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For the second week running Castleford Tigers snatched a late victory in dramatic style, in front of a crowd of 9158 at The Jungle, by 28 points to 26. With little over 10 minutes remaining on the clock Bulls sub Dave Halley went in at the corner for an unconverted try to extend their lead to 16 points. It looked like this would be the game clincher but the Tigers have great spirit and they dug deep into their resolve to blast back with 3 tries in 8 minutes all converted by Kirk Dixon take the spoils. Coach Terry Matterson was forced to make changes from the win at Hull a week earlier with Liam Higgins (injured), James Evans and Stuart Jones (both virus) missing out with Michael Wainwright coming in on the wing whilst Nathan Massey and Dean Widders made the bench. Joe Westerman was back in the starting line-up along with Craig Huby who swapped places with Chris Feather.
The Tigers applied the early pressure with Dixon missing with a 2nd minute penalty whilst after good work by Ryan McGoldrick, Westerman, Richard Owen Michael Shenton down the left set up the position for a superbly weighted kick from Brent Sherwin. Semi Tadulala fielded the kick but centre Chris Nero was forced over the goal line by Wainwright causing the Bulls to defend another set of 6. Wainwright then knocked on after Rangi Chase and Dixon had given the winger a difficult chance. Bradford hit back when Nero carried on a break to send an inside pass to Cas old boy Michael Platt to score which Paul Deacon converted to give the Bulls a 6 point start. It was end to end stuff for a while and Cas were soon back on level terms when Sherwin found skipper Ryan Hudson. His 'bounce pass' found Brett Ferres who got the ball away to Shenton who stepped past a couple of defenders for a score which Dixon converted. Two tries in 5 minutes saw the Bulls go 10 points clear as good work from Deacon, Ben Jeffries, Platt & Nero saw Tadulala score in the corner. Deacon couldn't convert but was on hand to add the extras when another ex Cas man Andy Lynch crashed over from close range taking Terry Newton's pass. With half time approaching Cas pulled back a score, Dixon going in at the corner for an unconverted try after good work from Sherwin & Chase. Shenton was then put on report for a massive hit on Deacon although there appeared to be little malice in the challenge as the scrum half was ducking down into the tackle. Bradford extended their lead within 2 minutes of the restart as Jamie Langley went through a gap to send Glen Morrison in for a try. In Deacon's absence Paul Sykes was unable to add the conversion but added a penalty goal after a bit of pushing and shoving between McGoldrick and Platt. A whole 20 minutes past before Halley's score after Newton and Steve Menzies combined to create the opportunity for a touchdown in the corner. Cas regathered possession from the kick off which lifted both the enthusiasm level on the pitch and the noise level off it. Dixon then added 6 points converting his own try magnificently from the touchline after a great pass from Widders had created the opportunity. Two minutes later The Jungle was bouncing as a Sherwin kick was brilliantly gatehered in by McGoldrick and the Aussie found Shenton who raced in for his 2nd of the game. Dixon again converted and the Bulls lead had been reduced to 4 points. Chase and Widders combined to send Dixon heading for his hat-trick but he was tackled into touch by the flag. As the game entered its closing moments the Tigers weren't to be denied with Chase dummying his way over brilliantly to tie the scores. With the pressure on Dixon's conversion edged Cas in front for the 1st time. That wasn't the end of the drama as Jeffries kick to the corner was taken by Halley who looked a certain scorer until Shenton was able to force the winger to step on the touchline before grounding the ball. What a game!! It was one of those that had everything with some impressive performances all over the park. Cas looked dangerous when McGoldrick, Sherwin & Chase combined, Dixon & Shenton were impressive and big efforts up front from Mitchell Sargent, Feather and Huby whilst Westerman worked tirelessly. Next up for the Tigers is a trip to Cougar Park for The Challenge Cup tie against Keighley. This may give an opportunity for a couple of fringe players, Terry Matterson will look to take a strong squad as Cas start out on 'The Road to Wembley' Tigers: McGoldrick, Wainwright, Dixon, Shenton, Owen, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Hudson, Huby, Ferres, Westerman, Faumuina. Subs: Feather, Widders, Netherton, Massey Bulls: Platt, Sheriffe, Sykes, Nero, Tadulala, Jeffries, Deacon, Burgess, Newton, Lynch, Menzies, Morrison, Langley. Subs: Halley, Worrincy, Kopczak, Scruton. Referee: G Hewer Attendance 9185 Normytigers Man of the Match
1st Chris Feather 3 points 2nd Michael Shenton 2 points 3rd Kirk Dixon 1 point
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