Defeat at KR for the Fords

Cas were defeated 34-16 at Craven Park against Hull Kingston Rovers.

The first 10 minutes of the contest left a lot to be desired with no clear cut chances from either side. Completion rates started brilliantly with just one knock on per side but a real nervy start to proceedings without any real spark.

The game did game somewhat to life but in the favour of the hosts on the 15 minute mark. A melee in the corner that saw both Ryan and Eden go airborne for the ball. The ball did bounce to Opacic who pounced down the wing from short range to ground for the opening score of the contest.

Just a minute later, KR were on the board again. After George Griffin was penalised for a high tackle, the Robins booted down field. That was then added to by a Lewis break through the line and then on the last play, Kennedy met a flat pass from just 5m out to barge over.

Cas looked to muster an attack of their own. Eden broke down the wing and looked to play an inside ball. That was before his foot went into touch and play was brough back.

Hull KR added another 6 to their tally on 23 minutes after Lewis broke through again. He managed to get an offload away to Linnett who raced in under the sticks.

Billy Tskrikas made is Tigers debut with 13 minutes left in the half, replacing Liam Watts.

On 29 minutes, Cas were on the board! After A brilliant ball from Miller found Broadbent, who met it at speed, after he was tackled a simple offload to Tate is what was required, and that’s what he did! The young centre, playing in his first game against Rovers since leaving them for Cas, dotted down to get the Fords on the scoresheet.

They had another with two minutes to go in the half! Broadbent this time manages to get one of his own! After a forward pass and a penalty for offside Cas were in range. A neat move from left to right and some brilliant reflexes allowed Broady the space to put on the afterburners and step Lewis to go in just before the hooter.

Cas dragged themselves back into the game in the latter stages of the half and went in at the break just 6 points behind.

Straight after the break, KR were over again. Matt Parcell broke through the line and headed towards the line. He offloaded it to Minchella and the KR 13 finished the move off to the right of the sticks.

With 27 minute left, KR put the contest seemingly out of sight for the Fords. Back-to-back six again calls for the hosts got them within 10m of the line. Batchelor powered through in what seemed to be a straight forward crash ball and reached out to slam the ball down from a standing position, despite the best attempts of Jack Broadbent.

Broadbent was then sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes for slowing down the play the ball and the hosts opted to add two more to their tally with the boot. Milnes despatched stretching their lead to 20.

It got even worse for Cas on the halfway mark of the second 40. A kick in behind from Rovers troubled makeshift full back Tate and the ball went to ground. KR took advantage of the extra man as Schneider saw Ryan unmarked out wide and looped a ball over to the winger, giving him an easy score.

The Fords did get a consolation Try with 8 minutes left to play. KR were penalised for offside, Cas headed up the field. A brilliant move found Greg Eden who went in at the corner for his 100th Super League Try for the club.

Cas did put another nice move together late on. A shift towards the right edge found Broadbent off the hand of a KR man but when the Fords number 17 headed for the corner, the ball came free.

FULL TIME: Hull Kingston Rovers 34-16 Castleford Tigers

Teams:

Hull Kingston Rovers: Lewis, Ryan, Opacic, Kenny-Dowall, Senior, Milnes, Schneider, Kennedy, Litten, King, Batchelor, Linnett, Minchella

Interchanges: Parcell, Storton, Keinhorst, Luckley

18th man: Aydin

Castleford Tigers: Broadbent, Wallis, Mellor, Tate, Eden, Dean, Miller, Watts, Johnstone, Griffin, Edwards, Lawler, Westerman

Interchanges: Massey, Matagi, Foster, Tsikrikas

18th man: Sutcliffe

Scores:

Hull Kingston Rovers:

Tries: Opacic, Kennedy, Linnett, Minchella, Batchelor, Ryan

Goals: Milnes 4/6

Penalty Goals: Milnes 1/1

Castleford Tigers:

Tries: Tate, Broadbent, Eden

Goals: Dean 2/3

Sin Bin: Broadbent