Fords fearless on their Final home game of 2023

Cas secured the two points on their final home game of 2023 with a 29-12 victory over Hull FC.

The Tigers were on the front foot early and opened the scoring just 3 minutes into the contest! A high shot on Widdop saw the Tigers kick to within 20m. The Fords opted to go left and Widdop missed out Turner with his pass, only to find Qareqare in space. He caught it and with quick footwork, grounded in the corner.

The visitors scored their first after 10 minutes. A penalty inside Cas’ 10 metres for offside allowed the visitors to capitalise. A move left to Swift allowed hi to dot down in the corner. McIntosh with the boot levelled the game.

The Fords thought they were back in front just 5 minutes later. A kick from Austin fell into the hands of Eden. Eden flung the ball back to centre field and Broadbent crashed over. However, referee Ben Thaler deemed Eden’s pass forwards.

Cas came so close to another with 17 minutes left in the half. A Liam Watts offload found Eden who dived over, but the ball came free in the act of grounding and FC were off the hook briefly.

Hull FC got up to Cas’s 20 after a knock on from the Fords, but that was when the Tigers pounced. A pass wide from Hoy was intercepted by starboy Jason Qareqare and he had 80m to run. That he did leaving everyone behind him as the Jungle erupted and scored in front of the FC posts.

It was a special reception on the half hour mark for our very own, Nathan Massey as he entered the field replacing Liam Watts to make his 300th Castleford appearance.

The Fords extended their lead shortly after Massey’s arrival. A neat kick through from Austin was pounced upon by Eden under the sticks to give the Fords breathing room. Widdop took his tally to 3 from 3 with boot.

Some fantastic defensive work in the final stages of the first 40 saw the Fords go in at the break 18-6 up.

Cas came close to adding another 8 minutes after the restart. Hull FC were offside and Widdop kicked for touch giving Cas field position. Some brilliant carries allowed the Fords to have a quick play the ball inches from the line. Johnstone dived over from dummy half, but was held up.

Cas were called into action defensively again on 53 minutes. Swift looked to add another to his tally for the evening, but Wallis tackled him at the right time and dumped the FC number 2 into touch.

Litten saw himself sent for a sit down for a high tackle on Qareqare with 22 left to play. The call came from above to send the tee on for Widdop to take a hot at the posts, however, his kick went wide of the uprights.

After a brilliant break from Qareqare, the Fords found themselves just 10m out on the last tackle. The ball was played back to Austin to slot a drop goal!

It got even better for Cas just a minute later! On the last play of the set, Eden dabbed a kick through the line and Alex Foster raced to ground it and send Wheldon Road into delirium! With 12 to play, Cas lead 23-6.

Swift managed to add another to the visitors tally after a neat move left.

The Fords sealed victory and the Railway End emptied when Widdop kicked through on the last. FC couldn’t gather but Turner could and he grounded to seal the victory!

FULL TIME: Castleford Tigers 29-12 Hull FC

Teams:

Castleford Tigers: Widdop, Qareqare, Turner, Broadbent, Wallis, Eden, Austin, Watts, Johnstone, Mustapha, Edwards, Mellor, Westerman

Interchanges: Griffin, Massey, Robb, Foster

18th man: Martin

Hull FC: Litten, Swift, Scott, Tuimavave, Mcintosh, Lovodua, Hoy, Fash, Houghton, Taylor, Lane, Savelio, Cator

Interchanges: Satae, Brown, Staveley, Dwyer

Scores:

Castleford Tigers:

Tries: Qareqare 2, Eden, Foster, Turner

Goals: Widdop 4/6

Drop Goal: Austin

Penalty Goals: Widdop 0/1

Hull FC:

Tries: Swift 2

Goals: McIntosh 2/2

Attendance: 7947