Tigers down Rhinos to earn their first win of 2023

The Tigers fought hard, battled well and were ultimately, too good for Leeds Rhinos as they clinched their first win of the season at Wheldon Road! 

The Tigers came close to opening the score 8 minutes in. A penalty against Blake Austin for a high shot on Mellor and the Tigers kicked down field and looked to attack. Broadbent hit a flat ball at pace but was held up and the play was diffused when Fonua looked for an offload to Widdop, who was gobbled up by the Rhinos line defence. 

The Tigers were on the back foot shortly after, after a 40/20 attempt from Austin was good. The six again klaxon sounded for the first time and awarded Leeds a fresh set of tackles, however in trying to ground, O’Connor knocked on. 

Cas were on the board! A fantastic move down the left after a kick from Quareqare was regathered, and a very high shot from former Cas man Olpherts gave the Tigers another opportunity. They spread the ball left to right and found Faraimo in space with an overlap. He went in at the corner and the Tigers lead 4-0. 

Leeds looked to respond with an attack of their own, but Faraimo had other ideas. The visitors looked for Newman who, upon receiving the pass, was smashed by the Tigers’ Winger and lost the ball. 

However, they went in front on 28 minutes. Cam Smith, who was up against his older brother tonight, broke the line and offloaded to send Austin away. His simple pass to Myler saw him go in slightly left of the posts. 

Cas levelled the scores after a late hit on McShane was awarded with a penalty. The skipper opted to take the two and Widdop slotted it home with ease. 

Leeds came knocking again, but Cas stood firm. Three back-to-back sets defended within their own 20 metres. A penalty went in favour of Leeds after Cas tried a short kick off, but went into touch before reaching 10 metres. Rhyse Martin took the two when the hosts were slightly on the ropes and nudged in front just 3 minutes away from half time. 

A real arm wrestle of a first half with the visitors going in at the break just two points in front. 

More good defending from the Tigers followed as the game resumed. The Tigers kept Leeds out on their own line for two sets, and then went up the field. A six again got them 30 metres out and were awarded a penalty for an illegal ball steal. They opted for the two but Widdop failed to find the target from the tee. From the 20m drop out, Edwards played a blinding flat ball to Eden who broke the line with pace. The Leeds Full Back Myler met Eden and dislodged the ball on contact. Positive signs at the start of the 2nd half. 

But then, on 58 minutes, the Tigers pounced. A scrum awarded for a failed interception in favour of The Fords and it was their time to capitalise. The ball held at the back of the scrum shortly, fooled the Leeds defence and when it was released, the ball went through hands. Eden with the final pass to Faraimo to score his second of the evening and put the Tigers ahead. 

Cas looked to build on that and get a Try just a minute later. Leeds’ kick off went out on the full and awarded Cas the territory once again. A kick on the last from McShane is spilled by Leeds and recovered by Cas and force over. The Video Referee saw an infringement and denied the Try. 

Bentley’s kick on the last tackle was spilled by Eden on his own tryline and Leeds were in touchjing distance. The Cas defence stood firm and Leeds lost possession. The hosts go up the field through two penalties. The second of which, two points is claimed from 40 metres out through the boot of Widdop. The Tigers were 6 in front with 9 minutes to play. 

The Tigers survived wave after wave of Leeds attack, and on the offensive managed the final 5 minutes well, with kicks into touch and smart play. 

The final hooter was met with a fantastic noise from three ends of The Jungle as Castleford won their first two points of the 2023 season! 

FULL TIME: Castleford Tigers 14 – 8 Leeds Rhinos 

Teams: 

Castleford Tigers: Eden, Faraimo, Broadbent, Fonua, Qareqare, Widdop, Miller, Mustapha (Came in to replace Lawler after an injury in the warm up), McShane, Massey, Milner, Mellor, Westerman 

Interchanges: Edwards, Smith, Matagi, Watts 

18th Man: Mustapha 

19th Man: Vete 

Leeds Rhinos: Myler, Olpherts, Macdonald, Newman, Fusitu’a, Austin, Sezer, Holdroyd, O’Connor, Tetevano, McDonnell, Martin, Smith 

Interchanges: Bentley, Lisone, Sangare, Roberts 

Scorers: 

Castleford Tigers:  

Tries: Faraimo 2 

Goals: Widdop 1/2 

Penalty Goals: Widdop 1/2 

Leeds Rhinos: 

Tries: Myler 

Goals: Martin 1/1 

Attendance: 7458 

Golden gamble: 00047