Castleford (10) 22
Tries: Jones, Dixon, Chase, Shenton Goals: Dixon 3
Leeds (16) 24
Tries: Burrow, McGuire 2, Hall Goals: Sinfield 4

Castleford had fought back in difficult conditions at the Jungle

Kevin Sinfield's last-gasp penalty gave Leeds victory over a brave Castleford.

Cas looked set to earn a draw with the scores level at 22-22, but Michael Shenton's mistake allowed Leeds to grab the win with the final kick.

It was harsh on the Tigers, who fought back from 16-0 down with tries from Stuart Jones, Kirk Dixon and Rangi Chase and Shenton at a sodden Jungle.

Rob Burrow, Danny McGuire and Ryan Hall crossed for Leeds, but they were grateful for Sinfield's late kick.

The match, played in torrential rain, had looked to be almost over as a contest early in the first half as Burrow, McGuire and Hall scored to put the Rhinos in total control.

Burrow took advantage of the weather conditions by jinking past two tackles and sliding over the line to open the scoring, and McGuire added to the lead when he picked up a loose ball and raced away to score.

And a swift break yielded a third try inside the opening 11 minutes, with Keith Senior's pass giving Hall the chance to cut back in off his wing and dart over.

But Jones got Cas back in the game as a Hall error gifted him the simplest of tries.

606: DEBATE You have to seriously ask yourself if there is a better game in the world than Rugby League after the show these two teams put on huddersfield1895

A clever kick from Chase allowed Dixon to slide in and dot down inches before the dead-ball line to give his side real hope going into the break.

And they continued in the same vein after the restart as the outstanding Chase dummied his way to the tryline.

McGuire restored the Rhinos' lead with a fortunate try as his attempted kick through bounced off a Castleford defender's leg and rolled invitingly for him to score.

The Tigers hit back to level again 12 minutes from time after Brent Webb slipped as he attempted to catch a towering kick and Shenton collected and scored.

Cas could have taken the lead for the first time soon after but Brett Ferres could not find Jones with his pass.

The match became a desperate battle to set up a drop-goal with both sides failing with efforts.

But with 79 minutes and 57 seconds on the clock, McGuire's kick ahead caused chaos and Shenton was penalised for offside after collecting the ball in the wake of Sherwin's spill.

Sinfield made no mistake with his kick to set the seal on a thrilling Super League encounter and break Castleford's hearts.

Cas coach Terry Matterson:

"It can be a cruel game at times. Probably 22-22 would have been a fair indication of the game.

"For large parts we were on top and I thought it was a cracking game of rugby.

"For both teams to play the rugby they did, it was pleasing on the eye. I don't think we deserved that but if we keep putting ourselves in that position we will get the bounce of the ball."

Matterson on the late penalty conceded by Michael Shenton: "He's devastated. He is a local lad and is gutted, he has grown up watching Leeds-Castleford derbies.

"But he had no choice. If he doesn't dive on it Leeds pick it up and score."

Leeds coach Brian McClennan:

"If we had lost in similar conditions we would have felt gutted.

"Cas played very well and we didn't get up their end often enough - but when we did we generally got points.

"I'm very relieved to get the win. For the first 10-15 minutes we were feeling pretty good about ourselves but then Cas made a great comeback."

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

Leeds: Webb, Donald, Smith, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Kirke, Jones-Bishop, Sinfield.
Replacements: Diskin, Lauitiiti, Burgess, Ablett.

Referee: T.J Smith (England)

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