Tigers fall short at home to Leigh

A hot Thursday night clash between Castleford and Leigh was kicked off by by former Tigers man Zak Hardaker. Cas youngster Fletcher Rooney comfortably took the high ball and got the Fords underway.

 Cas hit first in the fourth minute when Zak Hardaker’s knock on allowed Cas to take advantage. Youngster Fletcher Rooney was given a walk-in try when Tex Hoy flicked a pass out wide.

The Fords came close to a second when Innes Senior jumped high above Mcintosh, a grubber through from Senior was then inches away from Jacob Miller before it was knocked dead.

Leigh scored next through Zak Hardaker who quickly made up for his mistake. The Leopards fullback received the pass and barged his way over the line.

Super League veteran Josh Charnley had a golden opportunity out wide after the ball came over the top from Lam, however the winger couldn’t convert.

Moments later he had a chance to get himself on the scoresheet, a kick through from Lam allowed Charnley to pounce in the corner despite the effort from Fletcher Rooney.

It was a scrappy first half between the two sides with multiple opportunities to get over the line, but it was Leigh that went into the break in front with a scoreline of 4-8. Only four points separated the two sides with a big forty to play.

Video Referee, Tom Grant, was called into play early in the second half when Tex Hoy thought he’d crashed over the line but heroic efforts from the Leigh defenders kept the Tigers man out.

Edwin Ipape’s defensive effort on the kick pressure was rewarded in the following set when a charged down kick fell into his hands and the PNG international rushed 90 metres to score.

An error in Cas’ own half from George Lawler gifted Leigh possession in the Tigers twenty. A cutout pass from Lachlan Lam flew over Fletcher Rooney’s head allowing Josh Charnley to get over for his second.

The Fords had a try chalked off in the corner for obstruction, Fletcher Rooney rushed down the line for his second, but Referee Marcus Griffiths had different ideas.

Finally, with seventeen to play the pressure on Leigh’s line eventually paid off when a show and go from Westerman put Cas ten points behind.

With two minutes to play Sylvester Namo was sent to the sin bin for a questionable tip tackle. Hardaker looked to take the two the points but was denied by the post in what was the last action of the game.

A tough loss at home for Craig Lingard’s men against an inform Leopards side. A promising home debut for Fletcher Rooney who dived over early on but unfortunately that wasn’t enough tonight.

CASTLEFORD TIGERS 10 – 20 LEIGH LEOPARDS

Castleford Tigers: Tex Hoy, Fletcher Rooney, Corey Hall, Alex Mellor, Innes Senior, Rowan Milnes, Jacob Miller, Muizz Mustapha, George Lawler, Joe Westerman, Luis Johnson, Elie El Zakhem, George Hill.

Interchanges: Liam Watts, Sylvester Namo, Cain Robb, Daniel Hindmarsh-Takyi

Tries: Rooney, Westerman

Conversions: Milnes

Leigh Leopards: Zak Hardaker, Darnell Mcintosh, Umyla Hanley, Ricky Leutele, Josh Charnley, Jack Hughes, Lachlan Lam, Owen Trout, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern, Kai O’Donnell, Frankie Halton, John Asiata.

Interchanges: Daniel Norman, Brad Dwyer, Aaron Pene, Louis Brogan.

Tries: Hardaker, Charnley x2, Ipape

Conversions: Hardaker x2

Golden Gamble: 24/0898