From www.superleague.co.uk:
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats coach John Kear hailed a "magnificent" effort after his side completed a great escape to secure engage Super League survival.
The Wildcats, favourites for the drop when Kear took charge two months ago, maintained their top-flight status by beating Castleford Tigers 29-17 at Belle Vue to condemn their neighbours to the drop.
"It’s just been a great two months," said Kear. "The players have responded magnificently. They just kept getting better and better on the practice field and it’s shown with how they’ve performed.
"I’m absolutely delighted for them and for the board of directors, who have backed us to the hilt. It’s a marvellous night.
"We set ourselves a target of four wins out of six and it’s mission impossible achieved."
Kear, a former Castleford player, was quick to express his sympathy for his counterpart Terry Matterson.
"I feel desperately sorry for Terry Matterson, who I feel has done a great job for Castleford," he said.
"They’ve brought a lot to Super League and it’s a shame."
Wildcats captain Monty Betham also offered sympathy for the Tigers, who had largely acquitted themselves well following last year’s promotion.
At one stage Castleford had been considered an outside bet for a play-off position and, with 19 points, they still finished three points above bottom side Catalans Dragons.
Betham told Sky Sports: "It was similar to last week (in the 26-16 defeat to Salford City Reds). We made a poor start but we soaked up the pressure and came back into it.
"The Tigers have been great this year and they are going down on 19, that is very hard.
"Congratulations to everyone at Wakefield Trinity but we really feel for the Tigers."
Matterson felt relegation was rough justice on his team, who were only sunk by two tries in the last 15 minutes from Kevin Henderson and James Evans.
"We don’t deserve to go down, not on 19 points," added Matterson. "But that’s the way it is.
"It’s been a massive roller-coaster of a year and a massive learning curve. I feel I’m a lot better coach than I was.
"It’s just disappointing. That’s the tragedy of promotion and relegation.
"The players’ effort was outstanding but our execution wasn’t great and the opposition deserved their win on the day."
It was a disappointing end to captain Danny Nutley’s career with the Tigers, as the influential Australian will be joining Sydney City Roosters next year.
Nutley said: "We made silly mistakes, a couple of penalties and they hurt you. In the end they did the better job.
"We clawed our way back in but then a couple of silly things and it got away again.
"It is disappointing for the Castleford fans, they are very supportive of their team and they are a great bunch.
"It hasn’t hit home yet. It’s disappointing – I can’t say anything else."
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats coach John Kear hailed a "magnificent" effort after his side completed a great escape to secure engage Super League survival.
The Wildcats, favourites for the drop when Kear took charge two months ago, maintained their top-flight status by beating Castleford Tigers 29-17 at Belle Vue to condemn their neighbours to the drop.
"It’s just been a great two months," said Kear. "The players have responded magnificently. They just kept getting better and better on the practice field and it’s shown with how they’ve performed.
"I’m absolutely delighted for them and for the board of directors, who have backed us to the hilt. It’s a marvellous night.
"We set ourselves a target of four wins out of six and it’s mission impossible achieved."
Kear, a former Castleford player, was quick to express his sympathy for his counterpart Terry Matterson.
"I feel desperately sorry for Terry Matterson, who I feel has done a great job for Castleford," he said.
"They’ve brought a lot to Super League and it’s a shame."
Wildcats captain Monty Betham also offered sympathy for the Tigers, who had largely acquitted themselves well following last year’s promotion.
At one stage Castleford had been considered an outside bet for a play-off position and, with 19 points, they still finished three points above bottom side Catalans Dragons.
Betham told Sky Sports: "It was similar to last week (in the 26-16 defeat to Salford City Reds). We made a poor start but we soaked up the pressure and came back into it.
"The Tigers have been great this year and they are going down on 19, that is very hard.
"Congratulations to everyone at Wakefield Trinity but we really feel for the Tigers."
Matterson felt relegation was rough justice on his team, who were only sunk by two tries in the last 15 minutes from Kevin Henderson and James Evans.
"We don’t deserve to go down, not on 19 points," added Matterson. "But that’s the way it is.
"It’s been a massive roller-coaster of a year and a massive learning curve. I feel I’m a lot better coach than I was.
"It’s just disappointing. That’s the tragedy of promotion and relegation.
"The players’ effort was outstanding but our execution wasn’t great and the opposition deserved their win on the day."
It was a disappointing end to captain Danny Nutley’s career with the Tigers, as the influential Australian will be joining Sydney City Roosters next year.
Nutley said: "We made silly mistakes, a couple of penalties and they hurt you. In the end they did the better job.
"We clawed our way back in but then a couple of silly things and it got away again.
"It is disappointing for the Castleford fans, they are very supportive of their team and they are a great bunch.
"It hasn’t hit home yet. It’s disappointing – I can’t say anything else."
Now where does that leave Awen!? Searching for another ESL club or coming back to the NRL? :?
