Victories for Castleford against Leeds have become second nature in recent years but if this is to be the season they finally end their 91-year wait for the championship, this will surely go down as a defining evening.
Questions have been asked of the Tigers, the sport’s enterprising showmen, in regards to whether they can handle unfavourable conditions. Their defeat at Salford this season in driving rain at first suggested they could not – but here, in un-Castleford-like conditions to say the least, the Tigers showed the latest display of their burgeoning title credentials in all their glory.
There had been talk pre-match from the Leeds coach, Brian McDermott, that the sport’s press had put the Super League leaders “on a pedestal” this season but the facts are irrefutable. A pre-game six-point lead at the top is now seven; the notion Castleford cannot handle wet weather has been somewhat rebuffed and all in all, the Tigers are ticking along nicely at the summit. Defeat in the Challenge Cup last week was indeed a setback and a disappointment, though credit in that regard should go to Hull for producing the performance to beat the league leaders. Few others seem capable of finding the formula to do so now.
“We’re delighted we’re in such a good position but it doesn’t matter unless you come up with something at the end of the year,” Powell said. He affirmed McDermott’s pre-match comments had motivated his side.
Leeds were significantly below the standards which have seen them become one of Castleford’s closest contenders for the League Leader’s Shield this season, and although they led thanks to an Ash Handley try following a Ben Roberts error, the Tigers quickly assumed control of proceedings.
They rallied to lead 8-6 at half-time thanks to Greg Eden’s 31st try of the season and two goals from the outstanding Luke Gale, before Gale and fellow ex-Leeds team-mate Zak Hardaker put the result beyond doubt in the moments after the break.
First, Hardaker’s exceptional long-range try put Castleford further ahead before his offload laid the platform for Gale’s mercurial right boot to kick through for Grant Millington. Adam Cuthbertson’s late try was nothing more than a consolation for Leeds, whose coach said top spot is now beyond his, and any other, side’s reach. It is becoming increasingly hard to argue against that train of thought.
Meanwhile Hull FC came back from being 18-10 behind to notch up a fourth successive win and move up to second. Marc Sneyd marked his return from injury with 16 points but it was Wakefield who made the early running and they had earned their eight-point advantage at half-time. That was the end of their scoring, however, as Hull recovered with 30 unanswered points to make it 40-18, Sneyd scoring six goals and a try.
St Helens pulled off a stunning comeback against Salford, with Matty Smith scoring a drop goal in the final seconds. Salford led 24-8 with eight minutes left but three unanswered tries – from James Roby, Regan Grace and Jonny Lomax – gave the home side the momentum. Smith then slotted over from 40 yards to complete the 25-24 win. Wigan clinched a 19-19 draw at Huddersfield when George Williams landed a drop goal in the final minutes, but Wigan have not won in their past eight league games.
Leeds Sutcliffe; Briscoe, Watkins, Hall, Handley; McGuire, Moon; Singleton, Parcell, Galloway, Ward, Jones-Buchanan, Ferres. Interchange Cuthbertson, Walker, Mullally, Garbutt.
Tries Handley, Cuthbertson Goals Sutcliffe (2)
Castleford Hardaker, Hitchcox, Webster, Minikin, Eden; Roberts, Gale; Milner, McShane, Millington, Foster, McMeeken, Sene-Lefao. Interchange Massey, Springer, Holmes, Patrick.
Tries Eden, Hardaker, Millington Goals Gale (5) Drop goal Gale
Referee R Hicks. Attendance 18,029
