Houghton pays credit to Castleford’s defence

Hull FC hooker Danny Houghton was disappointed with his sides narrow 24-22 defeat last night but paid credit to Castleford’s defence.

Lee Radford’s men trailed 20-4 at half-time, but in a frantic final 10 minutes they closed within two points of the league leaders only to run out of time.

“We just gave ourselves too much to do but in the last few minutes,” said Houghton.

“It took us too long to fall into shape and show what we are capable of. It’s not a situation we want to be in, chasing the game by that many points.

“We are very disappointed because we wanted to go for the League Leaders but it looks like Cas will get that now.

“But full credit to them, they have been brilliant this season and they are very clinical when they get the chances.

“They defended brilliantly but we just got going a little bit too late. When we play them again we know we have got to take our chances earlier on in the game.”

On the opposing side, Luke Gale picked up the man of the match award with a try and six goals in the game.

Speaking post-match he was critical of his teams second half display but was relieved to get the win and move eight points clear at the top of the table.

“We started well but in the second half we seemed to be hanging on,” Gale admitted.

“Credit to Hull, they are a great side and they came back strong there. It was pretty nail-biting at the end.

“We just couldn’t quite nail them down and think Daryl Powell may have got a may more grey hairs after that one. It was a real tight game.

“Credit to our boys that puts us a few more points clear now because they were second coming into this weekend so its a big boost.

“They have beat us both times we have played them this season so it was a massive result for us but it was a little too close for my liking in the end.”