High fives as Tigers win again

WAKEFIELD CASTLEFORD

MIKE McMEEKEN’S second try of the season sent in-form Castleford on their way to a fifth successive victory in a turgid affair at Belle Vue.

The England second-rower galloped over the line in the 17th minute to give Daryl Powell’s men the best possible start to the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Easter period is notoriously tough with teams having to play twice over the weekend but the Tigers showed their mettle to eke out a hard-fought two points.

The rain-soaked conditions certainly made it a world apart from Castleford’s stunning 25-24 win against defending champions Leeds at Elland Road six days earlier.

That encounter will go down as a Super League classic, but this was a victory chiselled on a collective spirit and a refusal to buckle.

The outcome also marked a third straight defeat for Wakefield, whose impressive start to the season is beginning to fade.

Castleford were largely dominant during the first half and led when McMeeken burst onto a pass from Ben Roberts to crash over inside the right channel.

Trinity had appeals for tries from props Anthony England and David Fifita waved away by the video referee, as did Castleford winger James Clare.

Luke Gale, who converted McMeeken’s try, added a dropgoal to make it 7-0 at the break.

Wakefield hit back in the 59th minute when winger Ben JonesBishop outpaced the Castleford defence to dive onto a long kick from Liam Finn, who converted to make it 7-6 before Gale added two penalties.