Tigers lose out at the Jungle.

The game began as a closely contested battle, with Castleford's McShane, playing in his final home game, setting the tone in defence. He managed to close down Gareth O’Brien, but O’Brien still got his kick away. Rowan Milnes ramped up the pressure with a series of towering kicks, but the Leopards responded well, with Asiata charging down the field.

Kai O’Donnell broke the deadlock with a storming run, beating three defenders to open the scoring. Matt Moylan added the extras, putting Leigh ahead 6-0.

Castleford’s Elle El Zakhem took some hard yards coming out of their own half, which gave Milnes time to put a kick deep into Leigh territory. This forced Moylan to mishandle the ball with his foot, costing the Leopards valuable yardage.

Leigh’s Mulhern made a break but was brilliantly chased down by Rowan Milnes. However, the Leopards still found space on the outside, with Charley cutting back inside to score.

The Tigers faced more bad luck when they kicked the ball out on the full from the restart, handing Leigh excellent field position.

McShane made a huge tackle near the Tigers' own line, leading to a turnover of possession. The Tigers capitalised, playing out the back and finding Hooley, who made a half-break downfield. Qare qare also made a half-break, allowing the Tigers to build momentum, but Tex Hoy's promising run ended with the ball going to ground.

The Tigers then lost possession straight from the scrum while trying to find Hooley, 20 metres out from the Leigh line. Tex Hoy produced an incredible kick return, beating three defenders to put the Tigers 10 metres out.

Rowan Milnes put a kick through that Corey Hall chased down to score, giving the Tigers a boost. However, Leigh replied instantly with a big hit on Mustapha, who lost the ball. Amone picked it up and dove over the line untouched.

Castleford responded straight away, forcing an error from the kickoff, giving them their best chance before half-time. Jenson put in an excellent kick through, but no Tigers player could get on the end of it.

*Half Time*

The second half started as another close-knit contest, but the Tigers gave away a penalty for a high tackle. The Leopards capitalised, with Gareth O’Brien opening the second-half scoring.

The Tigers made another crucial mistake, kicking it out on the full for a second time. Josh Charnley raced down the wing to score what appeared to be a try, but the video referee denied it as his foot was in touch.

Jenson Windley was sent to the sin bin with a yellow card for a late hit on Gareth O’Brien. Shortly after, Tom Amone hit a drop-off and crashed over the line, followed by Leutele scoring in the corner, making it back-to-back tries for the Leopards.

Cain Robb made a huge tackle but came off worse with a head injury that saw him leave the field, followed shortly by Mellor, who was injured contesting a kick.

Innes Senior broke down the wing, beating two defenders, and was awarded a penalty after Leigh held him down. Play was then stopped as Joe Westerman went down injured.

Asiata was sin-binned for a late shot, and Innes Senior made another positive run down the wing. Mustapha hit Rowan Milnes with a short ball, and Milnes strolled under the sticks untouched.

The Tigers forced a drop-out after an amazing kick chase, with Hindmarsh and Wattsy leading the charge, putting the Tigers 10 metres out. 

Castleford received a penalty for a high tackle and continued to show plenty of fight, driving Charnley back 10 metres with an immense tackle. Despite their efforts, the Leopards maintained control and sealed a hard-fought victory.

Castelford 12-34 Leigh Leopards

Castleford Tigers: Tex Hoy, Jason Qareqare, Luke Hooley, Corey Hall, Innes Senior, Rowan Milnes, Jenson Windley, Liam Watts, Paul McShane, Joe Westerman, Alex Mellor, Elie El-Zakiem, George Hill

Interchanges: George Lawler, Muizz Mustapha, Cain Robb, Daniel Hindmarsh

Tries: Hall, Milnes

Conversions: Milnes x2

Sin bin: Jenson Windley

Leigh Leopards: Matt Moylan, Josh Charnley, Ricky Leutele, Umyla Hanley, Darnell McIntosh, Gaz Obrien, Lachlan Lam, Tom Amone, Matt Davis, Robbie Mulhern, Frankie Halton, Josh Asiata

Interchanges: Owen Trout, Aaron Pene, Jack Hughes, Brad Dwyer

Tries: O’Donnell, Charnley, Amone, O’Brien, Leutele

Conversions: Moylan 

Sin bin: Asiata