In a classic encounter, Hull KR edged Castleford in a match that meant so much to both in terms of their play-off hopes. Castleford failed to seal their place in the top six whilst Hull KR leave themselves well and truly in command of their own destiny going to Headingley next week.
Major Talking Points:
1. Jordan Abdull is back
It might have taken 50 minutes or so, but Jordan Abdull had a massive impact on proceedings as he often does. After six weeks out injured, he came back tonight and, after a difficult first half, he started to shine in the second half with a crucial cross field kick which led to Matt Parcell’s try before a 40/20 helped pile the pressure on Castleford in the final quarter.
2. Should the video referee been called upon
Castleford appeared to be well and truly in control of the game at 19-12 but a controversial Parcell try changed all that. Shaun Kenny-Dowall patted down Abdull’s kick and Parcell gathered the ball and poached a key try. Kenny-Dowall’s first touch definitely went backwards but did his second? It was certainly difficult to decide but James Child had no such difficulty awarding the score even if many would’ve turned to the video referee. I praise Child’s confidence but should he have gone upstairs?
3. Try saving tackle a Dagger into Castleford’s hearts
The turning point perhaps came when Will Dagger got across the field to deny Castleford a key try with a huge try saving tackle. His courage and desperation typifies the guts of the Robins this season as well as each player’s willingness to give their all for their teammates. He spent much of the year out on loan and only made his first appearance for Hull KR this year last week, yet he clearly gave his all tonight.
Player Ratings:
Hull KR
19 Will Dagger – 8
2 Ben Crooks – 7
3 Greg Minikin – 7
4 Shaun Kenny-Dowall – 8
5 Ryan Hall – 6
20 Mikey Lewis – 8
7 Jordan Abdull – 8
16 George King – 7
9 Matt Parcell – 8
26 Will Maher – 6
11 Brad Takairangi – 6
12 Kane Linnett – 8
18 Matty Storton – 7
Substitutes
8 Albert Vete – 6
14 Jez Litten – 7
27 Luis Johnson – 6
33 Jimmy Keinhorst – 6
Castleford
1 Niall Evalds – 8
2 Derrell Olpherts – 7
3 Peter Mata’utia – 7
4 Michael Shenton – 8
20 James Clare – 6
25 Jordan Turner – 6
7 Danny Richardson – 7
15 George Griffin – 6
13 Adam Milner – 8
22 Daniel Smith – 7
11 Oliver Holmes – 8
21 Jesse Sene-Lefao – 7
14 Nathan Massey – 6
Substitutes
17 Alex Foster – 6
18 Jacques O’Neill – 6
19 Tyla Hepi – 6
24 Suaia Matagi – 6
