Castleford Tigers romped to a 48-0 victory against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop yesterday in booking their play-off spot, thanks to a hat-trick of tries by Joe Westerman.
“I felt for Quins. It happened to us three weeks ago against Leeds,” Terry Matterson, the Castleford coach, recalling a club record 76-12 loss to Leeds Rhinos, said. “I concentrate on performance and you’re usually not too far away from a result if you do that. To go into the play-offs with one game remaining is pretty pleasing.”
Harlequins’ hopes of a top-eight place were all but ended after only one win in their past ten games. Kirk Dixon (2), Dean Widders, Brett Ferres, Liam Higgins and Mitchell Sargent added the other tries. “I don’t know what’s gone wrong,” Brian McDermott, the Harlequins coach, said.
Catalans Dragons remain in pole position for the last play-off spot, although defeat away to St Helens on Friday would open the door for one of Bradford Bulls, Warrington Wolves or Harlequins.
A scan today is likely to confirm that Kevin Sinfield, the Leeds captain, will miss the rest of the season with a fractured cheekbone.