For the second night in a row, Super League went to golden point as Hull KR and Castleford Tigers drew 18-18 before the Robins nicked it in golden point.
In a game that many expected Hull KR to dominate, Castleford Tigers showed up massively with Danny McGuire’s side much improved on their Challenge Cup performance against Bradford Bulls.
With Wigan losing last night and Hull KR struggling so much just 24 hours later, it certainly sets up for a wide-open Super League in 2025.
Here’s our verdict as Hull KR edged out Castleford Tigers in golden point.
Hull KR survive Castleford Tigers scare
CreditL Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Not long after Craven Park stopped singing Erasure were they cheering for their new signing Jared Waerea-Hargreaves who thought he’d scored on debut, however, Liam Rush correctly ruled the score out for a knock-on from the Kiwi.
A penalty at mid-field saw Hull KR execute a brilliant play with Mikey Lewis and Niall Evalds combining to play in Joe Burgess for the first try of the Super League season.
Castleford had multiple sets in KR territory and finally made the most of it when Tex Hoy sold a dummy before laying it on a plate for Josh Simm who scored in the corner to silence Craven Park and level the scores at 4-4.
If Craven Park was quiet at 4-4, it was even quieter five minutes later when Fletcher Rooney stepped Mikey Lewis to dance through and score on his sixth senior appearance for the Tigers to make it 10-4.
Castleford would extend that lead before half-time with a Tex Hoy penalty, however, Hull KR hit back through Peta Hiku following some brilliant Jez Litten play to earn yardage and a penalty making it 12-8 at the half.
Joe Burgess then looked to have won it for Hull KR as his quickfire double stretched it to 18-12 with eight minutes to go, however, Castleford recovered the short kick before Peta Hiku was caught sleeping under the high ball with Zac Cini beating him to catch and ground the ball to tie the game.
Rhyse Martin’s poor kicking night continued as he missed a one-pointer. Tex Hoy then missed a 78th-minute penalty meaning the game went to golden point. Despite having a poor 80 minutes, Mikey Lewis clutched up to win the game for Hull KR with a drop goal in golden point.
MAGIC MIKEY LEWIS WINS IT FOR HULL KR 🔥
Heartbreak for Castleford who gave it everything 👏 pic.twitter.com/7wC22E4L1y
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) February 14, 2025
Good day for
Joe Burgess. The winger played on the right in 2024 and whilst KR’s right edge was better than most, almost every team scores more tries on their left and Burgess is now the man who profits from Ryan Hall’s exit. ‘Budgie’ scored a hat trick in style as he made the most of his limited opportunities.
Bad day for
Rhyse Martin, Hull KR’s star signing struggled with the boot as he missed three conversions and then missed a drop goal in the 80 minutes. Mikey Lewis’ golden point winner arguably saved him from this vote with the Man of Steel cutting a frustrated figure at Craven Park.
Bigger picture
Castleford Tigers are certainly not the same Castleford who put in their woeful showing against Bradford Bulls. Hull KR were not at their best but Castleford forced plenty of those errors and that complacency. Danny McGuire’s side made good on their promises of improvement after last week.
Teams
Hull KR: Niall Evalds; Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess; Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May; Sauaso Sue, Micky McIlorum, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves; Rhyse Martin, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella
Interchanges: Jez Litten, Dean Hadley, Jai Whitbread, Kelepi Tanginoa.
Castleford Tigers: Fletcher Rooney; Josh Simm, Sam Wood, Zac Cini, Innes Senior; Daejarn Asi, Tex Hoy; Joe Westerman, Judah Rimbu, George Lawler; Jeremiah Simbiken, Josh Hodson, Liam Horne
Interchanges: George Griffin, Muizz Mustapha, Sylvester Namo, Ben Davies
