Super League: Castleford Tigers 38-24 Hull KR - Eden hat-trick as Cas end losing run

Greg Eden has now scored in three successive games for Castleford

Greg Eden scored a hat-trick of tries against his former side as Castleford ended their five-game losing run with victory over Hull KR in Super League.

Jacques O'Neill, Alex Foster, Adam Milner and Eden put Cas into a huge 24-0 lead inside 25 minutes.

Hull KR immediately responded through tries from Robbie Mulhern, Elliott Minchella and Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

Eden crossed again following the break and completed his hat-trick late on after Matt Parcell gave Rovers hope.

The victory, Castleford's sixth in the league this season, lifts them a place to eighth in the table while Hull KR remain 10th.

Kick-off in both of Thursday's fixtures at St Helens' Totally Wicked Stadium were pushed back by 60 minutes because of traffic on the M62 earlier in the day.

Rovers, who came into the game boosted by beating Salford last week, were without head coach Tony Smith who is isolating for 14 days after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.

Assistant David Hodgson led them in his absence and saw the Robins struggle to match Castleford's early tempo as they stormed into a commanding lead.

Former Hull KR winger Eden registered his 12th career hat-trick in the victory as they weathered their opponents' valiant attempted comeback.

'We had to win' - post-match reaction

Castleford coach Daryl Powell:

"That was interesting, the old three-hour journey across the M62. It always has an impact but I thought we handled it OK.

"I just felt we needed to win today, however we did it. We had to win, we're under so much pressure. It's a good feeling, it's been a fair while. It's a pleasing win.

"We started great and were fantastic for a large period of the first half. We gave Hull KR an opportunity to have a shot at us and they really challenge you.

"We lost a bit of discipline and focus and were a bit leaky on our own line but we showed a lot of character and courage."

Hull KR's assistant coach David Hodgson:

"Tony (Smith) was at home but he was speaking to Stan (Gene) with some advice on what he could see and it was good to have that. Everyone mucked in, as did the team.

"We showed a lot of grit to get back into the game but we need to stop giving teams a bit of a start.

"We showed we can play rugby at times and score some nice points but we need to fix a few things up at the start of a game. When you give a quality side like Cas a head start it's tough to drag it back.

"In the last 10 minutes I thought we had a chance but I think scoreboard pressure got to us."

Castleford: Olpherts, Shenton, Richardson, McShane, McMeeken, Milner, Massey, Blair, Smith, Moors, O'Neill, Eden, Hodgson.

Interchanges: Sene-Lefao, Foster, Peachey, Martin.

Hull KR: Crooks, Kenny-Dowall, Linnett, Abdull, Parcell, Hauraki, Hadley, Lawler, Dagger, Rawsthorne, Maher, Minchella, Milnes.

Interchanges: Mulhern, Lewis, Gee, King.

Referee: G. Hewer.

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