Castleford 40-26 Widnes: Denny Solomona breaks Super League record for most tries in a season
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 25/09/16 6:27pm
Castleford winger Denny Solomona enjoyed another record-breaking afternoon as Castleford beat Widnes 40-26 to finish the season in fifth place.
The 22-year-old posted a hat-trick to end the season with 42 tries - two more than the club record of 40 set by St John Ellis in 1993-94. Solomona also ended as the record scorer in a Super League season, his 40 taking him clear of Lesley Vainikolo and Danny McGuire who scored 38.
On an historic day, Tigers' veteran Australian full-back Luke Dorn marked the final game of his career by notching Cas' first try of the match, but the afternoon belonged to Solomona who, despite being tied to the club until the end of 2018, continues to be linked with an off-season move.
One of three contenders for 2016 Man of Steel, the former London man surpassed Ellis's effort of 40 tries in 41 games. Solomona's seventh hat-trick of the season was completed just after the break, extending his side's lead from 16-10 after Corey Thompson's 26th try for Widnes had brought them back into it.
Solomona's third of the day was an unopposed touch-down from Luke Gale's kick, and by that time Castleford were out of sight as the Vikings' early promise from a seventh-minute Connor Farrell try had evaporated.
Dorn, soon to head home with his young family, crossed after 17 minutes before Solomona took centre stage. His first try came from Jake Webster's 22nd-minute assist before he seized on Tom Gilmore's kick to power over from long range three minutes from the break.
Thompson and substitute Ben Crooks traded tries before Solomona completed his latest treble. Prop Matt Cook's first try of the season after 55 minutes was greeted with almost as much pleasure before McShane ended the home scoring.
Widnes were well beaten but added respectability to the final scoreline with late tries from Farrell, Thompson and Patrick Ah Van.
