Crusaders (16) 22
Tries: Quinn, Peek, Tangata-Toa, O'Hara Goals: Quinn 3
Castleford (12) 34
Tries: Boyle, Evans, Dixon, Wainwright, Shenton, Sherwin Goals: Dixon 5

Michael Wainwright was among the scorers at Brewery Field

Castleford fought back from a first-half deficit to ensure the Celtic Crusaders are still without a win in Super League XIV.

The home side took a 16-12 half-time lead with tries from Damien Quinn, Adam Peek and David Tangata-Toa, while Ryan Boyle and James Evans scored for Cas.

A Ryan O'Hara try gave the Crusaders hope of a first-ever top-flight win.

But Cas sealed the match with tries from Michael Wainwright, Kirk Dixon, Michael Shenton and Brent Sherwin.

The victory sees Castleford climb to sixth in the league.

The Crusaders were 10-0 up within 15 minutes when stand-off Quinn crashed over following excellent work from captain Jace van Dijk, playing despite an ankle injury.

Second row Peek added a second with a powerful five-metre surge, with both scores converted by Quinn.

However, Sherwin took control and began to dictate the tempo of the match for Cas as Boyle went over before winger Evans added a second after an overhead pass from loose forward Ryan McGoldrick, with Dixon converting both scores.

But Tangata Toa broke a tackle and ran in to touch down from 40 metres just before half-time to ensure the Crusaders had a four-point advantage at the interval.

Castleford responded magnificently in the second-half when Dixon crashed over and converted his own try as the visitors regained the lead.

Scores from Wainwright and Shenton sealed the win before Sherwin touched down a thoroughly deserved try, while O'Hara grabbed a late consolation score.

Crusaders coach John Dixon:

"That's as close as we've been to securing a win against a quality team.

"We were in a position of a 22-12 lead and I would like to think we could have pushed on from that, but we didn't and full credit to Castleford.

"We need to learn and to adjust and to adapt. There's a whole process in there that we haven't grasped."

Castleford coach Terry Matterson:

"I'm really relieved, we were patchy at times but we stepped it up when we needed it.

"Everyone was setting us up to get beaten today and, the way the opposition played, we all but got beat.

"Our big players came out with the big plays at the right time and I'm just pleased to get out of here with a win."

Celtic Crusaders: Chalk, Dyer, Hannay, Dalle Cort, Ballard, Quinn, Van Dijk, O'Hara, Withers, Chan, Peek, Lupton, Beasley. Replacements: Bryant, Budworth, A. James, Tangata-Toa.

Castleford: Owen, Dixon, Evans, Shenton, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Netherton, Higgins, Jones, Faumuina, McGoldrick. Replacements: Ferres, Feather, Boyle, Ford.

Referee: T Alibert (Toulouse).

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version