Super League: Castleford Tigers 26-22 Wakefield Wildcats

Jake Webster's late try ensured Castleford can still finish top of Super League

Castleford remain in contention to win the League Leaders' Shield after a 26-22 win over Wakefield in their final home game of the regular season.

After James Clare's first-half brace, Jake Webster's late try sealed victory.

It means Daryl Powell's side, who are up to second, can still catch St Helens in the final round of fixtures.

Saints will finish top of the table if they avoid defeat at Huddersfield and, if they are beaten, Castleford must beat Catalan Dragons to overhaul them.

As for Wakefield, a loss to their Yorkshire rivals ended their play-off hopes, although they gave the Challenge Cup runners-up a huge scare in a pulsating finale.

Full-back Luke Dorn darted through a gap in the Wakefield defence to give Castleford the perfect start and a sharp restart helped to create a second try for Clare.

Daryl Clark set up Clare and Kirk Dixon for further Cas scores, but Lee Gilmour and Chris Riley went over just before half-time to keep the visitors in touch.

Neither team were able to seize the initiative in a highly competitive second period, until Wakefield failed to collect a high kick and centre Webster gathered the loose ball to touch down.

That score put Castleford 16 points clear with 14 minutes to play, and although late Wildcats tries from Scott Anderson and Richard Owen ensured a nervy finish, Castleford held on to keep St Helens waiting for their first silverware since 2008.

Castleford head coach Daryl Powell:

"We're obviously delighted we've got the two points - that was the most important thing - but, from a performance point of view, we were miles off in the second half.

"I thought for half an hour we looked like a team in play-off mode, then for 50 minutes we were absolutely terrible.

"The game got a bit frantic and we just lost our heads. We couldn't calm down and build the game for ourselves.

"We did well to win the game. I thought we'd get beaten actually. They were playing hot. But you have to commend the character of our team."

Wakefield head coach James Webster:

"I was disappointed with the way we started the game. They competed their first 17 sets and taught us a lesson on how to build pressure.

"We were outplayed in the first 25 to 30 minutes and gave ourselves way too much to do.

"We needed long periods with the ball and we looked better in the second half. Energy and enthusiasm can only take you so far, execution and finishing is what seals the victory."

Castleford: Dorn; Dixon, Webster, Shenton, Clare; Sneyd, Finn; Lynch, Clark, Jewitt, Holmes, Hauraki, Massey.

Replacements: Milner, Mariano, Wheeldon, Carvell.

Wakefield: Sykes; Owen, Gilmour, Lyne, Riley; Godinet, T. Smith; Anderson, McShane, Raleigh, Washbrook, Molloy, D. Smith.

Replacements: Lauitiiti, Wildie, Tautai, Annakin.

Referee: James Child

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