Webster is king as Cas are crowned
JAKE WEBSTER grabbed his first hat-trick for 11 years and then capped it with an exquisite fourth try as Castleford secured an historic top-of-the-table finish at a packed Wheldon Road.
Never before in their 91-year history had the Tigers finished at the summit but they achieved that feat with four games remaining.
Their success means they will enjoy a home
CASTLEFORD
play-off semi-final against the fourthplaced side next month as they bid to book a maiden Grand Final appearance.
Daryl Powell’s men were presented with the League Leaders’ Shield after the game and will receive £100,000 in prize money and a shot at an NRL club in the World Club Series next year.
England full-back Zak Hardaker opened the scoring when he burst onto Ben Roberts’ pass and galloped through the Wakefield defence to touch down.
Trinity, who remain in the hunt for a play-off semi-final spot, hit back when Ben Jones-Bishop crossed in the corner. However, Paul McShane ushered Mike McMeeken over before Hardaker’s brilliant run and pass sent Webster powering clear for a third home score.
Tries either side of half-time from Mason Caton-Brown and Danny Kirmond cut Castleford’s lead to two points before Luke Gale’s long pass sent fit-again winger Greg Eden over for his 35th try of the season.
Webster then scored twice more to complete a hat-trick before Gale’s drop-goal kick-started the celebrations.
Castleford were not done there and Webster powered over for his fourth try before Max Jowitt hit back for Wakefield, with Hardaker adding the gloss with his second try and an eighth home score.