TIGERS CAN’T COPE WITH SHOCK VAVE

16 Hull FC 29

CARLOS TUIMAVAVE celebrated his long-term deal with a match-winning display, as Hull FC kept their season alive with a second win in four days.

The Black and Whites announced a new four-year deal for Tuimavave hours before the game and he repaid them with two tries and an assist.

It put Hull two wins from Wembley, having beaten Wakefield on Thursday night, before making eight changes for this cup clash.

Coach Andy Last said: “Carlos has been a magnificent signing since the day he came in. The players are putting their heart and soul into every collision and every contact – guys were struggling out there and we ran out of subs.

“It was a monumental effort from both sets of players backing up after Thursday night’s games.”

The tie was delicately poised at 6-12 shortly before half-time, with Tuimavave having scored one try and made another for Albert Kelly, and George Griffin responding for the Tigers.

Tuimavave (above) then scored a breakaway intercept try and, when Ratu Naulago raced clear straight after the restart, Hull led by three scores.

It proved just enough to secure victory, despite Castleford replies from Oliver Holmes and Peter Mata’utia, with a late Jake Connor penalty and drop goal sealing the win.

The Tigers also played on Thursday night, when they fell to a last-gasp Warrington try, and coach Daryl Powell said: “I thought we were really courageous today.

“The period around half-time was very difficult for us, but there was nothing in the game apart from that.”