Tigers lose out at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

 Match Report: Castleford Tigers 4-40 St Helens

Castleford Tigers had a tough start to the game, with their first attacking set forcing them to kick from deep within their own 40. This gave St Helens strong field position, and Alex Walmsley capitalized by breaking through the defence and finding Jake Burns, who scored under the posts.

The Tigers responded with a positive set, with Fletcher Rooney getting his first carry and creating space for Rowan Milnes to put up a high bomb that went to ground. However, Saints quickly hit back with their second try, as Wesley found Bennison, who scored under the sticks.

Jason Qareqare made a big tackle that resulted in the Tigers winning the ball. They looked to move the ball wide to Rooney, but the referee ruled a forward pass, halting their momentum.

Saints threatened again down the left, with Tommy Makinson breaking through, but the ball went to ground. The Tigers regained possession but struggled to get out of their own half. Castleford were handed some relief when Morgan Knowles caught Rowan Milnes high, allowing them to move downfield. Two more penalties for holding down and dissent followed, but the Tigers quickly lost the ball after gaining territory.

St Helens then extended their lead, with Percival linking up with Bennison for his second try of the night in the left corner, just 13 minutes before half-time.

Castleford managed a 40/20 kick to put them 10 metres from the Saints' line, but the opportunity was lost as George Lawler couldn't hold onto a pass from Milnes. Akin Matvejev came off the bench and made an immediate impact with some strong carries, but a wide pass to Qareqare was batted down.

The Tigers continued to push and went edge to edge, eventually finding Fletcher Rooney, who proved too strong for Jonny Lomax and crashed over in the corner for Castleford’s first try just before half-time.

Half-time: Castleford Tigers 4-16 St Helens

The second half began with Jonny Lomax darting from hooker and scoring a try, almost untouched. He then put up a bomb that Rooney took, but the Tigers were awarded a penalty after he was hit in the air.

St Helens kept the pressure on, with Agnatius Paasi crashing over near the line for another try. Saints continued to search for more points, but Fletcher Rooney made a crucial try-saving tackle, forcing a knock-on from Lomax.

Bennison completed his hat-trick after St Helens exploited an overlap, allowing him to score untouched in the corner. Moments later, Tommy Makinson added another, playing a neat one-two and diving over in the corner.

The Tigers attempted a short kick-off but were unable to recover it. St Helens won a scrum 10 metres out from the Tigers' line but lost possession after trying a grubber kick.

Castleford had a late chance when Jacob Miller sent a cross-field kick to Innes Senior, who made a break down the wing, but he lost the ball while attempting a kick ahead.

St Helens sealed the win in emphatic fashion as George Delaney stormed through two defenders and crashed over, just to the right of the posts.

Full-time: St Helens 40-4 Castleford Tigers

Tries:
Castleford Tigers: Fletcher Rooney
St Helens: Jake Burns, Jon Bennison (9', 26', 62'), Jonny Lomax, Agnatius Paasi, Tommy Makinson, George Delaney

Conversions:
St Helens: Bennison, Mata'utia

Castleford Tigers Squad:
Fletcher Rooney, Jason Qareqare, Luke Hooley, Alex Mellor, Innes Senior, Rowan Milnes, Jacob Miller, Liam Watts, Paul McShane, Muizz Mustapha, Elie El Zakhem, George Lawler  
Interchange: Bead Martin, Daniel Hindmarsh, Jenson Windley, Akim Matvejev, George Hill (18th man)

St Helens Squad:
Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Sione Mata’utia, Mark Percival, Jon Bennison, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, Jake Burns, Matty Lees, Matt Whitley, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles  
Interchange: Daryl Clark, James Bell, Agnatius Paasi, George Delaney, Ben Davies (18th man)