ACE EDEN’S TITLE ROAR
GREG EDEN claimed Castleford have thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of Super League with this win.
The Tigers killed off a plucky Leeds Rhinos side with a four-try purple patch in the second half.
It denied Leeds the win that would have put them joint top with both Cas and Salford, and instead moves the Tigers two points clear.
And Eden, who scored a hat-trick in that spell, insists it shows that they can handle the pressure of chasing the title.
The winger, who took his tally for the season to 21 tries, said: “The first half was really intense and it felt like a final.
“That will stand us in good stead for the big games to come further down the season.”
Coach Daryl Powell was also delighted that Leeds threw everything at his side – and they still came up short.
He said: “We have won some games quite easily this year but that one was perfect because it really tested us.
Battle
“It was nip and tuck in the first half but we found a way to win a really tough battle, and that is really important as we progress through the season.”
The two sides were level at 6-6 at the break thanks to an opening try from Luke Gale and a reply from Leeds centre Kallum Watkins.
But Cas really went for the Rhinos’ throats in the second period as they produced a scintillating spell of attacking rugby.
Eden scored three and Tom Holmes raced 90 metres for another, with Gale kicking three goals, to put them 28-6 ahead.
Leeds hung in and grabbed two late consolation tries from Joel Moon and Liam Sutcliffe.
Their coach Brian McDermott said: “Cas are the best team in the comp at the moment. They apply pressure and execute really well.
“We lacked some concentration and composure and flaked out a bit early in the second half, and that’s not normally us.
“But I thought it was a heartening performance. We showed some resilience and we were in the fight and kept challenging.”