Leeds 12-23 Castleford: Cas go seven points clear at the top
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 24/06/17 12:20am
Castleford passed another major test in their bid for a first Super League title by beating Leeds 23-12 at Headingley to move seven points clear at the top.
The Tigers' ability to win big matches was questioned after last week's Challenge Cup exit but they edged their big-city neighbours in an absorbing derby played out in front of a crowd of 18,029 to make a significant statement.
Ash Handley had given Leeds an early lead in bizarre circumstances but Super League's top try-scorer Greg Eden levelled the scores and Luke Gale's penalty gave the Tigers a slender 8-6 half-time lead.
Zak Hardaker silenced the Headingley boo-boys with a long-range try after the restart and Leeds were staring down the barrel of yet another defeat in the fixture when Grant Millington touched down.
Adam Cuthbertson gave the Rhinos hope but Castleford's lead was never truly under threat as they continued their dominance over the seven-time Super League champions.
Brian McDermott had warned Castleford that Leeds were gunning for them after six straight defeats in the West Yorkshire derby and the Rhinos backed up their coach's bullish pre-match talk by taking the fight to the Tigers in the early stages.
The home side defended their own line with aggression after conceding back-to-back penalties and then opened the scoring courtesy of a moment of madness from Ben Roberts.
McGuire's grubber kick into the in-goal area was narrowly missed by Leeds hooker Matt Parcell and collected by Roberts, who jinked his way across field before inexplicably passing straight to Handley - who touched down.
But Castleford quickly set up camp in the Rhinos' 20 and eventually crossed to a chorus of boos.
Paul McShane lost the ball but referee Robert Hicks adjudged a Rhinos hand had knocked it to ground and on the next play the visitors shifted the ball out to the left wing, where Eden raced over for his 31st Super League try of the year.
It got worse for the hosts when captain Danny McGuire was sin-binned for dissent in the aftermath.
Leeds managed to keep the visitors out during his 10 minutes off the field despite struggling to complete their sets in greasy conditions.
The Rhinos continued to defend their own line manfully and respect for their efforts came when the best attack in Super League opted to take the two points on offer when Leeds were caught offside on the last tackle.
Castleford thought they had added to the penalty when Eden touched down after an error by Tom Briscoe but the video referee ruled the Tigers offside from Gale's high kick.
The home fans were furious when Hicks signalled for half-time with Leeds in a promising attacking position and boos rang out as the official left the field.
Hardaker was given rough treatment on his return to Headingley and he made his parent club rue the decision to allow him to play in the fixture by evading four tacklers on his way to the line from range.
Gale added the extras and the Tigers were almost out of sight when he was on target again after Millington touched down his grubber kick.
Leeds had a lifeline after an error by McShane allowed Cuthbertson to score from McGuire's dab through but another Gale penalty left the hosts 10 points behind with nine minutes left.
Castleford comfortably saw out the victory and Gale rubbed salt into Rhinos' wounds by slotting over a drop goal in the dying stages.
