Ryan Carr pleased for fans as Castleford Tigers dig out victory at York with second half shut out
It was not pretty, but Castleford Tigers ground out a hard earned victory against York Knights at the LNER Community Stadium as they prevented their hosts from scoring in the second half.
Ryan Carr was pleased with the spirit shown by his players as they put their previous two heavy defeats against the Hull clubs behind them to come from behind for a 24-18 success.
The Tigers were in danger of a third straight loss as they trailed 18-12 at the break, but tightened their defence in the second half and deservedly took the points in the end.
The way they defended their line in a dangerous 10-minute spell towards the end when down to 12 men with George Hirst sin-binned was eventually the key to a victory that saw them climb above the Knights.
"I'm pleased for my team and our fans," said head coach Carr. “We had a massive turnout, which is really pleasing after what's been a tough couple of weeks. That support goes to show how loyal our fans are. We gave them a brave and committed performance.
"That was a win based on effort, which pleases me a lot. Getting through moments of adversity and feeling what it's like to get the result on the back of it is really powerful."
Cas made a strong start as they went ahead in the fifth minute through George Hirst who raced over for his first try for the club after taking an astute pass from half-back Daejarn Asi.
Tom Weaver added the conversion, but the visitors got a bit excited on their next set with Asi trying to force a pass early in his own half only for the ball to go to ground, handing York possession in a good field position.
They took full advantage as former Featherstone Rovers forward King Vuniyayawa crashed over from close range and Cody Hunter goaled.
York were punished for some late and dangerous tackles that could have brought about a yellow card and from one of the penalties Weaver slotted over a goal to nudge Cas back ahead.
They stretched the lead further when Jason Qareqare finished well in the corner following a good move involving Asi, lively full-back Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e and Krystien Mapapalangi.
The Tigers had been helped by decisions going their way at this stage and looked to be on top.
But a penalty gave the Knights a way back in and they took advantage with a try on the last tackle as former Cas captain Sam Wood scored after some hesitant defending allowed a slow looping pass to be batted back from the touchline.
Hunter converted from wide out and the hosts were in again soon after following Wood’s offload despite being held up by three defenders sent Scott Galeano over in the corner.
Another good kick from Hunter made it 18-12 at half-time and there was work to do for Carr’s men.
They started the second half as they had begun the first and looked a little unlucky not to score when Laulu-Togaga'e effort was disallowed after a knock-on had been ruled when a high ball was not dealt with by York.
But when the Knights coughed up possession again from the next set the visitors attacked once more and Renouf Atoni powered over from close range.
Weaver surprisingly missed the very kickable conversion to leave his team behind, but the Tigers went back ahead when Brock Greacen became the third player on the day to score their first Cas try with a strong finish from close range.
Weaver converted this time before more ill discipline was punished as a penalty was kicked by Weaver to push the lead out to six points.
It stayed 24-18 to the final hooter, but the Tigers had to withstand some pressure when down a man with Hirst sin-binned – controversially for a high tackle that certainly looked no worse than several earlier that had not been punished with cards.
They defended their line so much better than they had in the opening half, however, and York seemed to run out of ideas in the closing stages as the Tigers were able to celebrate their fourth Super League victory of the season and second on away soil.