Castleford Tigers 28 Bradford Bulls 22: Castleford battle and increase woes felt by Bulls

Returning England centre Michael Shenton showed his finishing prowess with a hat-trick to earn them a third successive win and take them to within a point of the top eight.

Only time will tell how fragile Bradford recover from yesterday's defeat which should have been the point when they give their own campaign a kick-start.

Instead, they spluttered in the sun and looked like a side that has now suffered six consecutive losses; with any confidence they would have grasped this edgy, close contest but instead they wilted.

When battling Castleford were reduced to 12 men, the visitors failed to capitalise and, indeed, saw a 10-8 advantage levelled up. But after Steve Menzies – the one Bulls player retaining his true class – brilliantly created Brett Kearney's 63rd-minute try to put them 18-12 ahead they just required composure.

However, as they had throughout, they followed up one positive action with a negative. Wayne Godwin was the guilty party as he squandered possession in the re-start set and, soon after, the unlikely figure of Castleford prop Mitchell Sargent launched a pinpoint crossfield kick for Kirk Dixon to leap high above the rooted Dave Halley and score.

Dixon converted but Castleford, who defended magnificently, tried their utmost to help their West Yorkshire neighbours back in, confusion between Rangi Chase and Sargent seeing the kick-off roll dead.

Again, Bradford – strengthened by the return of captain Andy Lynch, Jamie Langley and Michael Platt – could not penetrate.

Steve Snitch eked out another opportunity for Shenton which he duly finished with seven minutes to go.

Desperate Bradford tried a short re-start but failed and Castleford marched downfield once more with Shenton beating Kearney to take Ryan McGoldrick's kick and complete his hat-trick.

Joe Westerman finally managed a conversion – he missed four of his five attempts and fell over in the process of one effort – and Castleford's success was complete.

Paul Sykes's raking pass saw ex-Tiger Michael Platt scurry over in the penultimate minute but erring Bradford left themselves too much to do.

They had been fortunate to be 10-8 ahead at the break.

They scored first through Elliott Whitehead after only six minutes, the 20-year-old second-row spinning out of Shenton's tackle to discover a clear 15 metre run to the posts, Sykes converting.

But it was Castleford – with half-back combination of Chase and Dean Widders offering guile and power – who engineered most chances with Shenton quickly atoning for his error.

McGoldrick linked with Widders whose excellent long pass got the centre, back after missing the previous week's win over Salford with a knee injury, on the outside of Halley to slide over.

Michael Platt and Rikki Sheriffe had to scramble to deny young Castleford centre Joe Arundel after Chase crafted another opportunity and, after Bulls' Glenn Hall lost possession on the first tackle, Kearney did brilliantly to somehow hold Widders up over the line.

However, more weak defence saw Castleford secure their second try on 16 minutes.

Chase stepped clear of Platt before brushing off Sykes to sneak over and, soon after, Dixon nearly reached another penetrative kick from Chase.

When Bradford did finally gain some position Menzies's long pass saw Dixon come in off his wing and crunch Chris Nero but he failed to secure the ball and the centre managed an off-load for Menzies to score.

Brett Ferres was yellow-carded for a needless off-the-ball challenge on Godwin four minutes before the break but the visitors could not hurt the Tigers.

Sykes bombed one chance by ushering a pass forward to Mike Worrincy, the second-row who later wasted another position with a soft knock-on.

Indeed, Castleford had the best chance to score while they were under-manned but Westerman screwed a penalty wide to leave them trailing at the turnaround.

Menzies produced an outstanding tackle early in the second period to deny McGoldrick after Craig Huby had smuggled a fine off-load under the posts but Castleford levelled – just before Ferres returned – at 10-10.

With Westerman relieved of kicking duties, Dixon slotted a penalty but Sykes put Bradford back ahead on 50 minutes after McGoldrick was pulled for a grapple tackle in front of the posts.

Kearney's mazy 65-metre run, after being put into space by Platt's clever ball ended inches short of the line with Michael Wainwright's desperate tackle but Arundel was lucky not to be given a yellow card himself for a professional foul when he was penalised for offside as the visitors tried to finish off.

Another penalty by Dixon made it 12-12 before Kearney latched onto Menzies's weaving run, Sykes converting, but Castleford finished strongest.

Castleford Tigers: McGoldrick; Dixon, Shenton, Arundel, Wainwright; Widders, Chase; Higgins, Hudson, Huby, Ferres, Snitch, Westerman. Substitutes: Sargent, Jones, Jackson, Wood.

Bradford Bulls: Kearney; Sheriffe, Platt, Nero, Halley; Sykes, Southernwood; Lynch, L'Estrange, Hall, Whitehead, Langley, Menzies. Substitutes: Kopczak, Worrincy, Godwin, Addy.

Referee: Ben Thaler (Wakefield)

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Michael Shenton

The international centre's hat-trick proved decisive as Castleford Tigers edged past Bradford Bulls but his defensive work was excellent as well. His talent will be sorely missed if he leaves The Jungle.

Villain: Dave Halley

The Bradford winger was exposed defensively for a number of Castleford's tries, either by Michael Shenton or Kirk Dixon. Needed to be stronger.

Verdict

Castleford Tigers are gathering momentum and, with Rangi Chase a constant threat, just did enough to secure victory.

But Bradford Bulls, while rueing some costly unforced mistakes, know this was the best opportunity they have had yet to break their losing run.

Key moment: 73rd minute

Michael Shenton's second try put Castleford ahead for only the second time and battled to ensure they would not lose the advantage.

Next games

Next Sunday: Castleford v Huddersfield (3.30) and Bradford v Hull (3).

Quote of the day

We've struggled with our last plays but Sarge showed us how to do it – I don't think he's going to get the job next week though.

Coach Terry Matterson on prop Mitchell Sargent's unexpected kick for Kirk Dixon's try.