Rugby League: Castleford give tourists a push: Serdaris causes havoc

Castleford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Australia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

AUSTRALIA maintained their impressive tour record with another clear-cut win, although the side who approximates to their second string was given a good workout by opponents always willing to take them on at their own rapid-handling game.

The kick-off at Wheldon Road was delayed for 10 minutes to try to clear the long queues outside, but Australia still got off to their familiar flying start.

Within three minutes, Alan Langer enhanced his Test claims with a bullet pass to send Rod Wishart over on the left wing.

Wishart could not convert his own try, but he was on the mark when his Illawarra team-mate, Paul McGregor, crashed over from David Furner's pass eight minutes later.

Again the sheer speed and accuracy of Australia's passing was responsible, one exchange between Kevin Walters and Paul Harragon effectively sucking in the defence.

Castleford had chances through Richard Goddard and Richie Blackmore before they succeeded in hitting back. Tony Kemp's pass to Phil Eden on his debut was well up to Kangaroo standards.

Even with key players like Graham Steadman and Tawera Nikau missing, Castleford were playing better than any other side so far against the tourists but they were undermined by conceding two quick penalties near their own line, both of which Australia tapped and which eventually brought a try by Walters.

Castleford's creditable efforts were mocked further when Kemp's kick through unluckily hit Langer's boot, giving the Australian scrum-half the chance to kick through himself and score.

Castleford still had plenty to offer and Dean Sampson's neat inside ball laid on an early second- half try for Blackmore.

Only a timely dive on to a loose ball by Glenn Lazarus prevented a kick from the excellent Kemp producing another Castleford try.

But Australia, who brought on Ricky Stuart for Langer in a prearranged half-time substitution, reasserted themselves when their hooker, Jim Serdaris, opened up the Castleford defence with one of his many darting runs from acting half-back.

Andrew Ettingshausen was left with only Goddard to beat, which he duly did to score in the corner.

Wishart, who also finished with five goals, then climbed above Chris Smith to catch Stuart's kick for Australia's sixth try. Smith had a measure of revenge when Blackmore's pass allowed him to weave over for a try.

The admirable Serdaris, one of a number of players with little chance of playing a Test but every prospect of causing havoc in midweek, squirmed over the line four minutes from time to complete the scoring.

Castleford: Goddard; C Smith, Blackmore, Eden (McAllister, 72), Wray; Kemp, T Smith; Crooks (Sykes, 61), Russell (Darley, h-t), Sampson (Morris, 65), Ketteridge, Hay, Smales.

AUSTRALIA: Brasher (Balmain); Ettingshausen (Cronulla), Hill (Manly), McGregor (Illawarra), Wishart (Illawarra); Walters (Brisbane), Langer (Brisbane); Lazarus (Brisbane), Serdaris (Wests), Harragon (Newcastle), J Smith (Canterbury), Furner (Canberra), Florimo (Norths). Substitutes: Stuart (Canberra) for Langer, h-t; Sailor (Brisbane) for Brasher, 72; Fairleigh (Norths) Furner, 72; Menzies (Manly) for J Smith, 72.

Referee: J Connolly (Wigan).