FIVE-TRY EDEN’S IN PARADISE
Castleford 36 Warrington 16
GREG EDEN bagged five tries – just one shy of the Super League record – to move Castleford six points clear at the top of table.
His try-blitz, the most in a Super League game by a Tigers player, took his season’s tally to 33 came and came in only 52 minutes.
But he could not add another to equal Lesley Vainikolo’s six for Bradford in 2005.
“Greg’s such a great finisher but there are some smart things done by the people inside him,” said Castleford coach Daryl Powell after an eighth win in a row.
“The passes from Luke Gale and Michael Shenton were outstanding and that’s been consistent all season.
“However, he’s a great finisher. Some of the things he does are fantastic.
“The way he catches the ball and how quickly he sees the ball and gets in his stride is pretty special.”
Tigers had the game practically won by the first quarter, scoring three times while Warrington skipper Chris Hill was in the sin bin for a late tackle on Gale.
Greg Minikin and Mike McMeekin also crossed in the opening period.
“Chris Hill getting sin-binned was the pivotal moment,” said Powell.
“We put our foot on the pedal and created some smart tries in that period. We were scratchy in the second half, took our foot off the pedal and Warrington came back at us. “But we’re in a great position.” In contrast, Warrington have not won in five and last season’s Grand Finalists remain in danger of missing the Super 8s.
“It made it hard to win,” said coach Tony Smith of Hill’s yellow card. “It could have been worse. But we still shouldn’t have leaked as many points in that period.
“The response in the second half showed some character.”