Castleford Tigers 14 Leeds Rhinos 12: Ellis hits two late strikes to help secure deserved victory for Tigers

The Tigers were 12-10 behind until Ellis levelled matters with a 40-yard kick in the 74th minute.

He was on target again five minutes later with a kick from in front of the posts as the Tigers grabbed their first win since last July.

It was a deserved victory for the battling Tigers who were inspired by England stand-off Rangi Chase against an off-colour Leeds side.

Prop Jamie Peacock made his 200th appearance for the Rhinos who were quickly under pressure.

Castleford took full advantage when Chase’s superbly-judged kick set up a third minute try for Jordan Tansey that Ellis goaled.

Danny McGuire continued his excellent scoring run against the Tigers with his 23rd try in 19 games after cleverly swapping passes with Joel Moon.

Kevin Sinfield’s conversion levelled the scores but Castleford regained the lead four minutes later.

England half-back Chase again weaved his magic by bursting clear to create the opening for Jake Webster, who crossed to put the Tigers 10-6 up.

Leeds full-back Zak Hardaker had to be alert to hack Webster’s kick dead when the Tigers threatened again.

With Chase pulling the strings, the Tigers continued to cause the visitors plenty of problems and looked the more likely scorers.

The Rhinos struggled to put their game together and were often let down by handling mistakes in the slippy conditions.

They missed an excellent chance when Kallum Watkins threw out a wild pass to 22-year-old German international Jimmy Keinhorst with Castleford’s defence stretched.

The Tigers were the first to threaten in the second-half when Keinhorst lost possession 10 yards from his own try line, but Castleford then came under pressure after conceding four penalties.

The Tigers were reduced to 12 men in the 48th minute when substitute Nathan Massey was sin-binned for ball stealing.

Leeds quickly capitalised on the extra man when McGuire’s long pass sent in winger Ryan Hall at the corner and Sinfield added a touchline conversion to put the Rhinos in front for the first time.

Ellis was wide with a 40-yard penalty attempt after the Rhinos were penalised for a high tackle but he made no mistake with another kick from the same distance after Chase had put in a 40-20.

Castleford’s Oliver Holmes was tackled inches from the line before Ellis was on target with a winner after the Rhinos were penalised for not being square at a play the ball beneath their own posts.

Castleford Tigers: Tansey, Owen, Shenton, Webster, Carney, Chase, Ellis, Walker, Milner, Huby, Gilmour, Hauraki, Holmes. Substitutes: Clark, Millington, Massey, Thompson.

Leeds Rhinos: Hardaker, Keinhorst, Watkins, Moon, Hall, Sinfield, McGuire, Bailey, Burrow, Peacock, Delaney, Ablett, Jones-Buchanan. Substitutes: McShane, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch.

Referee: T Roby (RFL).