Castleford stun leaders Warrington in Magic Weekend shock
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 21/05/16 9:12pm
Denny Solomona and Luke Dorn scored two tries apiece as Castleford came from 14-0 down to earn a stunning 34-14 victory over Super League leaders Warrington at Magic Weekend.
The Tigers came into the St James' Park clash in high spirits following their thumping win at Leeds and they rediscovered that scintillating form after a slow start against a Wolves side smarting from a surprise defeat by Wakefield.
Stefan Ratchford gave Warrington an early lead with his seventh Magic Weekend try and further scores from Kurt Gidley and Ben Currie left the dominant Wolves in full control.
Castleford were staring down the barrel as half-time approached but a brilliant team try finished by Dorn got them back in the match before Grant Millington made it a two-point game.
Super League's top tryscorer Solomona touched down to complete the comeback and he later added his 18th try of the season following Mike McMeeken's effort as shell-shocked Warrington failed to live with the rampant Tigers.
A Luke Gale penalty gave Castleford a 14-point lead and he converted Dorn's try to make it 34 unanswered points as the Tigers moved into sixth place in the table in style.
The Tigers were comprehensive winners over Wakefield in each of the previous three Magic Weekends but faced a sterner test against the table-topping Wolves, who won the first meeting between the sides 56-12 in March.
And it was Warrington who opened the scoring after three minutes as Ratchford scooped up Ben Roberts' loose pass before sprinting 60 metres to touch down.
Gidley hit the post with his conversion attempt but he was celebrating minutes later after brushing off Adam Milner's attempted tackle and scoring next to the posts on the back of successive penalties.
With Castleford struggling both in defence and attack Daryl Powell made a tactical change by taking off former Warrington winger Joel Monaghan, playing out of position at centre, and replacing him with Jake Webster.
But the Wolves continued to look the fresher and more enthusiastic side and they extended their advantage when Matty Russell collected Gale's long kick on his own 10-metre line and benefited from sloppy tackling to race into the Tigers half and send Currie over for his 11th try of the year.
Castleford were in desperate need of a moment of magic and they delivered it as Ben Crooks took Gale's cross-field kick, the ball moved from right to left and back again before Dorn touched down.
The Tigers had their tails up all of a sudden and were within two points of Warrington at the break after Millington powered his way over following a break down the left flank by Webster.
Castleford lost Roberts - playing his first game since early March - just before half-time but they carried their momentum into the second half and hit the front for the first time when Solomona beat Tom Lineham in the air to claim Gale's brilliant kick and get the ball down under pressure.
The video referee had to sign off Solomona's effort but there was no doubt about the Tigers' next try, McMeeken touching down with one hand after taking Gale's flicked pass.
Castleford were playing with the same confidence they displayed in their big win at Headingley and they had a 12-point lead after Solomona raced down the wing to make it a double.
That became 14 points when Gale slotted over a penalty and Dorn rounded off a memorable Tigers win on the back of a rampaging run by Moors.
