Young Knights winger tackles the ‘fastest man in Britain’

8:42am Monday 28th April 2008

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YOUNG winger Joe Stearman brought the "fastest man in Britain" crashing down to earth yesterday - and described the entire occasion as surreal.

The 20-year-old became the first man to tackle controversial sprinter Dwain Chambers in a game of rugby league when he thumped into the former Olympian during the reserve grade academy friendly between Castleford and York City Knights.

The game had been arranged so Chambers could taste match action as he looks to win a contract with the Super League club. And Stearman, a product of New Earswick ARLC, loved being involved in the much-hyped spectacle, watched by 3,244 fans. "I got a big buzz out of everybody being there," he said. "The biggest crowd I've played in front of previously was about 1,000 in the Knights v York Select pre-season friendly."

Stearman had been interviewed in the build-up by national media. He said: "I'm only 20 and I'm not even in the first team. To get all this attention was surreal. During the week I was excited and a bit nervous, but after I got out there the buzz was fantastic."

As for Chambers' display - his first run-out after four weeks' training - Stearman said: "I thought he did all right. Positionally, he needs to work on things, but he got stuck in. He was a lot better than I expected. People said he might be scared to get involved but he was in there."

Stearman also backed Chambers' efforts to make a go of it in rugby, though there are doubts whether the 30-year-old can come to a financial agreement with Cas to continue his trial. "I don't think it's ever too late to start," he said. "It's like starting a new career. I say fair play to him."

Knights academy coach Paul Higgins also had words of praise. "Defensively he got caught out of position but when he took the ball in he did well and got a couple of quick play-the-balls. He got more positives than negatives," he said. "But he'd know this morning whether he wants to continue."

Higgins reckoned his team could have played better.

He said: "They enjoyed the occasion, but I don't think they will have enjoyed their first-half performance. We picked up a bit in the second half. The 30-16 scoreline slightly flattered Cas, though they were probably a bit more clinical."

There were, however, surprise inclusions for Johnny Waldron and Andy Gargan as substitutes.

Winger Waldron has been struggling with a knee strain but is playing on for now, while half-back Gargan returned to the ranks. He had left the Knights in February to go back to amateurs York Acorn, helping them win promotion 24 hours earlier.

The Knights were hit by some dubious refereeing calls, but battled on, matched Cas for long periods and scored three tries.

Hooker Tom Hodgson got two, digging over from dummy-half and then dummying in superbly. Mark Applegarth got the other late on, set up by the excellent Steve Grundy, with Chambers injuring a shoulder as he tried to tackle the forward as he touched down. Dale Ferris converted all three.

However, missed one-on-one tackles cost the Knights as Cas ran in seven tries.

Knights: Leeke, Joe Stearman, Grundy, Blaney, Ferris, Varley, Speck, Applegarth, Hodgson, Ekis, Hunter, O Wilcox-Harrison, Watling.

Subs (all used): Walton, Jack Stearman, Gargan, Waldron, Rientoul.

Peter Martini's Chambers watch

* Chambers enters the field as a substitute on 11 minutes, going onto the right wing. He is caught out of position but Dale Ferris - his direct opponent on York's left wing - sees a kick to the corner go straight out.

* Chambers soon takes the ball from a scrum for his first run and, after evading one half-tackle, is halted by a thumping tackle by opposite winger Joe Stearman.

* Chambers' next involvement is a speedy kick chase, but he runs too fast and full-back David Leeke sidesteps him. He is tackled by Chris Varley next time he touches the ball. He comes off after 25 minutes.

* Chambers goes back on after 36 minutes. He tackles Ferris and gets in a half-tackle on Sam Blaney but only after being caught offside at the play-the-ball. He is then involved in a two-man tackle that takes Ferris into touch.

* Chambers chases another kick downfield but again is sidestepped easily, this time by Johnny Waldron.

* Chambers looks knackered as the hooter sounds and does not reappear until the 51st minute. His next carry is halted by Oliver Wilcox-Harrison. Chambers is involved in a tackle on Steve Grundy, but struggles to deal with a high kick by Andy Gargan, knocking-on after letting the ball bounce.

* Chambers nearly evades Grundy but Joe Stearman helps to complete the tackle. In his next run, young Luke Watling forces Chambers to knock-on after he had broken tackles by Grundy and Stearman on a mini-break.

* Chambers covers back to gather the ball and concede a dropout after a kick by Leigh Rientoul. He then goes off, after 69 minutes, again looking bedraggled.

* Chambers returns on 76 minutes, at full-back. York break down their left and Chambers is unable to stop Mark Applegarth reaching the line, despite a brave tackle in which he injures his right shoulder, suffering a "stinger". Chambers goes off after 78 minutes.