Crusaders (12) 30
Tries: Hanbury, James, Hauraki, Martin, Sammut Goals: Schifcofske 5
Castleford (12) 24
Tries: Westerman, Widders, Shenton, Chase Goals: Westerman 4

Sammut is in his first season with Crusaders

Jarrod Sammut scored a late winner for Crusaders as they came from behind to beat play-off rivals Castleford on their return to South Wales.

The Tigers took control when Joe Westerman and Dean Widders crossed, but Rhys Hanbury and Jordan James touched down to make it level at the break.

Weller Hauraki and Tigers' Michael Shenton swapped tries and Rangi Chase gave Cas the lead.

But Crusaders turned it round through Tony Martin and Sammut efforts.

Crusaders were playing in Neath, their first game in South Wales since their switch to Wrexham at the start of the season, and started the day four points behind Cas, who occupied the final play-off spot.

And it looked like their hopes of extending their season were over when Westerman converted his own try and Widders met Ryan McGoldrick's kick to touch down, with Westerman adding two more points.

But Crusaders battled back, with Hanbury collecting a loose ball to cross and James driving over, Clinton Schifcofske converting both efforts.

606: DEBATE That was a game we really should have won and won quite easy. Them and Quins are our 'gimmies' tomleedsutd

Hauraki gave the Welsh side their first lead of the game after the break, with Schifcofske bringing his tally with the boot to six points.

But Tigers levelled it up when Shenton crossed through the posts and looked to have won courtesy of Chase's touchdown.

However Crusaders had other ideas and centre Martin latched onto a neat kick and grounded it, before Sammut touched down between the posts.

Castleford had a chance to rescue a point, but Westerman saw the ball turned over as he was ready to cross.

Crusaders coach Brian Noble said:

"We have got five games to go so our destiny is in our own hands [for the play-offs]. We are still throwing punches, which is really pleasing.

"We knew we would score some points today. You never know how many but our challenge was to stop a team which has been free-scoring even when they are getting beaten. They are averaging 30 or 40 points a game.

"We found enough reasons to get down to their end and post some points although I thought we were a bit scruffy in attack which might have been that element of anxiety because it was a must-win game."

Castleford coach Terry Matterson said:

"We had to overcome a few obstacles in that we lost our two front rowers at half-time.

"After a really solid start, I thought we could go on and get on with it. But credit to Crusaders, they hung on in there and got back to level and then went ahead of us.

"We showed some fight but the last 10 minutes was pretty diabolical, to be honest."

Crusaders RL: Schifcofske, Dyer, Martin, Mellars, Youngquest, Hanbury, Sammut, Peek, Withers, Bryant, Hauraki, Chan, Lupton.
Replacements: Lee, James, Winternstein, Trimarchi.

Castleford: McGoldrick, Dixon, Shenton, Ferres, Wainwright, Widders, Chase, Huby, Hudson, Jackson, Snitch, Clayton, Westerman.
Replacements: Sargent, Jones, Higgins, Thompson.

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens)

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version