Spirited Castleford Tigers back to winning ways in gritty display at Hull

Despite the continued absence of head coach Ryan Carr the Tigers dug out a much needed 18-14 victory for their third conseutive success at the ground.

And with a performance that fans could certainly be proud of this week they also earned revenge for a 50-10 hammering at home to Hull in April.

Cas gave themselves a big chance when opening up a 12-0 lead in the first half that could have been bigger.

There were thoughts of another collapse when the home team stormed back to lead 14-12 just after the hour mark, but the Tigers dug in, stayed in the game and came up with a winning try through Liam Hood 11 minutes from time.

After an even start it was the visitors who went ahead after nine minutes when Renouf Atoni proved too strong for several defenders to power over from close range.

Tom Weaver added the conversion and Cas came close to another try when Daejarn Asi, Louis Senior and Alex Mellor all went close.

Deservedly they did stretch their lead when a great move involving Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e several times led to a simple finish for recalled winger Mikaele Ravalawa.

Hull looked to have cut the deficit as Harvey Barron intercepted PLT’s attempted looping pass and raced at least 90 yards down field to touch down, but his effort was disallowed after referee James Vella spotted a late tackle by Batchelor.

The resulting penalty saw Weaver send the ball between the posts for two more points to take the lead out to 12-0.

However, the good work was spoiled when Ravalawa dropped the ball deep in his own half following the restart and Hull took full advantage of their field position with Batchelor getting on the end of Jake Arthur's grubber kick. Aidan Sezer added the extras to cut the gap to six points at the break.

Castleford have struggled in the second half in recent games and looked to be doing the same again as their opponents looked more eager after the turn round.

Seven minutes in Arthur’s kick caught out a hesitant Senior and Davy Litten knocked the ball down for Barron to collect and crash over.

The ball looked to have gone forward, but video referee Liam Rush ruled that replays were inconclusive so Vella’s decision to give the try was upheld.

Ironically the referee did give a knock-on against Cas soon after as George Hirst dropped a pass, but this time after a captain’s challenge the decision was overturned as the ball clearly went backwards.

This meant they kept possession inside the home 10, but the pressure came to nothing and it was Hull who scored again to take the lead on 61 minutes.

Their best move of the match saw Sezer cleverly send Lewis Martin over in the left corner for his fifth try in his last four games against the Tigers.

Cas did not wilt, however, as they defended well for the rest of the match and were given a big chance with their opponents knocking on from a high kick in their own 10.

From the following set hooker Hood saw his chance to burrow under several defenders to score from close range and with Weaver goalling the visitors were back in the lead.

This time they held on to their advantage in the closing stages to achieve a victory that lifted them in the Betfred Super League table and ensured Hull did not overtake them on points difference.

There was one alarm when Ravalawa allowed a high kick to bounce then impeded Martin as the Hull player was aiming to compete with Weaver for the loose ball.

It gave Hull six tackles from close range to attack the line, but they were unable to break through this newly determined Castleford defence.