Castleford 16-12 St Helens: Tigers showcase squad depth
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 05/06/17 9:53am
Under-strength Castleford underlined their Super League title credentials by digging deep to edge St Helens 16-12.
Tigers coach Daryl Powell gave four key players the weekend off amid a gruelling schedule, handing a significant advantage to a Saints side buoyed by back-to-back wins in coach Justin Holbrook's first two games in charge.
But Castleford proved they have the strength in depth to mount a sustained challenge for the Super League crown in a thrilling contest.
The home crowd at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle had seen their team score for fun in the early months of the season but they had only debutant Kieran Gill's try to celebrate in the first half as Saints crossed through Mark Percival and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook to take a 12-4 lead into the break.
England forward Mike McMeeken, a late addition to the squad, set up a tense final 20 minutes and Tom Holmes' brave finish earned the Tigers a notable victory.
Zak Hardaker, Luke Gale, Michael Shenton and Grant Millington were the Castleford players rested by Powell, who was angry that his side had to back up after playing two games in four days over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.
By contrast, Saints enjoyed a 10-day turnaround after their scheduled game at Huddersfield on Monday was rearranged.
The Tigers changes meant Super League debuts for Gill and Jake Trueman, while the competition's runaway top tryscorer Greg Eden moved to full-back.
Saints were returning to the scene of their humiliating 53-10 Challenge Cup defeat but arrived as one of only three teams to beat the league leaders so far this year.
The visitors enjoyed a solid start to that game before Castleford cut loose and they carved out the first opportunity on Sunday, Adam Swift hauled down by Eden after Alex Walmsley's offload had created the opening.
The depleted Tigers lacked the fluency in attack that had seen them average 48 points across their eight straight home wins, which was underlined when Holmes, standing in for Gale, threw a pass into touch.
It was another misdirected ball that laid on the first try of the match for Percival, who collected Matty Smith's grounded pass with his back to the try-line and scooted down the touchline to score a try from nothing.
Castleford were struggling to create chances in the absence of Gale; Ben Roberts coming closest to unlocking the Saints defence when he was tackled just short of the line.
A series of penalties gave the Tigers an opportunity to camp in the Saints 20 and the pressure told as Gill squeezed over in the corner from Jake Webster's pass.
Instead of going on the hunt for back-to-back tries Castleford were forced to defend their own line after a mistake by Holmes, which McCarthy-Scarsbrook punished with a try on his 200th appearance.
Makinson added the extras to the forward's powerful finish to leave Saints in control at half-time.
Castleford took the fight to Saints at the start of the second half but it took a flying tackle by Jy Hitchcox on Regan Grace to prevent the visitors from scoring the crucial next try.
Injuries to key forwards Jesse Sene-Lefao and Junior Moors appeared to end Castleford's hopes of a comeback but they dug deep and were right back in it after McMeeken dummied his way over.
The Tigers continued to pile pressure on Saints with the home fans in full voice and the stadium was rocking when Holmes collected Greg Minikin's grubber kick to touch down under pressure.
The travelling supporters thought their side had won it when Walmsley went over out wide but referee Chris Campbell adjudged a double movement as Castleford hung on.
