Betfred Super League
Hull FC (6) 14
Tries: Batchelor, Barron, Martin Goals: Sezer
Castleford (12) 18
Tries: Atoni, Ravalawa, Hood Goals: Weaver 3
Castleford Tigers put their coaching problems aside as they beat Hull FC at the MKM Stadium to record only their third Super League away win of the season.
Boss Ryan Carr remains absent for personal reasons and former Huddersfield Giants number one Luke Robinson is cutting short a holiday to take training on Monday as their new assistant boss.
Cas, though, overcame all their difficulties as they scored tries through Renouf Atoni, Mikaele Ravalawa and Liam Hood and claimed the victory late on after trailing 14-12.
Hull were on a high after announcing Aussie legend Daly Cherry-Evans’ arrival next season but fell short, despite scoring through Joe Batchelor, Harvey Barron and Lewis Martin.
Castleford showed great professionalism in the face of all their off-field issues to score from their first attack after nine minutes when Atoni crashed over from close range through two Hull tackles, with Tom Weaver adding the two points.
The try spurred Castleford on and they deservedly added a second on 26 minutes, passing the ball along the line for winger Ravalawa to power over in the right-hand corner.
Hull were denied a score to haul themselves back into the game when Barron intercepted a pass and ran 90 yards to touch down, only for referee James Vella to rule it out for a late tackle by Batchelor.
Castleford added to the indignity when Weaver kicked a penalty to stretch the lead to 12-0 before the home side finally hit back four minutes before the interval.
This time Batchelor was the hero as he grounded Jake Arthur’s grubber kick, with Aidan Sezer adding the extras.
Hull continued their comeback in the 47th minute, thanks to another Arthur kick, and this time Davy Litten knocked it back for Barron to collect and crash over to cut Castleford’s lead to just two points.
The Tigers were creaking under pressure and the Black and Whites took the lead for the first time in the match when Martin went over in the left corner after 59 minutes for his fifth try in his last four games against Castleford.
To their immense credit, back came Castleford and hooker Hood managed to burrow his way over the line in the 68th minute to restore their lead, with Weaver kicking the two points to extend the lead.
They move up to ninth in the table, four points clear of Hull in 12th.
Hull FC: Moy; Barron, Litten, Romano, Martin; Arthur, Sezer; Ese’ese, Bourouh, Hill, Batchelor, O’Neill, Bell.
Interchanges: Cust, Lisone, Salabio, Sao; Kemp.
Castleford: Laulu-Togaga’e; Ravalawa, Mellor, Mapapalangi, Senior; Asi, Weaver; Atoni, Hood, Lawler, Lane, Hirst, Stimson.
Interchanges: Ashworth, Robb, Dupree, Brown; Hall.
Referee: James Vella.
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