Hull FC claim deserved win at struggling Cas

Betfred Super League

Castleford (6) 14

Tries: Milnes, Hoy, Simm Goal: Milnes

Hull FC (18) 24

Tries: Ese'ese, Sezer, Briscoe, Martin Goals: Sezer 4

Hull FC continued their strong start to the Super League season with a victory at struggling Castleford.

Herman Ese'ese barged over the line to give the away side the lead before Rowan Milnes levelled the scores.

Aidan Sezer went over under the posts and Tom Briscoe dotted down in the corner to put the Black and Whites 18-6 up at the break.

Innes Senior was sin-binned for the Tigers for a high tackle on Cade Cust, who was unable to play on, and Lewis Martin went over on the resultant play.

Sezer kicked a penalty to put the game beyond the hosts before former Hull FC man Tex Hoy produced a fine individual score and Josh Simm touched down for the Tigers to complete the scoring.

Hull FC have now won four of their six Super League games and are second in the early-season table behind unbeaten cross-city rivals Hull KR.

Cas on the other hand have lost five of their opening half dozen league games.

The game turned on Briscoe's try shortly before the break.

Daniel Okoro was penalised for an infringement at the play-the-ball just metres from the Hull FC try-line but home skipper Sam Wood elected not to use his captain's challenge when replays suggested there was no foul play and moments later the away side had extended their lead from six to 12 points.

Ese'ese marked his new three-year contract, announced just before kick-off, with a powerful finish despite the efforts of three Cas defenders to put John Cartwright's men in front.

The home side, who have only beaten beleaguered Salford this year, had made a decent start to the game though and levelled when Milnes finished after they moved the ball quickly through hands.

Briscoe's line-break set up Sezer for his first try of the season before the veteran got some points of his own from Cust's cut-out pass moments just after Okoro's perceived error.

Cust's evening was over shortly after the interval after he suffered a head injury in a tackle by Senior and the Australian will now have to sit out next week's Challenge Cup quarter-final with rivals Hull KR.

Martin's 11th try of the season in all competitions stretched their lead and Sezer kicked a penalty to put them in total control in between having hooker Amir Burough sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle.

Late scores from Hoy and Simm at least gave the home side's fans something to cheer but the game was out of reach by then, with Hull FC's attentions already turned to next week's big derby.

Castleford, knocked out of the cup by Championship Bradford, now have over two weeks to prepare for their next game when they welcome Leigh on Saturday, 12 April.

Hull FC prop Herman Ese'ese scored a try for the fourth successive game

Tigers 'not prepared to do the tough stuff'

Castleford Tigers head coach Danny McGuire told BBC Radio Leeds:

"I didn't think it was a great game and I thought we were poor for the majority of it. I think it's a bit of a cop out when you find energy in the 75th minute.

"We're not prepared to do the tough stuff at the moment.

"We've got some things to fix up and learning to do. We've got to have some harsh words. Some of the players are making the same mistakes week after week. We need to learn soon or it's going to be a long year.

"We start ok but as soon we get tired and get under pressure we crack. We're lacking toughness. The players care and they're trying their best but when we get put under pressure we struggle."

Hull FC head coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside:

"I was a bit worried coming into the game with a few injuries from last game and an enormous game coming up next weekend. I was hoping we could turn up here and do a job and then worry about next week and I think we did that to a fair degree.

"It became a bit of a slogfest towards the end but we came here to get a win on the board and we did that.

"I was disappointed with the last two tries

"The toll is starting to mount up injuries wise. We'd like to go one a run where we can start and finish a game as planned.

(On Ese'ese extending his deal) "It's massive for the club, I think he's the form front-rower in Super League at the moment. He's good to have around the club, never misses training and plays big minutes."

Castleford: Hoy, Simm, Cini, Wood, Senior, Asi, Milnes, Lawler, Rimbu, Singleton, Hodson, Mellor, Westerman.

Interchanges: Robb, Mustapha, Okoro, Griffin.

Hull FC: Rapana, Briscoe, Litten, Chamberlain, Martin, Cust, Sezer, Ese'ese, Bourouh, Knight, Fash, Lane, Asiata.

Interchanges: Ashworth, Eseh, Kirby, Moy.

Referee: Liam Moore.