Cas lose out in end-to-end contest

The Fords were on the wrong end of an end-to-end contest at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle, losing 12-7 to Hull KR. 

The Tigers had the first meaningful attack of the game 3 minutes in. A move left to right found Faraimo who broke down the left but was caught 20m shy of the line. A kick through on the last tested Coote but Mellor climbed highest to it. He tried to ground but was held up and the ball was turned over. 

They came close again just minutes later. A knock on from the visitors and a six again gave Cas the opportunity to be creative inside 10m. The ball swung right to left through hands but the final ball wide from Turner towards Fonua was too high and went to touch. 

However, on 9 minutes, the Tigers pounced. A high kick from Miller on the last play of the set was spilled backwards by Coote. Creator Miller finished his own Try and got to the loose ball first and the Tigers were on the board and in the lead. 

Hull KR had their first threatening play of the game on 17 minutes. Faraimo broke for the Tigers but had the ball dislodged on contact giving the visitors possession. They work their way down field and kick in-goal and turn Cas round but force an error from McShane. After an overlap on their left edge, Lewis kicked for the corner along the ground and it’s grounded by Ryan Hall; or so he’d thought. Video referee Chris Kendall saw separation when attempting to ground and denied the visitors their first score of the game. 

Liam Watts was sent to the sin-bin for a shot off the ball and the Tigers were defending their own line on 28 minutes. A huge effort from the remaining 12 Fords forced Hull KR to knock on and relieved the pressure. 

A big defensive effort from the Tigers followed and the Tigers limited the Robins’ opportunities despite being a man light for 10 metres and Watts re-entered the contest with no points scored since his dismissal. 

Just 30 seconds left of the half to play, and Cas were at it again with a big defensive moment! After a knock on, KR had a scrum 10m out. The ball headed towards Kenny-Dowall out wide but he’s met by three Tigers defenders and was bundled into touch. 

The Tigers deservedly went in at the break 6-0 to the good. 

Cas came close 3 minutes after the break. A Testing kick from Miller was batted backwards by Mellor and into the hands of Watts. Watts looked left to Edwards who was on hand to fire a bullet bass to Fonua on the wing. Mahe looked to dive in at the corner but his foot touched the line before he could complete the grounding. 

KR did get on the board 8 minutes into the 2nd half. After a tackle from Fonua that was deemed high, Rovers had field position. They went right to left and Corey Hall found a gap to go in to the left of the posts. Coote’s kick levelled the scoring. 

It was unexpected but it was good! Jacob Miller slotted a drop goal with 22 minutes remaining. He saw an opportunity after receiving the ball in front of the sticks and put his foot through it to nudge the Fords in front. 

It was short lived for Cas as KR struck back almost immediately. Their kick off was spilled by the fords and gave them possession inside 20m. From the 2nd tackle, Parcell scooted over through a gap to give his side the lead for the first time. 

Abdull got KR back in striking distance shortly after with a mammoth 40/20. However the Fords stood strong and kept the offense at bay and moving down the field through McShane and Fonua. This break from Fonua was followed by a late hit on Miller that went unpenalised but the kick caused issues for KR and they knocked on 20m from their own line. Cas looked to take advantage but Eden’s kick on the last went dead. 

KR came knocking again and thought they’d scored through Corey Hall. That was until Faraimo’s tackle put him off and he lost the ball in the act of grounding. 

With 10 minutes to go, the end of the game was shaping up to be an absolute thriller at 7-12 with both sides giving everything for the 2 points. 

Castleford came close with 6 minutes left on the clock. Miller’s hoisted kick was spilled by Kenny Dowall and gave them a chance. Broadbent couldn’t gather when it came his way but Rovers were offside and had another chance. They looked left but were penalised for obstruction. 

Cas just ran out of time in an entertaining clash at Wheldon Road and were unlucky to have missed out after a brilliant effort. 

FULL TIME: Castleford Tiger 7-12 Hull Kingston Rovers 

Scores:  

Castleford Tigers: 

Tries: Miller 

Goals: McShane 1/1 

Drop Goals: Miller 

Hull Kingston Rovers:  

Tries: C.Hall, Parcell 

Goals: Coote 2/2 

Castleford Tigers: Eden, Fonua, Turner, Mellor, Faraimo, Broadbent, Miller, Lawler, McShane, Griffin, Milner, Edwards, Westerman 

Interchanges: Watts, Matagi, Hall, Tate 

18th Man: Johnson 

Hull Kingston Rovers: Coote, Kenny-Dowall, Opacic, C.Hall, R. Hall, Lewis, Abdull, Kennedy, Parcell, King, Batchelor, Linnett, Minchella 

Interchanges: Litten, Storton, Hadley, Luckley 

Golden Gamble: 08286 

Attendance: 7110