| Hull KR Away |
For the first time this season the Tigers lost consecutive Superleague fixtures going down 16-6 against in-form Hull KR at Craven Park. Again the Tigers went with an injury ravaged line-up as Ryan McGoldrick joined the sick-list. Craig Huby returned from his lay off to take a place on the bench with James Ford slotting in at full back to replace McGoldrick. For Rovers Michael Dobson lined up at scrum half with the likes of Ben Galea, Sean Briscoe and Paul Cook in a near full strength line-up.
Rovers dominated early possession and field position with Dobson, Scott Murrell prompting and Daniel Fitzhenry and Galea effective.With only 5 minutes on the clock England winger Peter Fox scored in the corner after good work from Paul Cook, Scott Murrell and Sean. Dobson missed the conversion attempt from the touchline but the home side had an early 4 point lead. Rovers continued to hold the upper hand aided by some indiscipline from Cas who conceded penalties and at time wasted any possession they had. Solid defence from Hull KR also meant that Cas were unable to gain decent field position and too often were kicking from deep. As the half wore on Rangi Chase put Bret Ferres into a gap but the 2nd rower knocked on with the line open and a great chance went begging. A Brent Sherwin kick was left by Kris Welham and Chase gathered and put in a grubber kick to the corner. With Kirk Dixon looking to get on the end of it he looked to have been impeded by Fox and a penalty was awarded by ref Gareth Hewer, when many thought a penalty-try should have been the call. From the penalty Huby went close but Cas were unable to capitalise on the opportunity and the half ended with the home side back on the front foot though with the stats firmly against the Tigers they would have gone into the break pretty pleased to have only concede the 1 score. The 2nd half started in similar fashion to the 1st with an early score for the Robins. Dobson's neat kick was followed up by Briscoe who pounced for a try beneath the posts. Dobson converted and the home side now had a 10 point advantage. The Tigers are a resolute lot and and when Rovers lost possession Cas sensed an opportunity. After a good charge by Chris Feather, Chase went on a typical dart creating a 2 on 1 situation with Briscoe as prop Mitchell Sargent supported to take the pass and sore under the sticks. Dixon converted to reduce the arrears. The Tigers now had a spring in their step with Sargent making good yards and Sherwin and Chase prompting but couldn't turn the effort into points. Huby and Joe Westerman had both been stopped close before Rovers clinched the 2 points when Briscoe crossed for his 2nd after Stanley Gene had created the chance with a trademark run. Dobson again converted to make the final score Rovers 16 Cas 6. Superleague takes another week off as the Challenge Cup reaches the Quarter Final stage. A tough trip to Huddersfield awaits Cas in front of the TV cameras and Terry Matterson will be hoping that one or two guys back as they aim to reach the Semis for the 1st time since 2002. Tigers: Ford, Dixon, Evans, Shenton, Wainwright, Faumuina, Sherwin, Sargent, Chase, Higgins, Ferres, Jones, Westerman. Subs: Huby, Clayton, Feather, Boyle Hull KR: Briscoe, Fox, Webster, Welham, Colbon, Cook, Dobson, Fozzard, Fitzhenry, Newton, Galea, Walker, Murrell. Subs: Gene, Fisher, Aizue, Wheeldon Referee: Gareth Hewer Attendance: Normytigers Man of the Match
1st Rangi Chase 3 points 2nd Mitchell Sargent 2 points 3rd Craig Huby 1 point
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