Tetley's Challenge Cup: Castleford Tigers see off Batley Bulldogs
Justin Carney grabbed a hat-trick of tries as Castleford brushed aside Batley 48-10 in the Tetley's Challenge Cup.
Last Updated: 06/04/14 6:21pm
Full-back Luke Dorn also touched down twice as the Tigers - flying high in Super League this year - made sure they avoided being on the wrong end of an upset at the hands of their Championship opponents.
Daryl Powell's side coped admirably in the first half playing up the famous Mount Pleasant slope to lead 12-6 before cutting loose after the break.
The Bulldogs did manage a very late consolation effort through Lee Patterson, but John Kear's troops were soundly beaten in front of a crowd of 2,482.
They fell behind after five minutes when Dorn broke the deadlock before Carney grabbed his first of the afternoon to round out the first quarter of the contest.
Bulldog pounced
Batley, who gave Huddersfield a fright in the cup last year, responded with a stunning solo try from Josh Griffin, who dashed nearly the full length of the field after pouncing on a loose ball near his own line.
Yet the Bulldogs had spent much of the first 40 minutes pinned in their own territory by Castleford's clever kicking game, leaving them facing a real uphill challenge when the teams turned around.
The Tigers were ruthlessly clinical in adding seven tries after the interval; Carney grabbed two of them as he prospered down the left flank.
Dorn went on to register his second of the afternoon and there were also scores for substitute Jamie Ellis and half-back Mark Sneyd, who kicked six goals to finish with a personal haul of 16 points.
Late efforts from Jamie Chase and Scott Wheeldon completed the scoring for Castleford, though it was Batley who had the last word when Patterson went over for a try he also converted.
