Leon Pryce had point to prove says Lee Radford as Hull beat Castleford
Sunday 19 June 2016 19:54, UK
Hull coach Lee Radford admitted Leon Pryce had a point to prove after being recalled for his side's Super League game at Castleford and creating the all-important try in a 24-22 win that takes them two points clear at the top.
The scores were locked at 18-18 when the 34-year-old former Bradford, St Helens and Great Britain stand-off, recalled after a month's absence, produced a telling half-break to get full-back Jamie Shaul over for what proved to be the match-winning score.
Pryce, who is out of contract at the end of the season, was one of the players handed recalls after Radford opted to rest four of his regulars ahead of next Saturday's Challenge Cup quarter-final against Catalans Dragons, and he did not hold back with his celebrations.
"The fact that he turned round and waved at me when he set the try up might have been a bit of a giveaway," Radford said.
"Obviously initially the disappointment of Leon, Jordan Thompson and Dean Hadley not being selected was evident but how they've responded to that and applied themselves at training has prepared us really well for the opposition
we've been coming up against that week.
"Putting the squad before individual selection is really pleasing."
Pryce is not guaranteed to keep his spot for the cup tie as Radford prepares to bring back Fetuli Talanoa, Mark Minichiello, Gareth Ellis and Sika Manu.
"They're all soft-tissue injuries but ones we weren't prepared to risk," said Radford, who was far from happy with his team's performance despite ending a four-match losing run at the Jungle.
"I'm disappointed really," he said. "I'm not pleased with the performance, but what I am pleased with is the fact we've been able to break Castleford's momentum on a couple of occasions during the game, which is something we've not
been able to do here for a few seasons.
"The number of errors is the most disappointing part. We were stubborn for each other in defence and I'd love to be able to piece that defence with not making the errors.
"It's something we're going to have to get better at. There are a few things to fix up and everyone in that dressing room knows there's a lot of improvement in us."
A fifth successive home defeat virtually ends Castleford's top-four hopes but coach Daryl Powell was encouraged by his team's performance.
Powell was forced to field a makeshift half-back pairing in Paul McShane and Grant Millington in the absence of Luke Gale and Ben Roberts but was delighted with his team's creativity and felt they deserved to win.
"I thought it was a great effort with the team we put out," Powell said. "We had our chances.
"It was very close. They've been used to winning tight games, they've been doing that all year, and they just about got away with it today.
"I thought we probably deserved to win the game. You wouldn't have grumbled either way I don't think.
"We were missing out first-choice half-backs and we cobbled together a kicking game.
"But I thought we really troubled them. When we got in attacking positions, we generally looked like we were going to score. We scored pretty wide out generally and they had a couple of dollies from in front of the posts."
Powell says acting captain Gale could return for the Tigers' Saturday's Challenge Cup quarter-final against Wigan at the DW Stadium.
"He's got a chance," Powell said. "He's in a boot at the moment to minimise the damage to his ankle. We'll see how he goes but I wouldn't have a problem putting that team out against Wigan."
