'A big win for us': Ryan Carr hails Castleford Tigers' spirit in dramatic derby against Leeds Rhinos

The Tigers twice clawed back a double-figure deficit to stun their West Yorkshire rivals in a dramatic Wheldon Road derby.

Jason Qareqare provided the knockout blow late on with his second try to secure a memorable 36-34 victory for the hosts.

“It was unreal," said Carr, who was forced to play Ashton Golding and Jack Brown in the back row due to injuries. "It’s a big win for us.

"We've been through a lot of adversity this week and during the game. To fight through it and find a way to win the game against the best team in the competition – we just won on effort, really.

"We had a bad start. We didn’t touch the ball for 10 minutes and it could have gone one of two ways. Earlier in the year it would probably have gone that way. This time we chose to do the tough part and work our way back into it. That’s what pleases me the most."

Castleford have struggled for consistent results but they have now beaten Leeds, Wigan Warriors and St Helens in Carr's first season at the helm.

The Australian has been encouraged by his side's recent form.

"I know we played badly and had a bad result at Magic Weekend but we also had three head knocks and other players really busted up," said Carr.

"Eight out of our last nine games, whether we've won or we've lost, in the last second of the game we had a chance of winning. That shows me that there's a lot of consistency around the group at the moment.

"There are some losses we know we could have been better in but I'm just really happy with the positions we're putting ourselves in now. Instead of it being over at half-time, the window is still open in the last minute of the game."

Leeds raced into a 16-0 lead inside the opening quarter and rarely looked in danger of coming unstuck against their near neighbours before succumbing to the inspired Tigers in a thrilling second half.

Brad Arthur's first concern was for the health of Danny Levi after the hooker left the field on a stretcher with a serious-looking neck injury.

Levi received on-field treatment by medics during a long delay before being taken to nearby Pinderfields Hospital for further checks.

“He’s gone to hospital and will need scans to rule out the neck," said Arthur. "That’s the concern at the moment.

“We’re hoping it’s all just precautionary. He’s got most of his feeling back – he's just a bit numb at times.

"It wasn’t nice and a few of the boys who went over to check on him had to walk away. I didn’t like the look of him when he came off the field but we just hope that he’s alright.”

The Rhinos lost their way after the stoppage, with Arthur accusing his side of neglecting their defensive duties.

"We just thought we could get it all done with our attack and unfortunately we can’t," added Arthur. "We’ve got to do it with both sides of the ball."