Castleford began this season's, Yorkshire Three campaign, a week late. Their first game, away at Skipton was forfeited because the majority of their 1XV were in Newcastle, celebrating a stag weekend.
Castleford welcomed Thornensians to Willowbridge Lane. The visitors had lost their opening game, and were immediately on the back foot, conceding a penalty from the kick-off. Outside half, Ian Mattison, slotted the forty-metre penalty.
Scrum half, Ben Mayes, making his 1XV debut, was on hand, winning the race to the try-line, following a slick, cross-field transfer and a pin-point kick through from second rower, Steve Parkinson. Mattison's conversion attempt just shaved the outside of the posts.
Thornensians stuck to the task and after sustained pressure close to the home line, were rewarded with a well taken, side-of-the-posts score by full back, Tom Amber. Centre, Dec Cook, converted to bring the visitors to within a single point.
Cook added a further penalty to edge the visitors in front. However, within three minutes, a powerful forward thrust from second rower, Gareth Grant Mills and skipper, Jamie Owens, was finished off by Mickey Moor. Although Mattison narrowly failed with the conversion attempt he was successful with another penalty on the stroke of half-time to give Castleford a 15-10, half-time lead.
Early in the second half, Castleford full back, Mark Poppleton gathered a high kick and sprinted powerfully into the visitors' twenty-two. Mattison slotted the ensuing penalty. Cook responded with a penalty before Mattison made a game safe with a final penalty that skimmed over off the crossbar for the 21-13 victory.