Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity brought the curtain down on the Easter Weekend with a highly anticipated Betfred Super League derby at OneBore Stadium on April 5, 2026. Both sides entered the clash with renewed confidence—Castleford off the back of a commanding 40-28 win over Bradford, and Wakefield riding a four-game winning streak that’s propelled them to fifth place in the league, just two points off the summit.
As the stands filled to near capacity, the atmosphere buzzed with that familiar derby-day edge. Tigers head coach Ryan Carr, speaking ahead of the match, captured the anticipation: “It is going to be a great occasion; we are expecting a massive crowd and it should be a really good atmosphere, which it always is here at home. Our crowd always gets behind us, which we appreciate. There’s always a bit of feeling in local derbies and I imagine this will be the same.” Carr was keen to keep his squad focused on performance rather than emotion, urging, “When we play our best we’ve seen what we can do, we’ve just got to make sure we maintain that level of standard and don’t keep dipping in and out of it.”
Castleford’s preparation was bolstered by a rare long turnaround, giving the squad extra time to regroup and integrate returning players. Captain Alex Mellor, out since a broken leg in round two, made his much-awaited return. Carr highlighted the advantage: “The long turnaround has enabled us to spend more time together and try to continue to develop as a group. I feel we are only going to get better the longer we play together.”
Team selection was a talking point for both camps. For Castleford, winger Semi Valemei was ruled out after failing a head injury assessment, opening the door for Jake Thewlis—a loanee from Warrington Wolves—to make his club debut on the right flank. Mikaele Ravalawa, initially named in the squad, was again absent, while the Tigers welcomed back key figures Alex Mellor, Jack Ashworth, Joe Stimson, and hooker Liam Hood. The likes of Ash Golding, Jimmy Beckett (who went on loan to Goole Vikings), and Jenson Windley dropped out of the matchday roster.
The Tigers’ starting XIII featured Zac Cini, Jake Thewlis, Darnell McIntosh, Krystian Mapapalangi, and Jason Qareqare—a left-edge duo that proved lethal against Bradford, with Qareqare bagging a hat-trick, each try set up by Mapapalangi. In the halves, Daejarn Asi and Tom Weaver marshaled the attack, while up front, George Lawler, Tom Forber, Joe Westerman, and Jordan Lane provided muscle and skill. Mellor’s leadership was expected to be pivotal, especially after scoring in last season’s round 25 victory over Wakefield.
Wakefield Trinity, meanwhile, were forced into late changes. Jazz Tevaga and Caius Faatili, both named in the initial squad, were withdrawn as precautionary measures due to minor injuries, with an eye on next week’s Challenge Cup clash against Wigan Warriors. Tray Lolesio stepped in for his Super League debut, and Seth Nikotemo returned after being 18th man last week. The big news for Trinity was the return of influential half-back Mason Lino, fit again after a leg injury suffered in the opening-round defeat to Toulouse Olympique. Lino replaced Jack Sinfield, who had impressed during his absence but now made way for the returning playmaker.
Trinity’s starting lineup included Max Jowitt at fullback, Oliver Pratt and Tom Johnstone on the wings, and a centre pairing of Cameron Scott and Corey Hall. Jake Trueman and Mason Lino controlled the halves. In the pack, Mike McMeeken, Tyson Smoothy, Ky Rodwell, Isaiah Vagana, Matty Storton, and Jay Pitts formed a formidable forward unit, with a bench featuring Seth Nikotemo, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Harvey Smith, and debutant Tray Lolesio.
Wakefield’s recent form made them slight favorites, with odds setting the handicap at Trinity -6. Bookmakers and pundits alike tipped Wakefield to edge the contest, citing their perfect March—marked by wins over York, Leigh, Leeds, and Hull FC—and their gritty, cohesive squad. “They are a really good team. They have had a lot of close games and they’ve come out on top in a lot of them so they are a gritty team,” Carr noted, acknowledging Wakefield’s blend of seasoned veterans and new overseas signings.
But Castleford had plenty of reasons to be optimistic. They had won two of their first three home games this season and had emerged victorious in the last meeting between the teams in September 2025. The home crowd, always a factor in derby clashes, was expected to provide a crucial lift. And with players like Jason Qareqare in red-hot form—fresh off a hat-trick—and Thewlis eager to impress on debut, the Tigers’ attack looked primed for fireworks.
On the Wakefield side, all eyes were on Tom Johnstone, who entered the match just two tries shy of a remarkable 150 for his career. Oliver Pratt, who crossed for two tries the previous week, was another threat, while Jake Trueman added creative spark in the halves. The absence of Tevaga and Faatili was a blow, but the depth of Trinity’s squad, highlighted by Lolesio’s debut and Nikotemo’s return, ensured they remained competitive across the park.
The rivalry between Castleford and Wakefield is always fierce, and recent encounters have been no exception. Last year’s trilogy saw each side claim a win, with the most recent going 26-22 to Castleford at the Jungle. With both teams entering this derby on the back of morale-boosting wins, expectations were high for another classic encounter.
During the match, Wakefield’s Jake Trueman made a notable impact, scoring a try that sent the visiting fans into raptures, as captured by photographers at pitchside. The action on the field was as intense as anticipated, with both sides trading big hits, slick passing moves, and moments of individual brilliance.
Betting markets reflected the attacking threats on display: Jason Qareqare was tipped at 1/1 to score again, Darnell McIntosh at 7/4, and Jake Thewlis at 6/4, while Wakefield’s Oliver Pratt and Tom Johnstone were both backed as likely tryscorers. For fans and neutrals alike, the game offered a showcase of Super League’s blend of skill, speed, and physicality.
As the second half unfolded, the match remained finely poised, with neither side able to establish clear dominance. The home crowd roared every Tigers break, while Wakefield’s traveling support urged their team on, especially as the possibility of climbing into the top four loomed with a two-point win.
With the match ongoing and the outcome still hanging in the balance, both Castleford and Wakefield have demonstrated why this fixture is a highlight of the rugby league calendar. The stakes—local pride, league position, and momentum heading into the next round—couldn’t be higher. As the final whistle approaches, all eyes remain on OneBore Stadium, where derby drama is once again at its peak.