Castleford complete season double over Hull KR
Last Updated: 05/06/15 11:32pm
Castleford withstood a tremendous Hull KR fightback to claim a 30-22 Super League win at the KC Lightstream Stadium.
The Tigers raced into an early 18-0 lead with three tries in the opening 14 minutes, but their lead was cut to eight points at the interval as Hull KR finished the half strongly.
Aaron Ollett's 55th-minute try reduced the Robins' deficit to just two points but Cas finished strongly and Liam Finn crossed late on to complete a season double over their hosts.
It was the Ben Roberts show for the first half-hour as the Samoa international turned on the style in his new position of full-back to help the Tigers into a 24-6 lead.
Roberts scored the first try after six minutes, slicing through the home defence after Finn had forced a goal-line drop-out.
Denny Solomona continued his superb scoring form after leaping above Ben Cockayne to claim Luke Gale's high kick and touch down, and Roberts then turned provider to send Oliver Holmes over.
Albert Kelly replied for the hosts but Roberts then combined with skipper Michael Shenton to get Gale over for a fourth try on 24 minutes, Gale kicking his fourth goal.
However, Hull KR hit back with a Kieran Dixon try after another accurate kick from Terry Campese, and Kelly bagged his second on 33 minutes following a forceful run from Ken Sio.
It was all Castleford at the start of the second half, but without reward as Gale was tackled inches short of the line and Gibson was bundled into touch near the corner.
Having demonstrated their new-found defensive resolve, Rovers got back to within two points when substitute hooker Ollett won the race to Kris Welham's grubber kick to the line on the last tackle.
As the tension mounted in the final quarter, Rovers had a great chance to win it when Campese cleverly kicked into space and reclaimed the ball, but his attempt pass to Sio went into touch.
It proved to be the home side's last chance as Castleford forward Grant Millington burst a hole in their defence and stand-off Finn jinked his way over for the match-clinching try, with Gale adding his fifth goal.
Hull KR's misery was compounded six minutes from the end when Campese was led limping from the field.
