"An 80 Minute performance". How often have you heard coaches and players come out with this line? Is it ever possible, does it really matter?
I make this point because of the way that Castleford have won their games this season. They've played four and won four but had periods in games when they've dropped the ball or thrown forward passes.
It's not been perfect. It's just that they've also had what you could call a "purple patch", a period when they've been like "fire". They've been red hot for sections of all four games.
- Round 1: v Leigh scored four tries in 20 mins in first half, scored four tries in 20 mins in second half.
- Round 2: v Warrington scored four tries in eight minutes.
- Round 3: v Leeds scored four tries in 20 minutes in first half, scored three tries in four minutes in second half.
- Round 4: v Widnes scored four tries in 13 minutes in first half.
In fact, at Widnes they scored three tries in just 13 play-the-balls and ran like lava they were so hot towards the end of the first half. As you can see, that wasn't a one-off, they also scored three tries in 20 play-the-balls v Leeds and four in only 21 possible scoring chances at Warrington.
A team doesn't need to be great for every minute of every match. In fact, the perfect games doesn't exist and it's unrealistic to think that a team can throw 200 or more passes and make 20 or so kicks without some mistakes occurring.
So what is it that's made Castleford so good this season? Those with memories longer than a month will recall just how good the Tigers were in patches last year. Two matches in May against Leeds, when they scored 52 points and against Warrington in Newcastle when they scored 34 unanswered points after being 14-0 down highlighted what their attacking game was capable of.
This year they've improved as a team with their skill in my eyes, and added some steel to their defence which is making them a more demanding team to play against.
I doubt that they've got faster runners than the other teams, but they've got an attitude which encourages them to attack when possible. They read and react to situations quicker than their opponents at present and lead the way in terms of long-range tries (I've joked to a friend recently that a try scored from your own half should be worth eight points not four which would give the Tigers an even bigger advantage over their opponents).
They also seem to be the team with the biggest focus on supporting a team mate when he makes a break. Chances need to count and 'Cas' apply that principle whenever they can.
If your team are not playing and you have the time, get along to watch them play against Salford on Sunday. I'm certain that you'll some great tries.