Castleford Tigers headed to Odsal to face Bradford Bulls in Round Three of the Challenge Cup in one of the games touted as a potential ambush.
It was Castleford Tigers’ own head coach Danny McGuire who used the term “ambush” when speaking about the fact the BBC had selected the tie for their Challenge Cup coverage, and the head coach was certainly right as Bradford Bulls defeated his side 18-16 in a brilliant clash.
After the nine games played on Friday and Saturday had seen the Super League teams cruise through with ease, barring Catalans who made tough work of Halifax Panthers, all eyes were on Castleford Tigers.
Prior to their performance, the aggregate score was 476-24 in favour of the nine Super League teams leaving an average winning scoreline of 53-3 but it was clear that would not be the case at Odsal.
Bradford Bulls are favoured to claim the Championship title this season whilst Castleford have lost both of their pre-season games creating cause for concern and teeing this game up to be a potential upset.
Castleford Tigers crash out of Challenge Cup
Credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Having named a strong side featuring plenty of former Super League stars, it was ex-Leeds Rhinos man James Donaldson who opened the scoring for the Bulls as he darted over to make it 4-0 after just five minutes and a wet and foggy Odsal.
Just ten minutes later and the Bulls added a second after putting pressure on the Castleford line. A smart kick from half-back Joe Keyes was chased down by Matty Gee who grounded the ball before James Meadows added the extras to make it 10-0 before the 20-minute mark.
Meadows added a further two from the tee as Bradord kept the scoreboard ticking over and more importantly they kept denying Castleford with full-back Tom Holmes putting in a huge tackle on Josh Simm on the fifth to prevent the Tigers from crossing over.
As Bradford kept the pressure on they were also able to keep their composure, as seen when Joe Keyes knocked over a one-pointer to further their lead and take it to three scores at 13-0.
Approaching the hooter, Cas had their best set of the game put a Daejarn Asi kick was scooped up by Tom Holmes who went the length of the field to score and cap off a perfect half for Bradford as they went into the changing rooms 17-0 up against their Super League opponents.
Keyes didn’t return for the second half and Cas certainly stepped up a level as Bradford’s intensity remained but their defence was breached after a smart Daejarn Asi kick was pounced on by fellow recruit Jeremiah Simbiken to make it 17-6 and set up a tense final 25 minutes.
That sparked a Cas revival as Josh Simm collected a stray offload to run the distance in the same style that Tom Holmes had done just before the half-time hooter, taking the score to 17-12.
Jordan Lilley smartly took a drop goal five minutes from time to put Bradford one converted try ahead and it looked like the Bulls would see the game out but Tex Hoy brilliantly split the line to score in the corner, setting up a chance to kick to tie the game.
Hoy had kicked the first two tries but could not do so at the death meaning Bradford progressed 18-16 after a thoroughly deserved win.
