Whitehaven 8 (0) Tries: Seeds, Calvert Castleford 36 (26) Tries: Davis 2, Crouch, Huby, Blanch, Haughey Goals: Huby 3, Fletcher 2, Hepworth

The Tigers, relegated from the top flight last season, set up the win with three tries in six first-half minutes, including one from veteran Brad Davis.

Davis went over for his second try early in the second half to put the game well beyond Whitehaven's reach.

Whitehaven were left shattered after a second consecutive Grand Final loss.

Australian Davis, 37, announced his retirement after a brilliant performance.

The half-back, who has also played for Huddersfield, York and Wakefield in a 15-year career, had a hand in all the scores.

There's no better way to finish Retiring Castleford hero Brad Davis

"You couldn't have scripted it any better," said Davis. "I was really nervous beforehand, realising it was my last 80 minutes.

"I started the season with one goal in mind which was to get Castleford back into Super League so it's mission accomplished and I can ride off into the sunset."

Castleford piled on the pressure from the start and took the lead with two penalties from prop Richard Fletcher.

As the Tigers began to exert their control, worse followed for Whitehaven when Leroy Joe was sin-binned and his absence allowed Craig Huby and Steven Crouch to capitalise and go over for tries.

The experienced Davis set up a score for winger Damien Blanch and then the 37-year-old swooped to intercept a Joel Penny pass and race 40 metres for the line and help the Tigers a 26-0 interval advantage.

Davis continued to exert his influence after the break, scoring his second interception try on 43 minutes after grabbing Spencer Miller's careless pass 30 metres out, and then combining with full-back Michael Platt to get second-rower Tommy Haughey over for the Tigers' sixth try.

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Late efforts by David Seeds and Craig Calvert were scant consolation for Whitehaven, who were beaten by Leigh in extra time 12 months ago.

Castleford coach Dave Woods, who has steered the Tigers to success in his first season at the Jungle, led the tributes to Davis.

"He's not bad for an old fella," he said. "I told him it would be his game.

"He's a big-game player and he's been doing it all year. I'm really proud of the the boys because they've done all the hard work."

Davis, who has coached Castleford's Under-21s this year, hopes to join the club's full-time backroom staff while Woods must also wait to discover if he has a future at the club.

"Nothing has been said so far," said Australian Woods.

"I think I've done a pretty reasonable job this year and I'd love to stay. It's a matter for the board to decide who is the best person for the job."

I can't knock the players' efforts Whitehaven coach Steve McCormack

Whitehaven coach Steve McCormack, who has been linked with the vacancy at relegated Super League club Widnes, praised his side.

"I can't knock the players' efforts," he said. "They've been great all year and what the club has achieved on and off the field over the last two years is fantastic.

"Today's result is disappointing. We were starved of the ball early on and, when we got the ball, we didn't do anything with it. But I must commend Castleford for the way they played."

Whitehaven: Broadbent, Calvert, Seeds, Nanyn, Wilson, Joe, Penny, Tandy, Sice, Fatialofa, Miller, Hill, Lester.
Replacements: Rudd, Summers, Chambers, Jackson.

Castleford: Platt, Pryce, Shenton, Hepworth, Blanch, Davis, Henderson, A. Watene, A. Smith, Fletcher, Haughey, Crouch, Bird.
Replacements: Handforth, Huby, Vowles, F. Watene.

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens)