Wednesday 16 August 2017 15:42, UK
Phil Clarke casts his eyes over the Castleford Tigers in what could be a historic week for the club as they look to secure their first League Leaders Shield.
Tiger Town
The Castleford Rugby League Club have had some brilliant players in its history. Men like John Joyner, Alan Hardisty, Malcolm Reilly.
They've also had some charismatic and creative coaches, Derek Turner and Darryl Van de Velde but I don't think that they've ever had a team as good as the one that presently play for the town.
I know that they've been successful in the past, but they've never led the league like they do right now.
Every job has its perks, mine perhaps more than most. This week I sat down and watched all of the 138 tries that the Tigers have scored in the Betfred Super League and Super 8's. It was like being in 'rugby heaven'.
There was one occasion when the man behind the play-the-ball dived over from a metre out. All the rest were brilliant.
I'd been asked to select my favourite five tries scored by Castleford in 2017. It was harder than I'd imagined.
The speed and skill in most of the tries was what stood out. Some teams have quick players, others have skilful ones, but no other team in the UK are able to combine the two as well as Daryl Powell's men.
Every member of his squad seems to understand the principles of attacking play. They recognise opportunities quicker than their opponents, and react as though their lives depend on it.
From the full-back to the forwards, they all make an important contribution and after narrowing it down to a second round of 25, I've eventually been forced to select just five (you can see them below).
I feel as though I need to apologise for the ones that didn't make it, but I wanted to show the variety of tries that they've delighted their fans with and every neutral one as well.
Earlier today on Sky Sports News I was asked why the Tigers are so much better than the rest of Super League. Well it's a combination of a few things in my opinion.
They seem to have more skillful players who's passing skills are better than the rest.
They have the best full-Back in the competition.
Their squad has lots of players who were never first choice or first pick in the playground and they all have a point to prove.
Some of them appear to thrive in the environment that Daryl Powell has created and look as though they enjoy what they do more than other teams.
I'm guessing, but it looks as though their coaches have helped to make a painful job feel like fun. They're all willing to get their hands 'dirty'.
It's also true that some of the other teams have gone backwards.
Warrington and Wigan have under-achieved which has helped the Tigers. I'm not sure if Tigers worry, but they must be aware that the gap to their opponents is getting closer.
They scored 50 tries in their first seven Super League games, but only 27 in their last seven. Teams, like Wakefield, have shown that they can trouble them, but with Junior Moors set to return they'll get even stronger.
This week could be a historic one for the Castleford club and after the way they've played this season I'm so glad that I'll be there to see it.
