POWELL’S REVENGE!
DARYL POWELL’S Tigers got revenge for their Grand Final heartache in a sensational game at Elland Road.
But champions Leeds made them scrap every inch of the way after almost pulling off an amazing fightback.
They battled back from 24-0 down and Kallum Watkins had a 79th minute conversion attempt to win it – but fluffed the chance.
The foundations for this dramatic win were laid in a stunning opening quarter by the sizzling Tigers.
Jamie Ellis raced through to touch down a grubber kick from Luke Gale for the first try.
Minutes later winger James Clare grabbed a second, following top drawer passing by Paul McShane and Greg Minikin.
And the shock waves went well and truly through the Rhinos when Cas made it 18-0 after 11 minutes.
Minikin’s break caused early panic and Alex Foster then did superbly to touch down an Ellis high kick.
Danger
Leeds thought they had found an answer to the onslaught with a Mikolaj Oledzki effort but it was disallowed for a knock on.
Castleford simply shrugged off the danger and struck back immediately with a try from Junior Moors to make it 24-0.
The “easy” taunts from the Cas end won’t have sat easily with the home fans in the 23,246 crowd – a new Leeds record attendance.
But they finally had a try to cheer in the 27th minute when a high kick from Richie Myler set up captain Kallum Watkins.
Myler then repeated the trick five minutes later for Ash Handley but a drop goal from Luke Gale nudged Cas into a 25-10 half-time lead.
Joel Moon had a Leeds effort disallowed and Brad Singleton then added to Leeds’ problems by getting sin-binned for a high tackle.
It sparked one of several spats in this tense derby, but Leeds rolled with the punches thanks to a second try from Handley while they were a man down.
And it was definitely game on when Watkins stormed in for his second try and Ryan Hall then touched down to set up that dramatic finish.