Castleford Tigers 8-32 Hull FC: Highlights, player ratings and talking points

Hull FC are headed to the Challenge Cup quarter-finals after they battered Castleford Tigers in the sunshine this afternoon.

Highlights:

Confusion reigns
Jake Clifford twice thought he had scored the opening try at the Jungle today. He ran 90 metres to dot down in the corner after stripping the ball from former Hull FC star Joe Westerman and streaking the length of the field. The try was referred to the video referee as Clifford thought he had scored the opener. However, as the video referee looked at the footage he probably thought the try was disallowed as a freeze frame was shown of Clifford and and Josh Griffin in the tackle as the ball came free. However, as everyone looked to the screen the word TRY came up and Hull fans cheered. But viewers on BBC knew the try was disallowed and the screen soon changed to reflect that. A moment of confusion after two darts to the line with Clifford’s run coming after a Mahe Fonua intercept snapping up a pass from Griffin but not having the pace to get to the try line.

Griffin crosses
Griffin had been involved in those two big early moments and his good line on the back of good shape from Jake Clifford and Tex Hoy allowed Griffin to carve through.

Clifford kick carves Cas up
Clifford was pulling the strings and his grubber deflected back into his hands. He juggled and then teed up Adam Swift for Hull’s second try.

Swift dives in for second try
A quintessentially perfect diving, one handed finish in the corner, after a sweeping move down the left, from Adam Swift gave the Black and Whites a 16-0 lead.

Sensational support play
It was two tries in two minutes after a lovely short ball from Clifford allowed Griffin to go through. It then went inside to Hoy who found Clifford. Clifford was dragged down but he was up quick and gave it to Liam Sutcliffe. It then went to Jake Trueman before finding Jack Brown to finish the move.

Fonua gives Cas hope
A former cup hero of Hull FC gave Castleford hope as he used his power to ground the ball in the corner as Cas built some pressure.

Right side raid
After the left side had shone in the first half, a move down the right saw Hull FC notch the first points of the second half through Jordan Lane cross.

Swift completes his hat-trick
As Castleford attacked, an error allowed Adam Swift to streak down field and from the set he went on to complete his hat-trick.

Tate shows glimpse of the future
Castleford were doing it tough in terms of personnel but they have a lot of young players who stood out and Will Tate was one who scored after a lovely scrum move.

Talking Points:

Hull starting to look like a Tony Smith side
The Black and Whites are building momentum now and the way they are playing is starting to reflect the best Tony Smith teams with support play and expression.

Cas struggling for points
It is hard when you are missing your entire first choice spine but the Tigers have struggled for points all season. They had a wealth of possession early in the game but they don’t have the tools to score the points they need.

Long term rebuild
There were plenty of young impressive players on the field for Castleford which underlines that it is a long term project that faces Andy Last and Castleford.

Player Ratings:

Castleford Tigers
17 Jack Broadbent – 7
4 Mahe Fonua – 6
15 Alex Sutcliffe – 6
3 Jordan Turner – 6
39 Will Tate – 7
13 Joe Westerman – 7
9 Paul McShane – 7
14 Nathan Massey – 6
8 George Lawler – 6
23 Suaia Matagi – 6
25 Brad Martin – 7
12 Alex Mellor – 6
28 Sam Hall – 6
Substitutes
10 George Griffin – 6
20 Muizz Mustapha – 6
24 Cain Robb – 6
30 Jacob Hookem – 6

Hull FC
1 Tex Hoy – 8
2 Adam Swift – 9
4 Liam Sutcliffe – 8
3 Carlos Tuimavave – 7
17 Cameron Scott – 8
6 Jake Trueman – 7
7 Jake Clifford – 9
13 Brad Fash – 8
9 Danny Houghton – 8
10 Chris Satae – 8
23 Josh Griffin – 9
12 Jordan Lane – 8
15 Joe Cator – 7
Substitutes
20 Jack Brown – 8
33 Brad Dwyer – 8
27 Will Gardiner – 7
31 Nick Staveley – 7