Dorn counts costs of Castleford’s slow start

Castleford full-back Luke Dorn says the Tigers started their 2015 season too slowly but want to it end it on a high by beating Wigan this Friday night.

Castleford cannot make the top four as they sit six points behind fourth-placed St Helens. The Tigers got off to poor start to the year, with three straight losses to Wakefield, Catalans and St Helens, but fought back to eventually finish in fifth spot for the Super 8s.

Last week Castleford surprised Leeds with an impressive seven-point victory at Headingley.

The Tigers may not be able to reach Old Trafford this year, however, a win for them this Friday could stop Wigan claiming the League Leader’s Shield if Leeds fail to defeat Huddersfield.

Dorn inisisted that his team isn’t going to the DW Stadium to lie down and roll over.

“Although we can’t make the top four we have spoken about finishing the season how we intent to start next year,” he said.

“We want to affect the top four as much as possible and not just fade out of the season because we can’t make Old Trafford.

“Plus, you can’t go to Headingley and the DW without complete focus and commitment otherwise you will get embarrassed.”

Wigan fell to St Helens by four points last week at Langtree Park. The Warriors have not lost to Super League opposition on their own turf all season, with the sole defeat coming at the hands of the Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Challenge.

Wigan have a brilliant home record having won 13 from 13 at the DW Stadium in 2015.

Castleford are set on finishing the year on a positive note as they look to improve in 2016.

Dorn, who has bagged nine tries in 13 appearances, believes the Tigers can learn from this season and build from it.

“We are very disappointed not to be in the top four,” the 33-year-old admitted.

“We had a very good shot at it but just couldn’t get there. We probably started too slow and it cost us.”