Tigers beaten on derby day.

The sun was shining in Leeds as the Tigers travelled over to local rivals, Leeds Rhinos in the Betfred Super League. 

Matt Frawley was the first to cause some pressure for the Tigers as his high ball was tipped down by Ash Handley, however his touch was knocked into Tex Hoy resulting in the video referee giving no try.

Cas were their own worst enemies after ten minutes, a dropped ball by Innes Senior from a Brodie Croft kick allowed Leeds to scrum down 10 metres out. The Rhinos took advantage by shifting left to Ash Handley who walked over for the first try of the game.

 Leeds went even further ahead later on through Brodie Croft, a penalty for a late shot from Liam Watts gave Leeds the ball 20 metres out and Brodie Croft danced through the Tigers defence.

The Rhinos nearly went over once again when Harry Newman thought he had a 2v1 scenario but a miscommunication with Ash Handley saw the centre pass the ball into touch.

Cas went into the break behind with Leeds leading 14-0, a poor first half performance left the Tigers scoreless and behind in a dominant first half display.

The second half unfortunately started the same way as the first as Matt Frawley scored after two minutes. A penalty from the kick off gave the Rhinos extra field position. Frawley’s dummy fooled the Tigers defenders allowing him crashed over.

Rhyse Martin got himself on the scoresheet minutes later after another Tigers penalty. Poor discipline was killing the Tigers.

Leeds thought they’d got another when Brodie Croft dashed through the line, but Cameron Smith was unable to collect his pass.

Tex Hoy was within metres of scoring after a quick left foot step but scrambling Rhinos defence forced another Cas error.

Cas got themselves on the board in the second half through Elie El-Zakhem who scored his first try for the Tigers. Some off the cuff rugby found El Zakhem who dived over out wide.

Just when Cas thought they’d started to gain momentum Sam Wood dropped Alex Mellor’s pass, Leeds pounced on this opportunity by finding Rhyse Martin for his second of the day.

It was the Leeds Rhinos that took the bragging rights and the two points on derby day after a negative Tigers performance. Rohan Smith’s Rhinos side will be pleased with their win at home. 

FULL TIME SCORE: LEEDS RHINOS 32 – 4 CASTLEFORD TIGERS

Castleford Tigers: Tex Hoy, Jason Qareqare, Corey Hall, Sam Wood, Innes Senior, Rowan Milnes, Jacob Miller, George Griffin, Liam Horne, Sam Hall, Alex Mellor, Elie El-Zakhem, Joe Westerman.

Interchanges: Liam Watts, Nixon Putt, Sylvester Namo, Cain Robb

18th man: George Hill

Tries: El-Zakhem

Leeds Rhinos: Lachlan Miller, Alfie Edgell, Paul Momirovski, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley, Mikolaj Oledski, Jarrod O’Connor, Mickael Goudemand, James McDonnell, Rhyse Martin, Cameron Smith.

Interchanges: Justin Sangare, Sam Lisone, Corey Johnson, Tom Nicholson-Watton

Tries: Handley, Croft, Frawley, Martin x2

Conversions: Martin x5

Penalty Goal: Martin