Tigers win at Whitehaven

The Tigers got the job done at the LEL Arena in Whitehaven, running out 38-4 winners!

The Tigers threatened the host’s line early on in the contest, both seeing them inside their 10m. Both ended the same way with a high cross field kick from Jacob Hookem that were both in goal.

The hosts had their first sniff at the line on five minutes. A kick in behind from Bishop was then kicked on by Teare, but Faraimo was there for the visitors to ground in goal and save the try.

Cas came knocking again. After a six-again call gave them extra tackles, they forced their way back within touching distance. The skipper for the day, Alex Mellor thought he’d scored but was adjudged to be held up. Broadbent then put a testing kick across the face of the post and forced a drop out. This drop out led to the first Cas score of the game! A kick from Hookem was spilled by the hosts and Faraimo was on call to ground the ball and open the scoring.

Whitehaven were next to have a shot at scoring. A knock on from Fonua, and a six again left them within touching distance. Haven second row Holliday looked to smash his way over, but lost the ball on the line and hand a let off for the Fords on 15 minutes.

Cas extended their lead on 23 minutes! A great offload from Mamo sent Broadbent away with just the full back to beat. A step to one side fooled the Haven fullback and Jack went racing towards the posts to ground his second try since joining the Tigers.

Whitehaven pressured the Cas defence after a knock on from Faraimo, a penalty for a ball steal and a six again, but the Tigers survived. As the hosts looked to spread left to right, O’Brien knocked on to give the visitors a reprieve.

Castleford struck again in the corner on 33 minutes. After forging their way down the field, Hookem once again chipped a kick towards the corner. This time, the bounce was kind to the attacking Mellor who added four more to the Tigers’ score. Hookem added the extras with a fantastic kick from the touchline.

Cas went in at the break 18-0 up in Cumbria after a great half!

The first 16 minutes of the second half left a lot to be desired, with not much being created by either side. That was until Jack Broadbent hit a great line after the Fords swung play left to right and

crashed over for his second Try of the afternoon. Another monster kick from Hookem found its way through the upright, on this occasion off the post and in.

There was no long wait for some more action this time. A fantastic driven kick through from captain Alex Mellor was chased by the pace of Jake Mamo who got there first to dot down for another Cas score. That made it 28-0 with 20 minutes to play.

The Tigers then scored arguably the try of the afternoon. A nice offload from Daniel Smith sent Robb racing away. Robb cut right and looped a pass to Griffin, who looped a pass again, this time over the top of the Haven defence to find an unmarked Faraimo on the wing who touched down in the corner. A truly classy Cas move.

Cas added more to their total six minutes from time! Another brilliant offload found a already running George Lawler who saw the tryline just 10 yards in front and grounded unopposed.

Whitehaven rounded off the scoring on the final hooter. A pass from Bishop found Hutchings, who couldn’t catch it. However, the Haven Prop volleyed the ball forward and chased his kick to score a remarkable try for the hosts.

Full-time: Whitehaven 4-38 Castleford Tigers

Whitehaven: Rourke, Teare, Singleton, Freeman, Eccleston, Doran, Bishop, Castle, O’Brien, Walker, Holliday, Lanskey, McAveoy.

Interchanges: Aiye, Tabu, Bradley, Spencer-Tonks, Ainley, Hutchings

Tries: Hutchings

Goals: Freeman 0/1

Castleford Tigers: Mamo, Faraimo, Fonua, Turner, Wallis, Hookem, Broadbent, Vete, Milner, Watts, Lawler, Mellor, Massey.

Interchanges: Sutcliffe, Agar, Griffin, Rob, Mustapha, Qareqare, Smith, Edwards.

Tries: Faraimo 2, Broadbent 2, Mellor, Mamo, Lawler

Goals: Hookem 5/7