Tigers leave it late
Castleford avoided an eighth straight defeat as a last-minute try from Nick Youngquest clinched a dramatic 34-30 win over Hull KR.
Last Updated: 30/03/12 10:47pm
Castleford avoided an eighth straight defeat as a last-minute try from Nick Youngquest clinched a dramatic 34-30 win over Hull KR.
The Tigers finally registered a victory in front of their home fans this season thanks to a fantastic late comeback at the PROBIZ Coliseum.
They trailed 28-18 with 50 minutes gone in a see-saw contest, Kris Welham running in a hat-trick of tries to put the Robins firmly in control.
However Danny Orr crossed to get the hosts within touching distance before Youngquest ruined Rovers' hopes of an away triumph by diving over in the final minute.
Flying Robins
While Castleford finished strongly it had been Hull KR who had started the better, Lee Mitchell's error in losing the ball allowing Michael Dobson to put in Welham near the corner for a second-minute try.
The visitors nearly scored again two minutes later when Liam Salter narrowly failed to touch down Scott Murrell's clever kick.
Castleford hit back when Rangi Chase bamboozled the visiting defence with a diagonal run to set up winger Josh Griffin's ninth try of the season that Kirk Dixon converted from the touchline, making it 6-4.
The Tigers then had a let off when Dobson created an opening for Graeme Horne who dropped the ball over the tryline after Chase's ambitious pass had gifted the Robins possession.
But with Dobson dictating play, Hull KR did regain the lead in the 19th minute when Dobson and Shannon McDonnell sent in Welham for his second try.
Castleford did well to survive further Hull KR pressure before they went back in front in the 33rd minute when Chase's inch-perfect kick to the corner created a try for Youngquest, Dixon adding his second goal from out wide.
Rovers were rocked again five minutes later when Chase and Brett Ferres combined to send in full-back Richard Owen for a score that was goaled to put the Tigers 18-10 up.
Gap cut
Hull KR cut the gap to two on the stroke of half-time, however, when McDonnell set up Josh Hodgson, Dobson slotting over the kick that followed.
The game swung back the way of the Robins in the second half when Owen failed to deal with Murrell's high kick and the ball was scooped up by McDonnell, who passed on for Welham to complete his treble.
Lincoln Withers darted over to make it 28-18, but Castleford hit back when Chase's long pass sent Dixon tearing over.
When Dobson's 59th-minute penalty goal made it an eight-point cushion, Rovers would have had high hopes of clinging on.
But the Tigers struck back again two minutes later when Orr crossed and although McDonnell looked to have saved the day with a magnificent tackle on Owen, Youngquest grabbed the last-gap winner that Dixon converted.