Castleford Tigers 28 Hull FC 32 - Jake Connor secures victory with late try

One of the many strange aspects of watching behind closed doors games – for those lucky few who get in – is hearing so much that is said on the pitch.

With that in mind, it was quite clear that Hull FC prop Scott Taylor was clearly disgruntled after Castleford Tigers’ Tyla Hepi hit him late in the back early on.

Understandably so, given it is a back injury that, until last night, had prevented the England international playing since the sport resumed in August.

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Referee Tom Grant did not intervene and it cannot be repeated in a family newspaper what Taylor shouted at his opponent who swiftly made his way back into the defensive line.

Castleford's Gareth O'Brien tackles Hull's Jordan Lane. Pictures: Jonathan GawthorpeCastleford's Gareth O'Brien tackles Hull's Jordan Lane. Pictures: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Castleford's Gareth O'Brien tackles Hull's Jordan Lane. Pictures: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Even if Wheldon Road was packed to the rafters with almost 12,000 fans inside, though, you would imagine still being able to hear Castleford coach Daryl Powell’s furious reaction after Hull were awarded a controversial try on the half-hour.

It was a bizarre scene; Hull’s Joe Cator had reacted to a late hit from George Griffin and Jacques O’Neill after he had passed the ball on, sparking a melee involving numerous players near halfway. In the meantime, though, the visitors carried on and broke down the right before moving the ball back infield.

Showing real prescience, Jordan Johnstone had already halted his part in the ongoing fight to actually suddenly sprint clear of the continuing kerfuffle to, instead, almost comically, charge up the middle and arrive just in time to claim the pass and go over for his first try in Hull colours.

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After it was awarded by the video official following numerous replays, an incandescent Powell slammed the bench, rose from his seat and could be heard bellowing at the officials.

Castleford's Adam Milner tackles Hull's Joe Cator.Castleford's Adam Milner tackles Hull's Joe Cator.
Castleford's Adam Milner tackles Hull's Joe Cator.

When Matt Cook, only just on for his first appearance of the season, was sin-binned for a marginally late hit on Cator in the 36th minute, Powell stormed down from the stand to remonstrate with reserve referee Ben Thaler.

Just minutes earlier, Hull – 12-6 down and under immense pressure before Johnstone’s try – had taken the lead via Marc Sneyd’s penalty after Nathan Massey was a split-second late on Johnstone.

Both could be argued as debatable calls and Powell was incensed although Cook’s challenge - as innocuous as it was - was the third of that type from Tigers in a short period of time.

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Ironically, the coach – already asked by the RFL to explain his comments about the standard of refereeing after last week’s loss to Huddersfield Giants – has been seeking more protection for his players being hit after the ball.

Castleford's Greg Eden can't stop Hull's Cameron Scott from scoring the game's first try.Castleford's Greg Eden can't stop Hull's Cameron Scott from scoring the game's first try.
Castleford's Greg Eden can't stop Hull's Cameron Scott from scoring the game's first try.

By the end, though, his team were left doubly deflated as they suffered a seventh defeat in eight games in dramatic style.

They were 26-16 behind heading into the final 10 minutes of a fractious, hot-tempered and brutal game but tries in quick succession from Mike McMeeken and Michael Shenton, converted by Gareth O’Brien, suddenly saw them lead.

Still, the irrepressib;e Jake Connor rose high to palm down Sneyd’s desperate short restart and, at the end of that set, it was Connor who latched onto Sneyd’s grubber for the decisive score in the 77th minute. Sneyd improved and England international Connor, coming to the fore, evn defused Castleford’s own short restart. He enjoyed one of his good nights.

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Interim Hull head coach Andy Last, therefore, racked up a fourth win in eight games and made it a dream night for Ben McNamara, the 18-year-old son of Catalans coach Steve McNamara.

The half-back - a late call-up after Jamie Shaul’s withdrawal and Manu Ma’u’s illness - scored a debut try when supporting Connor’s classy break just after the hour mark.

Hull had taken an early lead when Cameron Scott scored his first Super League try but that was quickly cancelled out when O’Brien made a coruscating break to feed McMeeken.

Castleford looked slick again as they shifted left and James Clare put Greg Eden speeding in, O’Brien making it 12-6.

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However, with Danny Richardson, Jake Trueman and Pete Mata’utia all out injured, Tigers were in desperate need of some half-back creativity. Makeshift half Paul McShane tried his best, forcing a couple of goalline drop-outs, but for all their pressure they came up with nothing.

The first time he fumbled with no one near and, second time around, Junior Moors knocked on trying to prevent the drop-out from bouncing into touch.

Chris Satae extended Hull’s lead at the start of the second period when Castleford also saw Jack Sanderson have an effort ruled out for double movement.

Grant Millington dummied over from close range but then came all that further drama.

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Castleford Tigers: Clare; Sanderson, Blair, Shenton, Eden; McShane, O’Brien; Griffin, Milner, Hepi, Moors, McMeeken, Millington. Substitutes: Massey, O’Neill, Cook, Peachey.

Hull FC: Buchanan, Faraimo, Fonua, Tuimavave, Scott, Connor, Sneyd, Taylor, Johnstone, Bowden, Lane, Savelio, Cator. Substitutes: State, Sao, Fash, McNamara.

Referee: Tom Grant (Leeds).

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Thank you

James Mitchinson

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