Sat 17 Jul: Challenge Cup Final: Castleford Tigers v St Helens KO 15:00 (BBC TV)

[wilsontown]

Just now, GeordieSaint said:

Kier Starmer at the game. Got my vote now.

Oxford will be reyt annoyed.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

Just now, GeordieSaint said:

Kier Starmer at the game. Got my vote now.

That tour he had round Mount Pleasant and that Batley shirt he was given must have given him an appetite for the game, doesn't take much to fall in love with this sport! 

[Rupert Prince]

I think the commentators are doing a fair job.

[GeordieSaint]

Cheap shot by Watts on Paasi. Think we are even on poor decisions now (Percival high tackle earlier).

[DavidM]

This game shows again we have the best conditioned athletes around 

[GeordieSaint]

Just now, DavidM said:

This game shows again we have the best conditioned athletes around 

They’ll be in pieces beyond 60mins. Awesome effort from all of them. This is breathless and fast.

[Cheshire Setter]

2 minutes ago, GeordieSaint said:

Kier Starmer at the game. Got my vote now.

Taking notes on how a good underdog leader can hopefully get a weaker bunch to win? 

[bratman]

Cas have been excellent, really putting pressure on Saints through their defence.

[snapski]

Milner dropped a huge one there

[Futtocks]

Half time - I don't know about the rest of you, but I need a lie-down!

[Oxford]

Boooo! Booo!

Cracking match!

[GeordieSaint]

1 minute ago, bratman said:

Cas have been excellent, really putting pressure on Saints through their defence.

And fast ball movement. Well played Cas so far. Think some of our forwards need a rocket up them… and Lomax/Fages.

[Waynebennettswinger]

Great game so far, worthy of a final. Saints really need to play with more patience, Cas deserve their lead for taking their chances so well. 
 

Another 40 like that please!

[The Magic Rat]

Cas by far the more dangerous team with the ball. Don't know if Saints have the attacking game to stay with them. 

[northamptoncougar]

Absolutely awesome 

[Wollo Wollo Wayoo]

Hectic stuff.  Saints glad of that half time hooter I'll bet but they need to get up off that knee for the 2nd half. 

[Rupert Prince]

Yes, a great pass from McShane for 1st try.  That's a good hooker. 

[ckn]

Thoroughly enjoying this as a game. It demonstrates just why we need the BBC to get these out rather than behind the paywall of Sky. I don't mind Sky providing the bulk of the money and the core of the league game, but these cup games on free-to-view can't be beaten.

[Roy Haggerty]

It would require a huge turnaround of skill by Saints to come back in this. They are totally dominated at the moment, and have given no indication that they have any attack beyond 5 drives and a kick. 

[Davo5]

1 minute ago, Roy Haggerty said:

It would require a huge turnaround of skill by Saints to come back in this. They are totally dominated at the moment, and have given no indication that they have any attack beyond 5 drives and a kick. 

Your only 6 points behind

[Cheshire Setter]

Just now, Roy Haggerty said:

It would require a huge turnaround of skill by Saints to come back in this. They are totally dominated at the moment, and have given no indication that they have any attack beyond 5 drives and a kick. 

I feel the opposite. I think Half-time came too soon for Cas and they’ll lose momentum now Saints have a chance to regather. A lot will depend on who scores first. If Saints do they’ll run away with it IMO, whereas if Cas score first they’ll squeeze a narrow victory.

[Rupert Prince]

1 minute ago, Roy Haggerty said:

It would require a huge turnaround of skill by Saints to come back in this. They are totally dominated at the moment, and have given no indication that they have any attack beyond 5 drives and a kick. 

Cas helped them by giving earlier errors.  But from the moment they got their first try they kept on the front foot and Saints then dropped the ball and off sides.

Saints will play out wide more in the 2nd.

[snapski]

Been a fabulous 40 minutes in intense heat. Can we please not call whoever loses chokers. Hate that term and takes 2 teams for a game.

[Roy Haggerty]

1 minute ago, Cheshire Setter said:

I feel the opposite. I think Half-time came too soon for Cas and they’ll lose momentum now Saints have a chance to regather. A lot will depend on who scores first. If Saints do they’ll run away with it IMO, whereas if Cas score first they’ll squeeze a narrow victory.

It certainly saved Saints from conceding what would probably be the match-winning try. 
 

But Saints’ attack is not good. Our wins have been based on dominant defence, territory and taking and holding leads. Scoring against good defences, and coming from behind are not features of Saints this year. 

 

Im struggling to see Saints getting two scores. This performance is reminding me of the scoreless loss to Warrington. 

[Dunbar]

I would still pick Saints in this. They have the personnel to get a roll on.