York Knights 18-24 Castleford Tigers: Match Report

York Knights lost narrowly by 24 points to 18 at home to Castleford Tigers in a tight game in Betfred Super League.

It took York time to settle after a start in which the Tigers had the better of possession and territory, but they still took a six point lead into half time.

They hung on to that lead until late in the second half when despite having a man sent to the sin bin, Castleford regained the lead and saw out the match for a win which takes them one place above York in the table.

The early pressure which the Tigers managed to build led to a quick try, when George Hirst took the pass from Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e to weave through a gap. Weaver added the goal.

The Knights were starved of the ball in the opening stages but when they got a chance in the Tigers’ 10 metre area they took it, with King Vuniyayawa storming on to a Paul McShane pass. Hunter converted and the scores were level.

After a more settled period followed, but back to back penalties allowed Castleford to edge ahead again, with Weaver tagging on an extra two points from in front of the posts.

WIth Cas still enjoying the better of the possession, it was then a lovely flowing move across the field that brought the next try. Jason Quareqare squeezed the ball down at the corner, despite the attention of Toa Mata’afa. Weaver couldn’t convert from the touchline.

York’s chances in the Cas half were still proving hard to come by, but again when they got there, they scored. Former Tiger, Sam Wood forced his way over through defence on the last of the set, and Hunter converted to level the scores.

Gradually, the Knights started to get more share of the ball, and when Wood slipped out a reverse pass just short of the line, Scott Galeano collected to touch down for another converted try to put York ahead and take a six point lead in at the break after a see-saw first half.

Castleford looked to have narrowed the gap soon after the restart, after confusion under a high kick on the last led to Laulu-Togaga’e touching down, only for the video referee to rule the score out.

However, they weren’t to be denied when Renouf Atoni took a short ball close to the line and crashed over. Weaver, though, couldn’t convert what looked like a straightforward attempt, and the Knights still led by two.

Castleford were still getting the better of the territory and testing the York defence, but despite some big hits in the build up, they couldn’t stop Brock Geacen from getting the ball down, and Castleford were back in front with a converted try.

Another penalty in front of the posts from Weaver meant there were six points between them with just over a quarter of an hour to go, and it could still have gone either way.

With York captain, Jesse Dee already off the field with a head knock, Justin Sangare also soon followed for an HIA moments after coming on from the bench. Cas forward, George Hirst was yellow carded for that challenge. With Paul Vaughan also down the tunnel for an assessment, York were left short on numbers.

Despite this, the Knights continued to try and press to find a way through, but as the clock ran down they couldn’t find the crucial score they needed to deny Cas the win.

York: Mata’afa, Galeano, Wood, Buchanan, Nofoaluma, Hunter, Roberts, Martin, McShane, Vaughan, Foster, Dee, Vuniyayawa

Subs:(all used) Balmforth, Va’a, Sangare, Hingano

18h Player: Dagger

Tries: Vuniyayawa (9), Wood (27), Galeano (35)

Goals: Hunter (3/3)

Castleford: Laulu-Togaga’e, McIntosh, Cini, Mapapalangi, Qareqare, Asi, Weaver, Dupree, Golding, Stimpson, Hirst, Mellor, Lane

Subs: (all used) Atoni, Lawler, Greacen, Robb

18th Player: Hall

Tries: Hirst (6), Quarequare (20), Atoni (49), Greacen (59)

Goals: Weaver (4/6)

Sin Bin: Hirst (66)

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