But while expectation levels have, undoubtedly, gone through the roof, Castleford Tigers provided the perfect example of the distance left to travel to compete at the higest level.

Cas were well drilled on attack and defence, very low in errors, gave little ball away and punished every Hornets mistake clinically.

Forced passes and needless penalties gave Castleford all the momentum they needed in the early stages and neat handling saw James capitalise after just 5 minutes. But Hornets hit straight back. Good forward drives took Hornets within striking distance and Radney Bowker left a trail of flapping defenders as he scooted in to score.

But having got back on terms, Hornets persisted in pushing and rushing passes that weren't really on, handing easy possession over to the Tigers well inside Hornets' territory.

First Haughey bounced through tackles to score from close range; then a pinpoint Davis pass found Platt arriving at speed to score.

With the half-time hooter iminent, Cas attacked again, but as the ball was moved left it went to ground. Dave McConnell kicked the grounded ball into space, but fumbled the regather. Waine Price scooped up the ball, referee Mr Hewer waved play on and, while Hornets players appealed for the initial knock-on, Price plonked the ball in at the corner for a hotly disputed try.

The travelling support was incensed as Hornets went in 18-4 down.

But they didn't have long to wait for something to cheer. From the second half kick-off posession, a raking pass from Goulding found McCully in space, he drew the defenders and slipped the ball to Andy 'The Train' Saywell who skinned his opposite number to steam in from 50 metres. McCully slotted a superb touchline conversion.

Hornets pushed onward, forcing back to back sets on the Tigers' line, but unable to break down resilient defence. In reply, Castleford worked the ball upfield where Hepworth appeared on the end of some sharp passing to score. He was followed to the line ten minutes later by Shenton.

Suffering on the wrong end of series of harsh penalties brought about by Mr Hewer's somewhat freestyle interpretation of the offside laws, frustration crept into the Hornets ranks. On 66 minutes Bobbie Goulding was given ten minutes to consider his comments on the referee's decision and, almost immediately, Castleford exploited the advantage sending Pryce in at the corner.

But Hornets were way from finished. The introduction of Lee Birdseye Lee Hansen gave Hornets a flicker of much needed spark and, with only 12 men, Hornets produced possibly the most cohesive passage of football of the afternoon.

First Phil Farrell dummied his way over, then McCully showed good vision and strength to repeat the feat just two minutes later.

In the dying moments, an altercation between Castleford's Davis and Dave Cunliffe saw Davis left on his arse and Cunliffe dismissed for punching.

Never a side to say 'no' to an opportunity, Castleford whipped the ball swiftly across the field for Shenton to score by the flag.

So, there are lessons to be learned from this game. As Halifax's Anthony Farrell said a week earlier: "... "They come out with a pretty basic game-plan - to just come at you and come at you and wait for you to mess up..." - and Hornets messed up frequently enough to provide Castleford with a series of easy attacking platforms.

Take nothing away from Cas, though - they're a good side: they frustrate you on defence and hit you hard on the attack - and sides that concede fewer penalties and give them less ball will take them close.

For Hornets, a disappointing day at the office. They scrambled, scrapped and tried to play football, but spent most of the time battling pressure of their own making.

Off the field, it was pleasing to see so many Hornets fans make the trip and really get behind the lads. They sang their hearts out even when their side was behind and cheered their team from the field at the end.

And the fact that we were all gutted to have lost at Cas, is - in a strange way - reason enough to be cheerful.