Castleford kept their hunt for a top five finish with a 20-6 win over strugglers London. The Broncos remain two points adrift at the bottom of the table. Here’s how the match unfolded.
MATCH DETAILS
A 6-4 lead at half-time couldn’t be extended by London and Castleford went on to complete the win with a solid second half display.
The Broncos opened the scoring through new signing Brock Lamb. The former Sydney Roosters halfback signed for London at the end of July and looks to be making a difference already. Kieran Dixon converted his try.
This lead was cut short just four minutes later when Tuoyo Egodo finished out wide. With a missed conversion, the Broncos went into half-time 6-4 up.
Head coach Daryl Powell must have had a strong half-time team talk as the Tigers started the second half strong. Just three minutes into the half, Oliver Holmes added Castleford’s second of the evening.
Eight minutes later, Jacques O’Neill scored his first Super League try, with Jamie Ellis getting his first conversion of the match.
The Tigers looked like they had control before Egodo added his second in the 63rd minute. Ellis converted once again to give the Tigers a 20-6 lead, which was the winning score at full-time also.
FOUR POINTERS
The race for the top five
With Castleford winning, the race for the top five is tighter than ever. With Saints finishing top, that leaves four places up for grabs with six teams vying for them: Warrington, Hull, Wigan, Salford, Catalans and the Tigers. It’s set to be an exciting end to the season.
The fight for survival
As much as the battle for the play-offs is tight, as is the fight for staying in Super League. The Broncos may be two points adrift of Hull KR, Wakefield and Huddersfield but many of the bottom teams have to play each other in the next few weeks. It could even come down to the final round of the season.
London need full 80 minute performance
There is no doubt that London have plenty of team spirit and desire but it is evident that they are lacking when it comes to giving a full eighty minute performance. They have lost 17 games this season and have conceded 712 points so far.
Lack of consistency from Cas
If the Tigers had kept up appearances all season long, they could have a confirmed play-off spot. They have lost to Hull KR and Leeds in recent weeks, yet have beaten Warrington. Powell’s side are a shadow of their former selves but there is hope that they can improve.
THE RESULT
Castleford 20
Tries: Egodo 2, Holmes, O’Neill
Goals: Ellis 2
Drop Goals: n/a
London 6
Tries: Lamb
Goals: Dixon
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Castleford: Rankin, Clare, Mata’utia, Blair, Egodo, Trueman, Ellis, Clarkson, McShane, Millington, Holmes, McMeeken, Massey.
Interchanges: Sene-Lefao, Maher, O’Neill, Smith.
London: Walker, Dixon, Fleming, Kear, Williams, Abdull, Lamb, Mason, Cunningham, Butler, Pitts, Adebiyi, Yates.
Interchanges: Battye, Ioane, Fozard, Krasniqi.
