Hurt in Hull for Cas
High-flying Castleford saw their dreams of a treble dashed with an enthralling 32-24 loss to Hull FC at the KCOM Stadium. This was an epic clash that had a touch of everything - dogged determination, brilliant play, great tries, brutal defence, tense moments – you name it.
Hull started like a house on fire, going out to a 12-0 lead thanks to a Carlo Tuimavave intercept and a soft Fetuli Talanoa try. But the Tigers reeled them in thanks to Ben Roberts and Zak Hardaker. The full-back’s try, off Luke Gale’s smart kick, saw it back to 12-12 before a Jake Connor penalty edged the hosts in front 14-12 at the break.
@jamieshaul's try that sealed a semi-final spot for @hullfcofficial
Another penalty followed, before Roberts’ second four-pointer had it all tied up again and Gale’s conversion put Cas in front for the first time. But Mahe Fonua – the man of the match – went over in the 65th minute and then Jamie Shaul finished off a marauding Danny Houhgton run to have the Black and Whites’ fans singing.
As the clock away Greg Minkin pulled a try back but Hull would not be caught. This is the second time that the Airlie Birds have beaten the Tigers in 2017. They are becoming Daryl Powell’s bogey team with their monster outside backs and big forward pack.
Wigan escape
Nail-biting, nervous, tense. It was squeaky-bum time at the Halliwell Jones Stadium as Wigan edged Warrington 27-26 in a rerun of last year’s grand final. It shouldn’t have been so edge-of-your-seat in the final minutes had Joe Burgess not kicked out on the full from his kick off to give Warrington a late chance. Then when Stefan Ratchford’s long-range penalty attempt missed Wigan inexplicably took the ball out, giving the Wolves one more shot at a drop goal. But Declan Patton’s kick sailed wide and Wigan were through by the skin of their teeth.
A crazy finish to the @wolvesrl v @WiganWarriorsRL match earlier - here are the closing stages
Apart from the frenetic end, the highpoint was the successful return of Sam Tomkins after a long absence with injury. It was his one-pointer with seven minutes to go that sealed it for the Warriors. Before that both teams had traded tries but it was a match where defence was wanting. Both sides can play at a much higher level.
Salford strike
On Thursday Salford pulled off an impressive 80 minute performance to dominate Wakefield. Trinity couldn’t score until the final stages such was the Red Devils’ control in this match. Salford were up 20-0 at half-time, thanks to Ryan Lannon, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Niall Evalds, and the game was effectively over.
Greg Johnson and Craig Kopczak continued the carnage in the second half before Liam Finn managed a consolation try. Wakefield were out on their feat and couldn’t meet the Red Devils’ onslaught.
@SalfordDevils' Robert Lui wasn't in the mood for one yesterday 🔴⚫
But it was Salford’s day to shine as they booked a spot in the first Challenge Cup semi-final in 19 years. They will face Wigan next up at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, a team they most recently defeated back in May. Wembley is not far away.
Rovers rolled
The most predictable of results came on Friday when Leeds smashed Featherstone. The Rhinos put 58 points on their dual registration partners, who unfortunately weren’t able to call on several of their Leeds-owned players that they used regularly.
Brian McDermott’s side ran in 10 tries in a one-sided affair. Liam Sutcliffe had a field day, scoring one try and landing nine shots at goal from 10 points to finished with 22 points. Leeds progress on to the semi-finals and will meet defending champions Hull FC at Doncaster. This all-Yorkshire affair should be one to savour.
