Castleford's history shows time and again that success is built slowly. Progress to semi-finals can later lead to finals and cups if the team is continually improved. Following 3 semi-final appearances the previous season, the natural progression came as the club won through to the 1981 Yorkshire Cup final, though there were no big club scalps on the way. It was interesting that in the 2nd round 42-30 home win over York, their score was the highest ever by a losing team in a Castleford match up to then. Castleford went on to win the Yorkshire Cup, beating Bradford Northern 10–5 in front of 5852.

Late August had seen Castleford win at Featherstone 21–18, with the satisfaction of a last minute winning try from Kevin Ward.

Bruce Burton was still struggling with injuries. Having missed most of last season he made a comeback with the "A" team in October but again had to leave the field injured.

The season overall could be summarised as up and down, the down being a lowly table finish. As well as the cup wins the team showed what they were capable of by going to St Helens in January and winning 40–10, after leading 31–0 at half-time. The team was certainly in good form, as the previous game, albeit 17 days previous, had seen a 34–13 home win over Warrington where Gary Hyde with 4 tries and 8 goals set a new record of 28 points as the highest by a Castleford player in a league fixture since Roy Appleyard's 25 scored in the 50–12 win over Bradford in December 1972. A disappointment was a home defeat 14–17 to Wigan in March, which was their first win at Castleford since 1972.

The league form was worse than last year with P30 W10 D1 L19 to finish 12th from 16 overall. 40 matches were played and 32 players used. Gary Hyde turned in a 4 try performance in the 34-13 win over Warrington mentioned above and Kevin Beardmore and Andy Timson were the only hat trick players in the season. Average attendance fell sharply to 3791. Malcolm Reilly announced he would be retiring as a player to concentrate on coaching but was back on the field the following season.

Despite the poor league showing the team were developing a cup fighting mentality, as another Challenge Cup semi-final was reached, although an 11–15 defeat to Hull by injury troubled Castleford proved a disappointment.

Sadly, in March 1982 the secretary Dennis Tiffany suffered a heart attack and died, having given 10 years loyal service. He was replaced by his assistant Denise Cackett. She had been with the club since 1978 working part-time, after new sponsors Scottish and Newcastle Brewery had insisted someone be available at the ground to answer the telephone.

In recognition, in January Geoff Wraith won the monthly award through Open Rugby magazine for the person judged to have made an outstanding contribution to the spirit of the game.

John Joyner had a transfer request turned down after winning the Yorkshire Cup. He was later listed at £110,000, with Hull KR showing interest. Castleford showed interest in Featherstone prop Kevin Anderson and Widnes back Kieron O'Loughlin. Eventually, in March, Anderson arrived in exchange for Phil Johnson, who lasted only half a reserve game at Featherstone before being injured for the rest of the season. Anderson made his debut the following season. In other transfer speculation the club came very close to signing Steve Lane, the New Hunslet stand-off, but he eventually went to Whitehaven via Bramley on loan.

In the "A" team, a 3rd place finish in the league was followed by a win in the Yorkshire Senior Competition Challenge Cup final over Batley by 19–5.

Representatives

Tony Marchant played for Yorkshire Colts, coached by Dennis Hartley
Keith England, Tony Marchant and Robert Whelan played for Great Britain Colts
Keith England, Tony Marchant and Stuart Horton were selected for the Great Britain Colts tour to Papua New Guinea and Australia
Steve Fenton, David Finch, John Joyner and Terry Richardson played for Yorkshire
Gary Hyde, Barry Johnson and Andy Timson played for Great Britain under 24 with Barry Johnson captaining the side

Debuts

Paul Spedding sub forward Castleford Colts
John Harrison wing
Tony Marchant centre Castleford Colts
Stuart Horton hooker Castleford Colts

Last career game played this season and next move

Geoff Morris stand-off 1978/79 York in exchange for John Crossley but later returned. moved to Rochdale 1983/84
Paul Martin wing Halifax on trial later returned later information not available
Paul Orr second row York 1982/83
Jamie Walsh wing Hull KR
Barry Kear prop