Chester is relishing derby duel between inform pair
AS CASTLEFORD Tigers bid to tighten their grip at the top of Super League today, one of their iconic players will also strengthen his hold on a significant personal milestone.
Prop Andy Lynch will play his 440th Super League game when they host Wakefield Trinity this afternoon, moving clear of St Helens legend Paul Wellens to stand alone in second place in the competition’s list of all-time record appearances.
The only man above him is Kevin Sinfield, who rounded off his glittering career for Leeds Rhinos with a Grand Final win in his 454th Super League outing.
Although he has still to confirm his plans yet, this is likely to be 37-year-old Lynch’s final season before retiring but, a quick calculation reveals he could, in theory, eclipse the former England captain before the campaign ends.
However, the veteran frontrow, who debuted for Castleford in 1999 before returning after excellent stints with Bradford Bulls and Hull FC, has been left out of the last two games for the leaders so he knows he is not guaranteed anything at the moment.
Firstly, though, what a remarkable achievement to reach such a gargantuan number in such a competitive arena?
Lynch, who has seen off former colleagues such as Jamie Peacock, Leon Pryce and Lee Gilmour in the top ten plus greats like Rob Burrow and Keith Senior, told “It is really, when you think about it.
“I’ve just been taking one game at a time really to try and keep it going. I try to play well week in, week out and if I can do that I’ll keep playing.
“We’ll see how things go but it’s great to know I’ll actually do this on Friday and pass someone of the quality of Paul Wellens.
“There’s still a long way to go before getting top spot. There’ll be 14 games after Wakefield to do it. And that’s down to me then.
“It is one thing I had my eye on at the start of the year but things don’t always work out so you just have to keep working hard, keep your head down and hopefully I can get that number.
“There’s plenty of games to do that so we’ll see.”
It was a surprise to some that Lynch, such a fulcrum of Castleford’s side since re-joining in 2014, was left out for the wins over Huddersfield Giants and at champions Wigan Warriors.
However, it is a sign of Tigers’ current prosperity under head coach Daryl Powell; Lynch played much of last season ‘busted’ given the injury crisis at Wheldon Road but now they are blessed with numbers and have won seven of their eight games so far.
Powell can afford to leave out the former Great Britain international knowing the likes of Matt Cook, Gadwin Springer, Grant Millington, Junior Moors, Jesse Sene-Lefao and Nathan Massey can all seamlessly slot into the club’s engine room.
“When I spoke to him it was always in his plans to not play me in these last two games,” said Lynch, who returns with Millington this afternoon.
“I suppose it’s only good that he can have that option now – we’ve got a near-enough fully-fit squad so you’ll probably find over Easter that there will be others player who will be rotated.
“It can only benefit the team the more players we have fresh on matchday. We have a big month coming up. It is common sense. You can’t be selfish and have got to do what is ever best for the team. So, if it’s a case of resting or someone else playing – not just me but everyone else as well – and we can share the workload throughout the year we’ll have a much fresher squad towards the back end and the Super 8s.
“I have had a couple of weeks rest now so I’m all refreshed and ready to go again.
“It’s exciting and there’s no better way to do it than coming back in for a local derby against Wakey.
“They are going really well at the moment and won five out of the last six so will be confident of coming to Cas and getting a win.
“We have got to be on form and play for a full 80 minute performance, too.”
If they do, it will only further enhance the growing belief Castleford can go on to win a first-ever Championship this season.
That would be a perfect sendoff for Lynch, with or without that personal goal, and even if he has to miss out again along the way. WAKEFIELD TRINITY coach Chris Chester cannot remember a time when they and derby rivals Castleford Tigers met with both sides in such good form.
The most famous meetings of the summer era were the 2004 and 2006 relegation deciders which Trinity won both times.
However, they renew hostilities again at Wheldon Road with Castleford top of Super League and Wakefield just four points adrift after winning five of their last six games.
“The one real derby I think of back when I was a supporter that I really, really enjoyed was when Ronnie Gibbs got knocked out down here (Belle Vue),” said Wakefield-born Chester, about Castleford’s robust Australian second-row nicknamed ‘Rambo’.
“I think that was around 1990 and there was two really good sides back then. Cas had John Joyner, Dave Plange and Lee Crooks, those types of guys, and we had some really tough people like Chris Mortimer.
“They stick out as some really good derby games but I can’t really think of one where both sides have been in such good form as they are now.
“There was also a game when it was snowing down here and we were throwing snowballs at Tony Marchant on the right wing!
“I’ve some really fond memories of derbies and this one will be very special, too.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play in the Hull v Hull KR derby which is a great occasion where every person in that city goes to watch it or listens in on the radio.
“It’s very similar to these Wakefield/Cas derbies and I can’t wait for it. The boys are really excited as well and the fans; they keep stopping me in the street.”
But prolific Castleford have won seven of their eight games so far and also won their last five games against Trinity, each time scoring more than 40 points.
Chester, who confirmed prop Anthony England would return following foot surgery, said: “We have to put pressure on their halves and their kicking game.
“We must front up defensively as they’re the best side in the comp’ at the moment. But we’re going well, too.”
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