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The local rivals served up an absolute cracker of a game played in awful conditions as the heavens opened over West Yorkshire. A real 'Rumble in The Jungle' saw the Rhinos take the 2 points with a last second Kevin Sinfield penalty, after Michael Shenton had been penalised for offside, by 24 points to 22. The Tigers named the same 17 that had beaten Halifax the previous week meaning they lined up still minus skipper Ryan Hudson, Dean Widders, Kirk Netherton, Craig Huby and Richard Owen, whilst the visitors arrived at full strength, after a week off, and were able to boast the likes of Danny Buderus, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow and Sinfield. With the wet conditions causing problems for both sides, the tone was set when Scott Donald fumbled a Brent Sherwin kick as early as the 2nd minute and throught the evening handling became even more difficult, although this in some ways just added to the spectacle. The Rhinos took the lead as early as the 6th minute when Burrow wrong footed the Tigers defence before sliding over from close range. Sinfield converted from beside the posts again and was on time 2 minutes later converting a McGuire try. A Sinfield kick was comfortably taken by Ryan McGoldrick and as the full back brought the ball back he was met by a crunching 2 man tackle and the ball came free. Ever the optimist, McGuire scooped up the loose ball and raced in for the try and at 12-0 with only 9 minutes on the clock things looked pretty grim for Cas. Four minutes later and it got worse for the home side as a penalty gave Leeds good field position. The ball went through the hands of Buderus, Sinfield, Brent Webb, Ali Lauitiiti before Keith Senior sent Ryan Hall in for the 3rd Leeds try. Sinfield couldn't add the extras but the lead was now 16 points. Cas hit back almost immediately as Sherwin's kick was fielded by Webb. From the resulting play the ball Ryan Hall knocked on and Stuart Jones kicked the loose ball over the Rhinos line to beat the chasers for Cas' first score. Kirk Dixon converted and the Tigers sensed they were back in the game. Cas continued to press but were unable to add to their score until with Sherwin, McGoldrick and Chase all probing but McGoldrick's involvement was to be cut short as he sustained a damaged stomach muscle, clashing with Lee Smith chasing a Sinfield kick. James Ford replaced McGoldrick and the Rhinos had also been forced into change losing both Burrow and Donald to injury. A McGuire kick ricocheted off Liam Higgins. Buderus and Chris Feather challenged for the ball as it crossed the Tigers line. Referee Ian Smith handed on to the video ref who decided 'No Try' and awarded Cas the scrum although it looked as though the Rhinos hooker should have been ruled offside. The game now was end to end and it was Cas who struck next. James Evans was tackled close to the line and Chase picked up from dummy half. A delightful little kick to the corner saw Dixon dive and ground the ball with only inches to spare. Again the decision was left to the video ref to confirm. Dixon couldn't add the extras from the touchline but the game was now poised at 16-10 in the Rhinos favour, and it remained that way until the break. With the 2nd half only 3 minutes old the impressive Chase dummied his way through a gap in the Leeds defence to dive under the posts and with Dixon converting the scores were tied at 16 each. Five minutes later and Leeds were back in front. McGuire, so often a thorn in the Tigers side, struck again. His kick through bounced off the outstretched leg of Sione Faumuina and back into his arms giving him an easy run in for a try which Sinfield again converted. Joe Westerman drove towards the Leeds line and an inch perfect kick from Sherwin saw Dixon leap to take close to the line. The Tigers winger was clearly taken by Hall whilst in the air but Smith ruled a knock on instead of a penalty and the Rhinos were able to clear their line. Ford caught a high kick from Sinfield behing his own goal line and from the 20 metre restart Sherwin's quick thinking put Cas on the front foot as he went for an 'Optional Restart' finding touch in the Leeds half. Moments later the scrum half's kick was forced dead as Cas worked hard to get back on terms. On 66 minutes the scores were level. Typically it was another Sherwin kick that caused problems as Webb failed to deal with it. Smith was unable to deal with the loose ball as Shenton followed up to toe the ball over the line to score close to the uprights. Dixon converted to make it 22-22 Sherwin then sent Brett Ferres charging through a gap. With the cover closing in Ferres spotted Jones on his inside but the pass went astray and a chance was bombed. With both teams desperate to snatch the points Sinfield had a drop goal attempt charged down whilst a Sherwin effort drifted wide. As the game entered its final minute it looked like a draw would be the outcome especially as Sherwin's kick went dead. Leeds moved the ball on the 3rd tackle and Senior broke down the left with McGuire and then Hall carrying the ball into the Tigers half. McGuire then kicked deep and Sherwin looked to have the ball covered but as he dived to gather up possession it squirmed out of his grasp, leaving Shenton with no alternative but to concede the penalty. On another day the Tigers scrum half may have chosen to hoof the ball out of play but hindsight is a wonderful thing and Sinfield won the game converting the opportunity. Defeat was rough on Cas as they put in so much hard work and on reflection a draw would probably have been the fairest outcome. Chase was the standout for the Tigers with Jones, Feather and Mitchell Sargent doing much of the graft up front. Westerman and Ferres also contributed well whilst in the backs Sherwin and Ford stood out. Next up is a difficult trip to high-flying Hull KR followed by the Challenge Cup Quarter Final tie against Huddersfield at The Galpharm Stadium. Terry Matterson will be hoping to get some of his troops back by then as well as hoping that McGoldrick's injury isn't as bad as first thought. Tigers: McGoldrick, Dixon, Evans, Shenton, Wainwright, Faumuina, Sherwin, Sargent, Chase, Higgins, Ferres, Jones, Westerman. Subs: Ford, Clayton, Feather, Boyle. Rhinos: Webb, Donald, Smith, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Kirke, Jones-Buchanan, Sinfield. Subs: Lauitiiti, Diskin, Ablett, Burgess. Referee: Ian Smith Attendance: 8082 Normytigers Man of the Match
1st Rangi Chase 3 points 2nd Stuart Jones 2 points 3rd Chris Feather 1 point
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