Holmes earns new Castleford deal

Castleford back-rower Oliver Holmes has signed a new two-year contract extension with the club.

Holmes, 21, was out of contract at the end of the season, but is now committed until the end of 2016.

He said: “I’m happy with how I’m playing and that shows by being rewarded with the new contract. Daryl Powell has shown a bit of faith in me as I’ve started all but one of the games this year. There are still bits of my game that I’m looking to improve and that’s what I’ll be working on in training.

“It’s the first time I’ve been in the situation where I’m playing in the last year of my contract. There was a bit of pressure on because I knew that I had to play well otherwise the club might not renew my contract, but I was always confident that I could perform well and earn the new deal.  

“I wanted to get some good games under my belt at the start of the season and try and get a new deal sorted, so it’s all good that it’s happened now.”

Holmes won the Tigers’ Young Player of the Year award last season, and has scored two tries in nine appearances in 2014 to date.

He made his debut as a 17-year-old against Huddersfield back in April 2010, the first of 73 league appearances he has made since graduating from the Tigers academy.

Coach Daryl Powell said: “I am delighted that an outstanding young player who has risen through the club’s development system has decided that his future lies with the Tigers.

“Oliver is a quality player and individual whose game is growing consistently and will continue to do so as he works so hard at his game.

“We saw his value to the team in a tough game versus St Helens last weekend and I’m looking forward to helping him develop his ability in the coming seasons.”