Castleford Tigers capped off a thoroughly entertaining Magic Weekend opening day with a shock 26-24 victory over Leeds Rhinos at St James’ Park on Saturday evening.
Leeds, looking to pick up the pieces after their heartbreaking 13-12 golden-point extra-time defeat to St Helens last week, came into the game looking for a win that would see them move back towards the play-off pack while struggling Castleford simply needed to put some distance between themselves and basement club Wakefield Trinity.
Despite trailing by ten at one point, the Tigers pulled off a stunning late comeback over the pre-match favourites with a season best performance to clinch an unlikely victory and put an end to their six game losing streak.
In the fourth Magic Weekend meeting between these sides, first blood went to Rohan Smith’s Rhinos in the sixth minute courtesy of a Derrell Olpherts try. A tidy looping pass from Blake Austin gave the winger a walk-in against his former club with Rhyse Martin converting the following kick.
Jacob Miller brought the score level for the Tigers five minutes later after a break on the left flank from Jordan Turner set his side away. Gareth Widdop was at hand to successfully convert.
The Tigers took the lead soon after with their second try in as many minutes. Widdop sent the ball to Elliot Wallis for a wonderful try - his first in the top-flight - although the former’s conversion from the touchline was just wide.
The Rhinos took the lead again in the 36th minute. James Bentley, alert to a loose ball, touched down for the game’s fourth try, which was confirmed after a video check. Martin was once again able to add the extras.
After the break, Martin extended Leeds’ lead after a deft pass from Austin sent him over the line untouched, before he converted his own try.
Andy Last’s men reduced the deficit soon after with Alex Mellor getting on the scoresheet after a neat assist from Widdop. However, Widdop’s resulting kick came back off the post leaving Leeds with a four point lead.
The Rhinos found themselves ten ahead in the 63rd minute through Mikolaj Oledzki after he barged his way over the line. It followed some great work from Bentley, who fought his way through a number of Cas players to offload the ball. Martin had no trouble converting the extras.
Castleford refused to go down without a fight though and a second try of the day for Mellor set up a grandstand finish in the north east. Widdop added the extras to bring the game back to just four points.
Incredibly, the Tigers retook the lead when Jason Qareqare scored after a move to the right. Widdop was able to convert yet again to wrap up an incredible win for a Castleford side in desperate need of a boost after an underwhelming campaign so far.
Earlier on Saturday’s Magic Weekend schedule, in the battle between Super League second and third, Catalans Dragons put in a sensational performance to comprehensively beat Wigan Warriors 46-22 and go to the top of the table. However, Warrington Wolves can restore their two-point lead at the summit on Sunday when they take on Hull FC at 4.30pm.
Meanwhile, in the Magic Weekend opener, Salford Red Devils made it seven wins from their past eight after an impressive second half performance saw them come from behind to beat Hull Kingston Rovers 26-16 in a tense encounter.
The total attendance on day one of Magic Weekend was 36,943, a slight increase on last year’s opener.
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