EDEN OUT TO MAKE HISTORY
Castleford winger set to challenge Solomona try-scoring record
WHEN Denny Solomona scored a club record 42 tries for Castleford Tigers last season, few people would have envisaged it ever being surpassed.
It was the greatest number of tries any of their players had amassed in one campaign since their inception in 1926 and it had already taken 22 years to beat the previous best of 40 set by fellow winger St John Ellis.
Solomona, possibly, could have overhauled his own total at some point in the future but we will never know as, within weeks, he had walked out of the club to set up his controversial move to Sale.
Nevertheless, just a few months on and the Aucklander’s less-hyped replacement is quietly setting about his own bid to rewrite history.
Greg Eden scored his third hattrick of the season as the Super League leaders defeated Leeds Rhinos 29-18 in the final game of Magic Weekend on Sunday.
It took him to 18 tries in the competition, where he is the leading scorer, but 21 overall as the former Huddersfield Giants star had also claimed a hat-trick the week before in the Challenge Cup win over St Helens.
With 21 tries in just 15 games, Eden is certainly enjoying a prolific spell and, indeed, is right on course to at least draw level with Solomona’s record – his 42 tries came from 29 appearances.
To hypothesise, at his current rate, Castleford’s signing from Brisbane Broncos would reach that figure in 30 games.
If he stays fit, there are at least 15 fixtures remaining for Tigers, which would take Eden to 30 matches, but they could play as many as 19 more matches if Daryl Powell’s free-flowing side reach both Wembley and Old Trafford.
Last year, it took just one game less for Solomona to reach Eden’s current total, claiming his 21st and 22nd tries of the season in his 14th outing against Wigan on May 26, so there are clear comparisons to be made.
For now, though, the 26-yearold is simply enjoying his rich vein of form and Castleford’s irresistible play.
He hailed his team-mates for their creativity in Newcastle, including centre Michael Shenton, whose brilliant pass behind his back set up the second of Eden’s treble.
“It’s credit to Shenny’s skill and Galey’s (Luke Gale’s) eyes to look up and see where I am and they all came in the second half again just like against Saints,” he said of his 18-minute triple blast.
“I think it was down to those two guys rather than myself.
“It is awesome playing outside Shenny; it’s a joy and I am learning a lot as well. I reckon he’s set up three-quarters of my tries so far this year.
“But that’s what wingers are here to do – score – and if players keep providing me with them like that then I will be happy and keep on finishing them off.”
Eden was unlucky not to cross in the first half following an amazing effort from inside his own half which, ironically, was ruled out by video referee Ben Thaler due to Shenton’s obstruction.
“It was a pretty classy try, the one that got chalked off,” he added. “It was touch and go, but it was a pretty good one and it defines how we play.”
For all that illustrated their dazzling attacking style, Castleford also demonstrated their toughness and durability once more, having been level 6-6 at the break but then turning the screw against their derby rivals.
“It was a good sign for us,” said Eden, as they went two points clear of Salford Red Devils at the top.
“The first half was really intense. It was like a final, but we pulled away from them in the second half and if we can keep doing that – pulling away from tight games like that – I think we’ll be going in the right direction.”
Castleford, of course, have never won a league title but remain in fine fettle heading towards the Super 8s and with a Challenge Cup quarter-final to come at Hull FC next month, too.
Hull FC have agreed to release winger Mahe Fonua from the last season of his three-year contract for family reasons.
The 24-year-old former Melbourne player will return to Australia with his wife Christine at the end of the season and is expected to join Sydney club Wests Tigers.
Hull coach Lee Radford said: “We are obviously disappointed to lose a player of Mahe’s quality but we completely understand his reasons for returning home.
“It is not the way of our club to stand in the way of a player in these circumstances and Mahe and his family will leave with our blessing and best wishes.
“He arrived as a bit of an unknown quantity to many people but leaves us having made a real impression on the club and the competition.”
Catalans Dragons have sacked head coach Laurent Frayssinous after the 18-10 Magic Weekend defeat against struggling Huddersfield Giants represented a fifth straight loss.
Newcastle Thunder have sacked coach Mick Mantelli.