Hull too hot for Tigers

Hull recorded their first away success since last September in Super League's basement battle at the Jungle, beating Castleford 32-12.

The win for the injury-hit Airlie Birds, who lost Paul King and Richard Horne in the week, leaves the Tigers still stuck on the foot of the table.

Craig Hall bagged a brace while Danny Tickle kicked five goals to help ease any pressure on Hull coach Peter Sharp and end a four-game losing run.

Tries from loan signing Matt Cook and former Black and White Peter Lupton were scant consolation for Castleford, particularly as they came into the match having beaten St Helens in their previous outing.

Lucky break

It was Castleford who made the brighter start, Craig Huby's 10th minute penalty giving them a deserved lead and they were soon pushing hard at their opponents' try line.

However, in trying to keep the move alive Huby kicked the ball backwards away from his team-mates, allowing Hall to scoop up the loose ball and run away from three chasing Tigers to score the opening try.

Such a lucky break was just what the Airlie Birds needed and the confidence quickly spread back through the entire team.

Victimising Castleford's right hand side, Scott Wheeldon accepted Danny Houghton's quick offload from dummy half to dive over from close range.

It got even better for the visitors when a penalty right led to a crucial third on the final set of six before the break through full-back Motu Tony, who shrugged off the attentions of Richard Owen to cross for his first of the season.

As if trailing 18-2 wasn't bad enough, Castleford shot themselves in the foot at the start of the second half, a knock-on from the kick-off being followed by a penalty against captain Awen Guttenbeil.

Costly penalty

Tickle made them pay by adding the two easy points and at 20-2 the game looked to be over as a contest with nearly 40 minutes to play.

To their credit the home side did not give in and gave themselves a glimmer of hope through Cook, the new arrival from Bradford marking his debut by forcing his way over for his second try against Hull in successive matches after he had scored for the Bulls at the KC Stadium seven days earlier.

Only some superb defence from winger Gareth Raynor, who twice denied Kirk Dixon, kept the hungry Tigers at bay before Hull hit them with a sucker punch.

Jamie Thackray managed to get on the end of the man-of-the-match Shaun Berrigan's grubber kick to end any hopes of a Cas comeback.

Lupton managed a late consolation against his old club but it was Hull who had the last word with Hall's second of the night, Tickle slotting over the extras before the final hooter sounded.