Chambers makes disappointing debut

Dwain Chambers did not impress in his first rugby league match and he suffered a shoulder injury as he tried in vain to prevent a try.

A crowd of 3,244 watched the sprinter play for Castleford Tigers in a Reserve Grade match against York after a month on trial with the club.

He played four spells, totalling 39 minutes, but he only carried the ball five times, each from scrums.

He made two tackles but missed three more, committed two knock-ons and was forced to carry the ball over his own line to concede a drop-out as Castleford won the match 30-16.

In his final spell, Chambers played at full-back and hurt his right shoulder as forward Mark Applegarth scored York's third try.

Chambers said: "It was great fun, although I'll never play full-back again. I'll definitely be back and I appreciate people coming down to support me."

Kick-off was delayed for 15 minutes because extra turnstiles had to be opened to cope with a crowd ten times larger than the usual attendance for reserve matches.

Castleford's head coach Terry Matterson returned from France earlier than planned to watch the match but he is unlikely to offer Chambers a contract based on his performance.

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