The Good
Hull FC’s defence was simply epic against Castleford yesterday, playing 58 minutes with only 12 men. Liam Watts got his marching orders in the first half after a high shot on Luke Gale. At that point the home team were 18-0 in front after a great start, but the Tigers clawed back to make it 20-14 at half-time.
Castleford threw everything but the kitchen sink at Hull in the second half, throwing the ball around and testing the Black and Whites’ defence around the edges constantly. But Hull held on, working their socks off to slide and throw their bodies in front of the Cas charge. Most Super League teams have enough trouble containing the Tigers with 13 players, let alone 12, but Lee Radford’s side did it for nearly 60 minutes. It was a tremendous effort that deserves praise, and they also did it without their Man of Steel Danny Houghton. Only a couple of weeks ago Hull conceded 106 points in two games, so this was some turnaround. It could be a season-defining moment from the team from East Yorkshire.
Also hats off to Widnes, who bagged their second win of the season on Friday, and Warrington who continue their match up the ladder. The Vikings knocked off St Helens, with returning half Joe Mellor playing a big role. The Vikings young players thrived, with Matt Whitley making 43 tackles, while fullback Rhys Hanbury was back to his best. He made 152 metres, four tackle busts and three offloads. Warrington broke Wakefield’s heart to make it four wins in a row. They weren’t great against Trinity but importantly found a way to win.
The Bad
Is the Castleford bubble starting to burst a little? Daryl Powell’s team had all the possession and all the chances in the second half at the KCOM, but they panicked and their ball control was poor. With a numerical advantage for three quarters of the game they really should have won. This defeat was their second in a row and their third of the season. It is hardly panic stations though, as they remain on top of the Super League table with great points difference than Leeds. The Tigers have lost games by the margins of two, four and one point in 2017, suffering no blowouts. Powell won’t be overly concerned, as they were bound to have a dip at some point, but maybe they are losing their sheer of invulnerability a little.
The Ugly
With a shortened Super League round because of Challenge Cup action, there was no shortage of controversy in the Cup. Swinton upset Huddersfield, heaping more pressure on Rick Stone. Hull KR also beat Leigh, making it six losses in succession for the Centurions. And then at the AJ Bell Stadium Justin Carney was red carded for allegedly racially abusing Toronto prop Ryan Bailey. If guilty, Carney deserves a long ban. There is no place in rugby league for racism.
The decision to send Watts off against Castleford was a controversial one. At first glance there looked to be little in it. After the game Radford told the media: “The official has done his utmost to put controversy on that game where it was not needed”. After watching the replay several times, it looks like the referee indeed got it right. Gale was slipping but Watts comes in with a swinging arm to his head. Either way, it reinforces that referees are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
