Early drop goal backfires as Castleford fall to flying Hull KR who are ‘going places’

James Gordon

Photo by Craig Cresswell/News Images

It was a tale of two second half kicks as Hull KR edged a gritty encounter 12-7 away at Castleford in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Jacob Miller opted to take a drop goal on 58 minutes to nudge the Tigers 7-6 in front, such was the closeness of the game, which was Andy Last’s first in permanent charge of the hosts.

But the subsequent kick-off from Jordan Abdull was allowed to bounce out between Mahe Fonua and Kenny Edwards, laying the platform for Matt Parcell to score what would ultimately be the winning try of the game moments later.

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It means Hull KR have now won five in a row and are enjoying their best ever start to a Super League season.

They trailed in a closely fought first half when Edwards broke through on the left and found Miller in support. Although he was held up, a few tackles later, Miller’s kick was palmed back in his direction and he scooped up the loose ball to touch down.

A fine intervention by Tom Opacic denied Fonua in the corner and despite losing Liam Watts for 10 minutes for a late tackle on Abdull, Castleford retained a 6-0 lead at half-time.

Eight minutes after the restart, Corey Hall got over for his first try in Hull KR colours to level the score before Castleford suffered a blow when Joe Westerman was forced off with a concussion following a clash of heads with Kane Linnett.

Although the contact appeared accidental, the referee awarded a penalty but Castleford failed to make the most of it.

Sensing the close nature of the game, Miller added the drop goal to put his side in front only for it to backfire when his team-mates failed to regain the kick-off. A few tackles later, Parcell was allowed to dart out of dummy half and get over the top of a couple of defenders to touch down.

An Abdull 40/20 then set up another attacking platform and his short kick to the in goal was superbly picked up by Paul McShane to save the Tigers.

Hall should have had a second try when he spilled the ball with the line at his mercy, but it mattered not as the Robins saw the game out.

They did suffer a blow though when they lost full-back Lachlan Coote in the final 10 minutes following a clash of heads with Miller. There have been concerns over Coote’s future in rugby league due to repeated concussions sustained.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, man of the match Parcell said: “They were very physical to start with. We didn’t start the first half as we liked, we came out second half and played a lot better. The club is outstanding, it’s really going places and it’s great to be a part of it.”

Castleford: Eden, Faraimo, Mellor, Turner, Fonua, Miller, Broadbent, Lawler, McShane, Griffin, Edwards, Milner, Westerman. Subs: Matagi, Watts, Hall, Tate. 18th man: Johnson.

Hull KR: Coote, Kenny-Dowall, Opacic, C Hall, R Hall, Abdull, Lewis, Kennedy, Parcell, King, Batchelor, Linnett, Minchella. Subs: Litten, Storton, Hadley, Luckley. 18th man: Aydin.

Super League Castleford Tigers