Tigers devour Vikings

Castleford booked their return to Super League in 2008 with a 42-10 victory over Widnes in the National League Grand Final on Sunday.

It is the second time in three years that the Tigers have bounced straight back to the top flight following relegation.

Danny Brough, who will be playing for Wakefield next year, gave the Tigers a farewell present to remember with a match-winning performance that saw him involved in five of the seven tries and kicking 14 points.

"It's obviously gut-wrenching having to go," he said afterwards. "It was something I chose to do for the stability of my family.

"It's more satisfying than the cup final for me personally because people doubted my commitment to Cas. I'm chuffed to bits for Cas."

On the other side of the coin, defeat for Widnes followed last year's Grand Final loss to Hull KR while it was the fourth in succession for ex-Whitehaven coach Steve McCormack.

Wainwright try

Brough kicked the Tigers into an early 4-0 lead and it was his grubber that was fumbled by Widnes stand-off Dennis Moran to gift substitute Michael Wainwright a 21st-minute try.

Castleford had tries from stand-off Anthony Thackeray and winger Kirk Dixon disallowed by video referee Ian Smith and, although Brough put over a drop goal after 25 minutes, a 9-0 lead was poor reward for their early domination.

But the Yorkshiremen extended their lead when a Brough 40-20 kick set up the position for centre Ryan McGoldrick, one of the players who stayed loyal to Castleford on their relegation, to jink his way over for their second try.

Centre Mick Nanyn gave Widnes some hope when he forced his way over from close range five minutes before the break, and they almost scored again when Nanyn broke the first line of defence - but Joel Penny failed to take the final pass from Scott Grix.

Decisive blow

Nanyn and Grix both went close early in the second half but Brough delivered the decisive blow on 43 minutes when he regathered his own kick and sent Guttenbeil over for the Tigers' third try.

When Brough got centre Michael Shenton over for try number four on 51 minutes, the game was well and truly up for the disappointing Vikings.

Brough added a second drop goal and second-rowers Joe Westerman, the National League One Young Player of the Year, and Ryan Clayton both went over for close-range tries.

Widnes grabbed a consolation try through prop Oliver Wilkes, converted by Nanyn, but Brough fittingly had the final say when he sent Guttenbeil over for his second try and kicked his sixth goal.