Castleford survive late drama to beat Hull FC

Betfred Super League

Hull FC (6) 14

Tries: Barron, Martin 2 Goals: Sezer

Castleford (12) 22

Tries: I. Senior, L. Senior, Asi, Amone Goals: Milnes 3

Castleford Tigers earned a fourth Super League win of the season after surviving a late rally to beat Hull FC at the MKM Stadium.

Tries from Innes and Louis Senior either side of Harvey Barron's score put the Tigers in control.

Further scores from Daejarn Asi and Tom Amone appeared to put Castleford out of sight.

But Lewis Martin's late double made it a nervy ending on a night littered with individual errors for Hull, who remain without a home win.

Castleford made a flying start inside four minutes, through Innes Senior's try in the corner.

A lengthy check from video referee James Vella confirmed he had not gone in to touch, as Rowan Milnes converted from a tight angle.

Less than 10 minutes later, Hull hit back with their first meaningful attack. Yusuf Aydin broke through before being held up yards short from the line as Cade Cust found Barron in the corner.

Louis Senior shrugged off four Hull defenders to power through and score and regain his side's lead on 23 minutes, exposing a soft centre in the home side's backline.

Innes Senior and Barron both denied each other certain tries with last-ditch tackles in the corner at either end with the half-time hooter looming.

Hull started the second half with purpose and sensed an opportunity to restore parity again, but were denied a try for offside and then again by more excellent Castleford defending on the line.

But it was the visitors who added to their lead. Asi pierced through Hull's back line yards from the line. Suddenly, Castleford's lead was 12 points, after another successful Milnes kick.

Victory appeared secure when Amone powered over the line next to the posts, compounding a miserable night for Hull, which was littered by mistakes.

Martin hit straight back with a quickfire double to give the Black and Whites hope, running clear to score in the corner twice, but Sezer's missed conversions proved costly.

Castleford Tigers' win at Hull FC means their opponents are still without a home win this season

Post-match reaction

Hull FC coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside:

"I'm really disappointed. We had a lot to play for tonight.

"I don't think it was a lack of effort, it was just really poor execution, individual errors. Things happened on the field I haven't seen from us all year in terms of mistakes. We gave them a lot of opportunities.

"It was our worst performance of the year in terms of errors in our own half. It wasn't meant to be; we didn't play well enough to win. We could have made it interesting at the end but it wasn't our night."

Castleford Tigers coach Danny McGuire speaking to BBC Radio Leeds:

"I'm really pleased. It was a spirited, detailed performance. We did good things offensively and defensively with a lot of commitment.

"It has been building. Our preparation has been good and the players did their talking on the field. That is nice for a coach.

"We have got a tough block of games coming up. We are in a good place to attack that. Everybody was strong tonight; we need everyone to contribute for a win."

Hull FC: Rapana; Barrow, Briscoe, Litten, Martin; Cust, Sezer; Ese'ese, Bourouh, Knight, Hardaker, Chamberlain, Aydin

Interchanges: Ashworth, Balmforth, Laidlaw, Eseh; Charles

Castleford: Cini; Simm, L. Senior, Wood, I. Senior; Asi, Milnes; Amone, Horne, Singleton, Lawler, Mellor, Atkin

Interchanges: Westerman, Griffin, Hall, Hill; Okoro

Referee: Liam Rush