Castleford skipper Andrew Henderson celebrates victory

Castleford: (13) 42
Tries: Wainwright, McGoldrick, Guttenbeil 2, Shenton, Westerman, Clayton
Goals: Brough 6
Drops: Brough 2

Widnes: (4) 10
Tries: Nanyn, Wilkes
Goals: Nanyn

Castleford Tigers secured a quick return to Super League after beating Widnes in the National League One Grand Final at Headingley.

Terry Matterson's side enjoyed the bulk of first-half possession but only held a 13-4 interval lead.

But they ran riot after the break with Awen Guttenbeil going over twice and Michael Shenton, Joe Westerman and Ryan Clayton also scoring.

Danny Brough, who is leaving the club to join Wakefield, kicked 14 points.

The former Hull half-back was involved in five of the Tigers' seven tries and was a unanimous choice for man of the match.

Castleford's record score eclipsed their 36-8 rout of Whitehaven in the 2005 final and coach Matterson admitted his side's performance was close to perfection.

"Danny Brough was outstanding but he couldn't have done it without the platform laid by the forwards, who were magnificent," he said.

"We've had a couple of ups and downs this year but it's about getting it right for this game. We've worked hard for 12 months for this performance. "We can now put the demons of the last 12 months behind us and move on."

606: DEBATE Well done to the Tigers - now the hard work begins ST

But there was plenty of sympathy for the Widnes players who suffered final heartbreak for the second successive season after losing to Hull KR 12 months ago.

It was also a disappointing day for Vikings coach Steve McCormack who has now lost four Grand Finals in a row, having experienced defeat with Whitehaven in 2004 and 2005.

"We saved our worst performance for the most important game of the season," he admitted. "It's hard for anybody associated with Widnes to take. "Castleford were far superior from the first second to the last. I thought they were fantastic."

Meanwhile, Featherstone will join champions Celtic Crusaders in National League One next season after beating Oldham 24-6 in the League Two play-off final.

Centre Wayne McHugh scored two of his side's three tries as Rovers secured promotion after two years in the bottom division.

Castleford: Donlan, Williams, Shenton, McGoldrick, Dixon, Thackery, Brough, Higgins, Henderson, Guttenbeil, Westerman, Clayton, Lupton.
Replacements: Leafa, Charles, Wainwright, Boyle.

Widnes: Grix, Blanch, Kohe-Love, Nanyn, Dodd, Moran, Penny, Cassidy, Smith, Wilkes, Tomkins, Noone, Beswick.
Replacements: Summers, James, Webster, Doran.