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Rugby League

Tigers sign Bulls second row Cook until end of season

09/04/2008

Castleford Tigers have added to their wafer-thin squad by signing Bradford Bulls second row Matt Cook on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old scored his one and only try of the season for the Bulls in their 24-8 victory over struggling Hull FC at the KC Stadium last Friday.

But he is not expected to play much of a part in the rest of the season for the Odsal side due to the intense competition for places in the forwards this season.

Cook said he is "excited" about the opportunity to gain first-team experience at the Jungle, and admitted he had been swayed by the positive things former players who are now with the Bulls had said about the Castleford setup.

"I have heard some good things about the club from Wayne Godwin and Andy Lynch and I am looking forward to playing at the Jungle," he said.

"I'd also like to thank [head coach] Steve McNamara for allowing me to leave the Bulls."

Tigers coach Terry Matterson said: "We've been talking about it for a while and it's great to get him on board.

"He's a strong-running back rower who brings a bit of punch to us. We're light on back rowers and Matt has played a bit of centre as well.

"He's frustrated that he hasn't been getting game time at Bradford. There is an opportunity for both of us."

Meanwhile, on-trial sprinter Dwain Chambers is no closer to making his rugby league debut for the newly-promoted Tigers.

Chambers has been training with the team for the last ten days but due to his inexperience in the sport Matterson believes he needs more time to adjust before being thrown into Super League action against Hull FC on Friday.

"He's just continuing training," said Matterson.

"We'll continue to monitor it. It may be just a bit too early for him at the moment.

"We've got to make sure we don't push the barrier too early. He's doing a fair bit of work but Saturday is probably just a bit too short. We'll make that decision later in the week."