Tigers into the next round!

The Tigers visited the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium to face the Batley Bulldogs in the Betfred Challenge cup sixth round.

Paul McShane won the toss and the Tigers chose to play up the famous Batley hill in the first half.

Robbie Butterworth got the game underway with a high boot down the hill which was safely collected by Innes Senior.

Cas had the first chance of the game as Broadbent put Senior clear down the left edge and down the line, however the Tigers were penalised for obstruction by the referee.

Batley struck first minutes later when Dane Manning was hit with a short pass and barged through the Tigers defence.

A mistake from Jack Broadbent forced a goal line drop out 10 minutes in, the strong wind didn’t do Cas any favours when the ball failed to go 10 metres. Batley took advantage by taking the two points putting the Bulldogs 8-0 up.

Kieran Buchanan showed some great hands when Josh Simm kicked across field, captain Paul McShane then stripped the ball and dived over the line but the referee penalised the Tigers.

The Tigers hit back after 23 minutes through Josh Simm, quick hands from Milnes and Broadbent allowed the winger to dive over in front of the Tigers faithful.

Cas managed to keep the momentum when a Jacob Miller kick was caught by Liam Horne, the loose forward offloaded to Rowan Milnes who dived over putting the Tigers 2 points ahead.

It didn’t take long before the Bulldogs got back in front when Brandon Moore scooted over, sloppy defence from Cas once again letting the Bulldogs over.

It was Cas who struck last in the second half, a wraparound play from McShane and a clever pass to Innes Senior allowed the Tigers to level the scores going into the break.

The Tigers got off to the start they needed, after a penalty for a high shot Cas spent some time down on the Batley line, skipper Paul McShane put Cas ahead as he barged over the Bulldogs markers.

Alex Mellor was then sent to the sin bin for a late shot and a coming together after 24 minutes, strong defence from the Tigers though as Paul McShane collected a poor kick after a spell of Batley possession.

More Batley possession followed a goal line dropout, captain Paul McShane forced the Bulldogs error and Cas retained the ball.

After some good defence Cas marched down the pitch through Innes Senior, a strong carry and quick play of the ball allowed Jacob Miller to receive the ball and throw a dummy allowing himself to dive over the line.

Innes Senior put the game to bed with 10 minutes to go with an acrobatic finish in the corner, off the cuff play from Brad Martin and Josh Hodson set up the platform for Senior to dive over.

A first win for the Tigers in 2024 as a spirited Batley side come up short. The Tigers side were too strong in the second half keeping the Bulldogs to nil.

FULL TIME SCORE: BATLEY BULLDOGS 14 – 28 CASTLEFORD TIGERS

Castleford Tigers: Jack Broadbent, Josh Simm, Alex Mellor, Josh Hodson, Innes Senior, Rowan Milnes, Jacob Miller, Joe Westerman, Paul McShane, Sam Hall, Luis Johnson, Brad Martin, Liam Horne.

Interchanges: Albert Vete, Luke Hooley, Liam Watts, Cain Robb.

Tries: Simm, Milnes, Senior x2, McShane, Miller

Conversions: McShane x2

Sin Bin: Mellor 

Batley Bulldogs: Robbie Butterworth, Dale Morton, Kieran Buchanan, Jonny Mitsias, Joe Burton, Ben White, Dave Gibbons, Adam Gledhill, Alistair Leak, Luke Cooper, Dane Manning, Lucas Walshaw, Brandon Moore.

Interchanges: Oli Burton, George Senior, Joe Gibbons, Michael Ward

Tries: Manning, Moore

Conversions: Gibbons x2

Penalty Goal: Gibbons