York Knights have picked up just their fourth win of the Super League season, and did so in dramatic style against Castleford Tigers.
Emerging as 20-14 winners, Mark Applegarth’s side only took the lead in the 64th minutes, when David Nofoaluma’s score sent the York faithful crazy. Oli Field then added a score to increase the gap further.
Castleford, who were dominant for the majority, couldn’t ice their chances, and would rue their errors as they yet again remain inconsistent in their performances week-to-week.
They can feel aggreived though, with the home side potentially being denied a penalty try that would have seen the game tied up in the final few minutes.
That decision, as well as injury concerns and referee changes, are just some of the many talking points to come from the action at the OneBore Stadium.
Castleford Tigers v York Knights talking points
Cas denied crucial penalty try:
It was a game that went right down to the death, and York would eventually be the ones to take the points. However, Castleford could argue that they should have had a penalty try in the final minute of the game.
Jason Qareqare was caught high in the act of scoring, and dropped the ball short of the line. Instead of being awarded a penalty try, video referee Liam Rush deemed the foul play to not hinder the act of scoring, and therefore Castleford were awarded a penalty only.
Had they been awarded the penalty try, they would have had a shot at goal in front of the sticks, which would almost certainly have been converted. That would have leveled the game at 20-20 – instead, the Tigers go home empty handed.
Tigers don’t pounce as York’s defence can be applauded:
Being clinical was something that Castleford struggled with this evening, with far too many good opportunities going begging.
Carr’s side took a 10-6 lead into the break, but the boss will have been frustrated that they weren’t ahead by more. A number of chances came in the final moments of the first stanza, including a crash ball from Jack Brown and poor kicks from the half-backs not being accurate enough for fellow Tigers players.
Given the Tigers didn’t score enough points than they probably should have, credit must go to York, who in the first half especially, did well to defend their line.
They conceded twice, but the first was from a kick with the second coming from an overlap created with Wood’s sin-bin.
Injury blows:
Castleford will be without back rower Jordan Lane next week at Magic Weekend, after the ex-Hull FC man failed a HIA.
Both Krystian Mapapalangi and Daejarn Asi both struggled throughout the game, but were able to see out the 80.
Jack Brown went off for a HIA with 10 minutes to go, so it is unconfirmed at this stage whether he passed or failed.
For the Knights, Harvey Reynolds looked like he dislocated his elbow, whilst Jordy Thompson left the field after half an hour and was able to return, but it is unlike the veteran to go off so early into the contest.
Paul Vaughan is another that is a concern, after an issue saw him leave the field in the second half.
Wood’s frosty Jungle return:
For the first time since departing the club at the end of 2025, former Castleford captain Sam Wood returned to Wheldon Road, and it wasn’t the reunion many former skipper’s receive.
After his antics in the reverse fixture a few weeks ago riled up the Tigers fans, he was booed right from the off. Those boos increased when a crusher tackle on Jason Qareqare saw him sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes.
The centre featured in the back row this evening, highlighting the injury crisis the Knights currently have. Even despite the yellow card, it was a difficult night for the one-time England international, who couldn’t quite make his mark on the game.
Wood will be one of a few players sweating the Match Review Panel’s verdict on Monday, as will George Hirst who hit Toa Mata’afa late off the ball in the second half, though no penalty was awarded for that.
Game of the evening?
Going into Friday night’s Super League action, almost every rugby league fan who isn’t a Castleford or York supporter would have been tuning into Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR, but given the results and margins of both games, they’d have made the wrong choice.
With the game in the balance for the full 80, and both sides having game-winning opportunities, it was one of the closest contests of the league season so far, and that’s what made it so entertaining.
Referee change:
There was drama right from the off, with a change to the match officials coming just minutes before the game was about to start.
James Vella was initially set to officiate the game, but an injury in the warm-up saw him pull out.
As a result, the whistle was handed over to rookie referee Ryan Cox, who was in charge of just his second game at Super League level.
