Controversial decisions go against Castleford Tigers as they lose out to Leigh
Castleford Tigers were on the wrong end of some big decisions as they could not extend their winning run to beyond two games when at home to Leigh Leopards.
Ryan Carr’s men made a fast start and were 8-0 up early on as they initially looked set to record another victory before a huge decision by referee Liam Moore turned the game in the visitors’ favour.
With another try already to his name, Jason Qareqare fielded a ball in his own half and seemed set to race clear after weaving his way past a couple of defenders.
But he was pulled back by the official who claimed there had been an obstruction by Daejarn Asi, who did his best to get out of the way. The decision was harsh to put it mildly and instead of possibly 14-0 to the home team it was soon 8-6 as Leigh scored off the back of their penalty in an attacking position.
Another penalty to the visitors led to them scoring again and from that point it was a battle for Cas.
They stayed in the contest to show how they have improved in recent matches and it was only off the back of a handling error in the last 15 minutes that Leigh were able to clinch their 24-14 victory.
They took advantage of further refereeing in their favour for one of their two second half tries and the Tigers could easily have been celebrating victory, although they could also look back on a number of missed scoring opportunities that proved as costly as the decisions.
Despite the defeat the hosts could take plenty from this game as they made almost 300 metres more than their opponents and there were notable performances from their left edge stars Qareqare and Krystien Mapapalangi again plus half-back Asi and several of the willing forwards.
A flying start saw Cas ahead inside three minutes as Tom Weaver, Asi and Mapapalangi combined effectively to give Qareqare a chance to attack the line and the winger finished in style for the opening try.
Weaver added a touchline conversion and after more Tigers pressure he kicked a penalty to make it 8-0.
The controversial obstruction decision gave Leigh the leg up they needed, although Jacob Alick-Wiencke was too easily allowed to score from close range.
Former Tigers player Innes Senior – playing directly up against twin brother Louis – put the visitors ahead with an easy finish after the home defence was stretched by a fast play and Adam Cook’s second impressive conversion put them 12-8 ahead.
This was how it stayed to the interval with Cas squandering a good chance just before the hooter and left to regret not being quite sharp enough to finish off their promising attacks.
More controversy followed early in the second half when the home team should have been given a penalty for an elbow into the face of Mapapalangi by Jack Hughes. And again this was compounded as Moore did spot a tackling offence moments later by Castleford. Off the back of that the Leopards marched downfield and it was Hughes who touched the ball down for a try again converted by Cook.
To their credit, the Tigers stuck to their task as they defended their line better for a spell to stop their opponents running away with the game.
A few mistakes crept into Leigh’s game as their previous 100 per cent completion rate went out the window and they were almost punished when Zac Cini challenged for a high ball only to be held up over the line.
Another Asi high kick caused problems for the visitors and Cini tapped the ball back for George Lawler to gather and score.
With Weaver converting the hosts were back to within four points and had the momentum to maybe go on to win.
However, they pushed too hard to make something happen and Asi was unable to hold onto an offload. Cook got to the loose ball first, kicked on and gathered to score the match winning try.
Cas did keep going right to the end, but despite fashioning some more chances they were unable to hit back.
• Before kick-off a moving tribute to the late John Kear was paid with a minute’s silence following heartfelt words from his fellow Castleford legend Barry Johnson.