoken to the players about this just being the first part. We know what we want to achieve.”

The Shield brings with it £100,000 in prize money and a place in next year’s World Club Series.

And even if they don’t win it tonight, Cas are so far ahead and have such an impressive points difference that it’s only a matter of time.

Powell added: “We’re 10 points clear, so I do not see anyone reeling us in.”

Wakefield, who are in fourth, have prop Craig Huby back from injury and Mason Caton-Brown comes in for the injured Joe Arundel.

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