So here we are the end of the regular season and what a season it has been for us cas fans.
Top of table 10 points clear with 14 left to play for
Played 23 won 20 lost 3
Scored 769 points averaging nearly 33.5
Conceded 378 averaging nearly 16.5
A huge +391 points difference
Scored 132 tries averaging nearly 6
Topped the league for all but 1 week (if only we hadn't lost at Salford lol)
Won every home game of the regular season
Been thoroughly entertained with some fast attractive attacking rugby
Looking at all the permutations regarding us winning or losing the LLS it is harder for us to lose it from this point than it is for us to win it, we could lose all 7 super 8's games and still win the LLS. Although the LLS hasn't been won yet with 7 games left I'm confident we will finally win our first ever LLS and finally banish the demons of of that horrible season the joy of the first half of the season then the horror of the second half of the season, also a home semi could be huge considering our home form and could lead to our first ever gf appearance which would be absolutely crazy considering where we were in 2013.
What an amazing journey the last 4 years have been, the memories I have. Roberts drop goal on the hooter v saints, some sublime passing and kicking to set up
Some wonderful tries, watching players like Moors and springer charging up the field dragging 3/4 defenders with them, and of course some excellent diving finishes from Eden, solomona and hitchcox then when you add to that some awesome tackling bordering on heroic at times when really up against it, and if we do indeed win silverware that would be a perfect end to the last 4 years.
Although Winning silverware would be huge for the club as a whole it would be extra special for 2 great men, the 1st who sadly isn't here to witness the continuation of our journey although without him it is unlikely we would be in the position we are in today, and that man is of course the late, great jack Fulton, and although should we win the LLS he won't be there to watch the team lift the trophy I'm sure we will all spare a few thoughts for him during what will already be a very emotional moment for us, even now sat here thinking of those who are no longer with us brings a tear to my eyes, especially my mam, she was there in 86 waving her cas flag celebrating our challenge cup win. Both jack and my mam were tigers through and through both have a special place in my heart as I'm sure jack has with all of us. Speaking of being a tiger through and through I'm sure you'll never find a bigger tiger than the second great man, he loves his club so much he even put his mental health at risk to get us where we are now and that man is of course Steve Gill, worked his way from young scoreboard operator to CEOs, he took over at a very tough time for the club and even though some branded him a cheap option has worked miracles taking us from being close to admin in 2013 to finishing 4,5,5 and most probably 1st in the following 4 seasons and done so whilst having to run us as a self sufficient club and to do so with only 1 poor season is an amazing achievement.
We cannot talk about the last 4 years without mentioning the man who has brought in the troops, trained them and created the tactics that have got us to this point in what could be a historic Season for us, a guy who has been my fave coach for many years, had someone asked me prior to 2013 who my ideal coach was, the answer to that would have been Powell , so imagine my joy when Powell was announced in 2013 and I guess the last 4 years show why I wanted him here for so long, in 2014 and 2015 when everyone had us in a bottom 4 dogfight I was confident we would finish top 8 although we finished higher then I thought we would, another guy who has done an amazing job, coaching at a club that is used to winning is 1 thing but coaching a regular bottom 4 club and in your first 4 seasons finishing top 5 is miraculous, powell deserves silverware this season and I'm sure the boys will work hard to get him it.
Another thing I am excited about is player retention, at 1 time we could only dream about signing quality players like Zak, when we did manage to sign good players it was usually only for 1 season till a bigger club became interested then off they went, or they were nearing the end of their careers and came for 1 last payday, but as she with Zak coming n load the signing a 4 year deal, England internationals gale and Meeks both signing extensions just to name a few, then I look at some of our quality players who are nearing the end of their current contracts, Moors and jsl, 2 players who I feel would be happy to sign an extension should the club offer 1.
I'd like to say a few words about our fans, as a fan who for financial reasons cannot attend many games I would like to applaud the fan support at games both home and away.
Regular season home average 8,733 and with having the lucky draw of wakey and Leeds at home coupled with hudds and Salford away and a possible home semi should push us above 9,000 home average which would be amazing.
With an away average that must be between 1,000 and 1,500 shows how much our fans have bought into what both Gill and Powell are building here.
I Have certainly enjoyed the journey so far and considering we have majority of quality players on long contracts face the possibility of more enjoyable seasons to come.