Tigers hunt down Wildcats

Richard Owen: scored Castleford's opening try

Rangi Chase: involved in all but one of the Tigers' six tries

Castleford stand-off Rangi Chase inspired his side to a 34-16 victory over neighbours Wakefield.

Chase was involved in all but one of the Tigers' six tries, helping the visitors build on an eight point interval lead with three tries in the second period. before Wakefield grabbed a late consolation effort.

The Wildcats forced the first opportunity of the game when second row Ali Lauitiiti broke from his own half, kicking through for winger Ben Cockayne before the defensive cover closed in.

Castleford survived that scare and, after loose forward Jake Emmitt had been hauled down by Wildcats full-back Richie Mathers, took the lead in the 11th minute when Chase sent full-back Richard Owen through a huge gap from five metres out.

Centre Kirk Dixon added the extras but Wakefield hit back when Cockayne raced 50 metres and, from the territory gained, the ball was swept wide for stand-off Isaac John to feed centre Paul Sykes, whose reverse pass gave winger Peter Fox the chance to race over from 30 metres.

Sykes was unable to add the extras, and the Tigers hit back with two tries in three minutes to establish a 14 point lead with only five minutes of the first half remaining.

Racing in

Owen claimed the first, racing in at the corner from a Chase pass, and substitute Grant Millington then crashed in off a short ball by prop Nathan Massey.

In-form kicker Dixon added both goals, but the Wildcats ensured that the contest remained alive at the half-time hooter when Sykes went over from short range and added the conversion to reduce the deficit to eight points.

Castleford hit back within seven minutes of the resumption, a smart ball by Chase putting Brett Ferres through a gap and second row Steve Snitch popping up on the centre's inside to take the pass and score.

Dixon maintained his 100% record with the boot and, in tackling Smith over the Wildcats goal-line shortly afterwards, set up a spell of three forced drop-outs in quick succession.

That set the scene for Ferres to pounce on a Chase kick in the 64th minute - Dixon being wide of the mark for the first time with his conversion attempt.

Second row Oliver Holmes was next over the whitewash, courtesy of Chase's timely pass, Dixon closing his side's account with the goal.

Wakefield had the last word with a breakaway try by substitute Kyle Wood which Sykes converted, but there was no doubting Castleford's superiority.

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