Defeat at Leeds

Castleford Tigers rounded off their 2023 Super League campaign with a defeat to rivals Leeds Rhinos at Headingley on Friday night.

Blake Austin’s boot got the contest underway with the cool Leeds air being filled with smoke from the firework display prior to kick-off and Cas were awarded an early opportunity to gain field position thanks to a Jack Sinfield kick going out on the full. The Fords made their way up inside the Rhinos 20 and it was Jacob Miller who chipped a delicate kick to the left, however, Leeds came away with the ball under pressure from Greg Eden.

Just a couple of minutes later a handling error from young debutant Fletcher Rooney provided the hosts the opportunity to attack the line. Both Sinfield and Rhyse Martin made efforts to score before Cas saw out the danger by wrapping up the Rhinos on the last.

With ten minutes on the clock Leeds were handed another attacking platform due to Austin being penalised for a tip tackle on Morgan Gannon. That was followed by Cas having to concede a drop out after Rooney grounded a Sinfield kick. The Rhinos kept the pressure high and capitalised by taking the play out the back to Luke Hooley who cut in from the left to cross for the opener. Martin was once again on kicking duties and he made no mistake to give his side a six-point advantage.

The Tigers tried to respond after a Mikolaj Oledzki knock on gave Cas possession on halfway. Cas were boosted by back-to-back penalties just a couple of metres from the Rhinos line but unfortunately for the Fords, they let Leeds off the hook after a pass to Suaia Matagi was called forward.

Halfway through the half the Tigers thought they had got the ball back inside the opposition half after dragging Derrell Olpherts off the field although the referee elected that the winger had been tackled prior. The Rhinos took full advantage of the penalty as they put the ball through the hands to the right-hand side on this occasion and it was David Fusitu’a who collected a pass to dot down by the corner post. Martin’s conversion from the touchline sailed through the sticks.

Cas came forward looking to get back in the contest but again they couldn’t find the finishing touch after they got within five metres of the Leeds line but Austin’s grubber was collected by Martin to get the Rhinos out of trouble.

Leeds got their third with ten minutes of the first half to go. A loose carry from Eden out of the backfield provided the home side with a scrum on Cas’ 20 metre line. The Rhinos went left with the ball being played wide to Olpherts who stretched out an arm to ground the ball. Martin’s kick dropped short for the scores to read 16-0.

As the clocked ticked closer to half-time Leeds added another with just a couple of minutes remaining of the first 40. Jacob Miller threw a pass left as the Tigers looked to get out of their own 20 but Sinfield reacted quickly to intercept and sprint over unopposed. Martin had the simple task of kicking the conversion from in front as the half-time hooter sounded with Leeds leading by 22 points to 0.

Cas were on the back foot immediately from the kick off after Jack Broadbent found the ball too hot to handle. The Rhinos set up in front of the posts and elected to run it on the last with the ball being shifted to Fusitu’a who crossed in the corner for his second of the night. Martinmade no mistake with the kick and add the two points.

Tempers flared five minutes into the half after Lisone took issue with Liam Watts for hitting Sinfield late and the pair were both set to the sin bin to reduce the teams to 12 men. Leeds made the most of the penalty gained for the shot on Sinfield as Fusitu’a sealed his hat-trick by diving acrobatically by the corner post. Martin’s kick was accurate to pull the hosts further clear.

The Tigers were scrapping for their first try of the night with a six again and a Liam Horne burst through the middle putting Cas 10 metres away. Miller dinked a kick left with Eden jumping for it but Fusitu’a collected well under pressure.

58 minutes in and Leeds cut through the Fords defence again with Sinfield spotting a gap in the line on the last to race through and offload to Lisone who held off a challenge to score. Martin kicked the conversion.

With just over 10 minutes remaining the Fords couldn’t find the telling pass near the Leeds try line with Massey spilling an Edwards short ball and the Rhinos punished Cas for not taking that opportunity. The hosts charged forward with Hooley flicking out a pass to Walters who pinned his ears back and slid over. Martin slotted the kick for Leeds to have a 46-0 advantage.

Cas thought they had got themselves on the scoreboard late on with Horne racing after an Austin kick in behind. The hooker thought he had got to the ball first but the referee judged that a Rhinos hand had got the touch.

George Lawler went close in the dying moments for the Fords, however, he was stopped short for the Tigers to suffer defeat at Headingley to round off their 2023 Super League campaign.

Full-time: Leeds Rhinos 46–0 Castleford Tigers

Leeds: Hooley, Fusitu’a, Newman, Handley, Olpherts, Martin, Sinfield, Walters, O’Connor, Oledzki, McDonnell, Gannon, Donaldson

Interchanges: Johnson, Lisone, Edgell, Nicholson-Watton

Tries: Hooley, Fusitu’a x3, Olpherts, Sinfield, Lisone, Walters

Goals: Martin (7/8)

Sin bin: Lisone

Castleford: Rooney, Qareqare, Broadbent, Turner, Eden, Austin, Miller, Matagi, Horne, Massey, Edwards, Mellor, Lawler

Interchanges: Watts, Martin, Hall, Mustapha

Sin bin: Watts