Castleford Tigers 14-20 York Knights: Match Report

York Knights got their fourth win in Betfred Super League, beating Castleford Tigers 20-14 on a sweltering evening at the One Bore Stadium.

After a tight first half in which York went down to 12 men when Sam Wood was sin-binned, the Knights dominated the second period to outscore Castleford by three tries to one and hang on for the win, despite late Castleford pressure.

Coach, Mark Applegarth had Paul McShane available again after injury, and he came into the halves, with captain, Liam Harris named as 18th player. Sam Wood moved into the second row, and Scott Galeano shifted into the centres.

It turned into a much improved performance, in which the Knights dominated for long periods in the second half and laid the platform for two valuable points.

The opening minutes of the game were characterised by errors from both sides, as they struggled to settle and get through their sets. When a wild pass was picked up by Ash Goulding for Cas on the half way line, Cas built some pressure. From a Weaver kick, the ball was tapped back and Semi Valemei picked up to open the scoring.

A penalty gave York good field position, and on what was their first real chance in the Castleford 20 metre zone, they scored. Paul McShane laid off a little pass to the onrushing Cody Hunter to score. He converted to put York ahead.

Scott Galeano went close, chasing his own kick through, before the game stopped when Jason Qareqare needed treatment after a tackle from Sam Wood. That led to Wood being despatched to the sin bin, leaving York down to 12 men.

During this spell, York almost extended the lead, but McShane couldn’t get a clean hand on a kick through in goal from Nikau Williams.

However, Castleford went straight up the other end of the field and scored, with Qareqare taking a looping Laulu-Togaga’e pass to go in at the corner. Weaver added the goal.

With Wood now back on from the sin bin, York still had pressure to absorb in the hot and humid conditions. While they kept their line intact until the end of the half, they repeatedly had to start their sets deep in their own half of the field.

The Tigers still looked sharp at times with ball in hand as the second half got underway, but it was York who enjoyed the better of the early territory and started to dominate.

It led to a prolonged spell on the Tigers line, which eventually turned into points when Oil Field was put through a gap with a short pass from Hunter to level the game. Hunter couldn’t convert from the touchline.

Nikau Williams then went close but as he was held short, he managed to slip the ball to David Nofoaluma to dot down in the corner. Hunter added the goal from the touchline, and York were six points ahead with 15 minutes to go.

The Knights were still dominating, and when McShane put a high kick up to the corner, Scott Galeano leapt highest to claim the ball and score for a ten point lead.

Castleford weren’t done though, and when Semi Valemei got on the end of a bobbling kick for an unconverted try, we were set for a grandstand finish.

With less than two minutes to go, Qareqare dived for the corner, and after the video referee reviewed it, his effort was ruled out and York hung on to spark celebrations amongst the travelling fans.

Castleford: Laulu-Togaga’e, Valemei, Senior, Mapapalangi, Qareqare, Asi, Weaver, Lawler, Golding, Dupree, Hirst, Mellor, Stimpson

Subs: (all used) Atoni, Brown, Lane, Robb

18th Player: Greacen

Tries: Valemei (8, 74), Qareqare (27),

Goals: Weaver (1/3)

York: Mata’afa, Bennison, Galeano, Williams, Nofoaluma, Hunter, McShane, Martin, Inman, Va’a, Wood, Field, Thompson

Subs: (all used) Balmforth, Vaughan, Hudson, Reynolds

18th Player: Harris

Tries: Hunter (17), Field (56), Nofoaluma (64), Galeano (70)

Goals: Hunter (2/4)

Sin Bin: Wood (20)

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