Brilliant Castleford Tigers fightback leaves Super League leaders Rhinos stunned

Despite injuries leaving them short of a number of key players and then two more knocks during the game hampering efforts they hit back from 16-0 down in the first half to be only four points adrift at the break then from 30-16 behind early in second half to run out 36-34 winners in a classic West Yorkshire derby.

The Tigers did not hit the front until Tom Weaver brilliantly converted Jason Qareqare’s second try from the touchline nine minutes from time and they held on for a memorable victory that brought head coach Ryan Carr his first taste of success in a derby with Castleford.

Carr had said the ground would be rocking and it was – but only after the home team had recovered remarkably after making the worst possible start.

It was looking like being a long afternoon in the sunshine as Leeds scored from the first set when James McDonnell ran through some weak defence for an all too easy opening try.

Cas then conceded two soft penalties and a set restart and after Jake Connor kicked a goal from one of them a second try was added.

This was controversially awarded after it looked like there had been two forward passes in the build-up before Alfie Edgell collected a loose ball to scored a try that was converted by Connor.

What could go wrong did go wrong at this stage as a Cas attack turned into more points for the visitors when Daejarn Asi's kick was charged down by McDonnell who was then able to gather and set Brodie Croft running clear from his own half for a third Rhinos try.

But after they were given their first penalty the Tigers finally got a foothold in the game and they cut the deficit when Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e's looping pass gave winger Mikaele Ravalawa a chance to attack the line and he smashed two Rhinos players out of his way to go over in the right corner.

Joy was soon to turn to disappointment as from the next home attack another breakaway try saw their opponents on the scoreboard again.

There did not seem any danger when winger Maika Sivo took a high ball deep in his own half, but he swerved past Ravalawa and Semi Valemei and went through an attempted tackle by Weaver to race more than 80 metres for a score that looked set to knock the stuffing out of Cas.

But there were many more turning points to come, the first when a long delay saw treatment for a serious injury to Leeds hooker Daniel Levi.

He needed oxygen and was stretchered off to be taken to hospital where reports said he was thankfully recovering.

When play restarted the injury seemed to affect the Rhinos’ concentration as they left a big gap for Ashton Golding to race through for a try against his former club after he had taken Daejarn Asi’s pass inside the 10.

Suddenly Cas were alive and they scored again just before the break when a fine offload by Alex Mellor – playing at centre – sent Qareqare racing over in the left corner. With Weaver adding a touchline conversion they were only four points down at half-time.

The match swung massively Leeds’ way early in the second half as they came flying out of the traps and Connor's pass sent Tom Holroyd over from close range.

When McDonnell then charged over for another try five minutes later it appeared the visitors had fully re-established control.

However, this is where the Tigers did really well to dig in and half-back Asi showed surprising power to fend off four would-be defenders in a powerful charge over the line.

Home fans were celebrating again six minutes later after a superb break from Qareqare gave them good field position again and Weaver’s clever short pass sent Jack Ashworth over.

Weaver added the extras to bring the scores to within two points and there was big drama to come in a thrilling finish.

Cas thought they had gone in front when Qareqare charged over again after the Rhinos defence had been stretched. But, as had happened to them the previous week against Leigh, after a try had been given on the pitch it was chalked off by the video referee with James Vella ruling there had been an obstruction in the build-up.

However, unlike the week before, Vella also spotted a late tackle by Leeds as well so a penalty was given to the home team and Weaver sent the ball between the posts to make it all square.

Another big chance looked to have gone when a knock-on was given against Ashworth, but a successful captain’s challenge saw possession retained and Cas made the most of it as Jack Brown came up with a brilliant offload and Valemei found Qareqare who had the pace to sprint over for a great try.

It got even better when Weaver superbly slotted a crucial touchline goal to make it 36-30.

In what was one of the games of the season there was still time for another two twists as Leeds hit straight back with an urgent attack that finished with Croft going over for a try. However, they were still two points down as Connor was unable to kick the conversion from the touchline.

It was then about seeing the game out and the Tigers did that to edge a pulsating derby they will hope will kick start a big finish to the season.