News

Posted: Saturday 29th May 2021

Cas fall to Rhinos

It was a disappointing night at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle for the Castleford Tigers as they were beaten 6-60 by the Leeds Rhinos on Friday night.

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Head coach Daryl Powell made a few changes to his Cas side from the defeat at Warrington Wolves last weekend. Cheyse Blair, Greg Eden, and Jacques O’Neill all returned to the starting line-up after returning from injury. Liam Watts also came back into the fold after two games on the sidelines with a ban and started the game at prop.

The Tigers got off to the dream start inside the second minute after a great run forward from O’Neill opened up the field just inside the 40-metre line. The loose forward then passed to Jordan Turner who produced a beautiful dummy to sell the defender and he charged over to open the scoring. Danny Richardson added the two points from the tee.

However, the Fords’ lead was cut short just moments later after a ball steal gave the Rhinos some good field position. They then opened up the play down the left through the hands as Luke Gale played the ball to the left and Tom Briscoe slid over to score. Rhyse Martin missed the conversion to put the scores at 6 points to 4.

Just five minutes later the visitors took the lead after consecutive penalties got them into Cas territory once again. Gale looked dangerous as he took the ball to the left edge and this time it was Jack Broadbent who crossed the line. Martin was accurate with the boot to give the Rhinos a four point lead.

Cas struggled to prevent Leeds’ strong attacking play and were punished again on the 20-minute mark. Matt Prior used his size to barge his way towards the line and the prop did well to get his hands free and offload the ball to Kruise Leeming who strolled in. Martin then added the extras.

The visitors kept pilling forward as they targeted the left side once again as Gale was the creative key for the Rhinos. The stand-off spotted Richie Myler in space on the touchline and the full-back finished in the corner. Martin’s kick was wayward from the tee for the score to stay at 6-20.

As the game came towards the half an hour stage Leeds scored again. A six again call got the Rhinos right up to the line and some quick hands on the far side was eventually gathered by Luke Briscoe out wide to score. Martin slotted the two points.

It was then Leeming who went over for his second try of the night. The ball came out to the left again and a quick pass from Broadbent put the hooker in space to run in from 20 metres. Martin was accurate again with the extras to take Leeds’ lead to 26 points.

Cas got into Rhinos territory late on in the half as Daniel Smith crashed towards the line and it looked like the prop got the ball down over the line but the referee judge that the ball was held up.  

Leeds got the first try of the second-half as the ball was played out to the right on the last tackle and a chip and chase from Konrad Hurrell opened up the defence for the centre to go over. Martin then kicked the two points.

With 52 minutes on the clock there was some more encouraging attacking play from the Tigers as Jacques O’Neill attempted to scoot over on the last but was denied by a good covering challenge.

Interchange Brad Dwyer was next to score for the Rhinos after Cas did well to hold up Leeds on the line, the play then restarted, and Dwyer was able to rush over to score. Martin converted the extras.

A few minutes later the visitors threatened again on the final tackle with a high kick. The ball was spilt off a Cas hand and Gannon was in the right place at the right time to grab the ball and go over. Martin then kicked the conversion to add the two points to make it 6-50 with 12 minutes remaining.

Leeds capitalised on a dropped pass by Cheyse Blair 10 metres from the Cas line as the ball was turned over. The Rhinos produced a smooth passing play across the field, and it was Tom Briscoe who was in space to get his second try of the night. Martin could not get the extras from the tee.

With just a few minutes left until full-time the Rhinos were in again as Hurrell broke the line with space to run in to. Gale was on his shoulder and the stand-off received the ball from Hurrell and could coast home to score. Martin made no mistake with his conversion for the game to finish 6-60.

 

Full Time: Castleford Tigers 6–60 Leeds Rhinos

 

Castleford Tigers: Eden, Olpherts, Mata’utia, Cheyse, Clare, Turner, Richardson, Watts, McShane, Smith, Sene-Lefao, Griffin, O’Neill

Interchange: Hepi, Matagi, Peachey, Martin

Tries: Turner

Conversions: Richardson (1/1)

 

Leeds Rhinos: Myler, L. Briscoe, Broadbent, Hurrell, T. Briscoe, Gale, Sutcliffe, Prior, Leeming, Oledzki, Martin, Mellor, Tetevano

Interchange: Dwyer, Vuniyayawa, Donaldson, Gannon

Tries: L. Briscoe, T.Briscoe x2, Broadbent, Leeming x2, Myler, Hurrell, Dwyer, Gannon, Gale

Conversions: Martin (8/11)