Nothing is golden but Tigers prove big point against rivals Leopards
Leigh Leopards 28 Castleford Tigers 28
COACH Craig Lingard believes his Castleford Tigers team are “getting there” after they secured a vital point in a thrilling game against Super League rivals Leigh Leopards.
The two teams could not be separated at 28-28 following a frantic 10 minutes of golden-point extra time.
A try in the dying moments of normal time from Castleford winger Lewis Senior gave Rowan Milnes the opportunity to kick a conversion to level the scores which he took.
Adrian Lam’s men had the better opportunities to win it but could not apply the killer touch.
“If you asked me midway through the first half I’d say (it feels like) a point dropped,” said Lingard. “But if you asked me in the second, I’d say a point won.
“I thought we were lucky to be 10 points up in the first half because Leigh had dominated in attack and defence. I had to question the players’ physicality at half-time because Leigh were winning the battle.
“We have talked about developing our mentality of competing and we played well in spells but not for the full 80 minutes.
“Those periods of the game are getting bigger and the bad ones smaller. We are getting there – the last couple of games have given us confidence for the coming weeks.”
Leigh dominated attacking possession in the early stages but were stunned by two early tries from Castleford in quick succession from Senior and Tex Hoy.
Matt Moyland converted his own try as Leigh hit back before, with three minutes of the half remaining, they took the lead for the first time through tries from Josh Charnley and Edwin Ipape.
Leigh scored their fourth try in the 52nd minute through Ricky Leutele to make it 24-10 but a try for centre Sam Wood kept Castleford in the game only for Charnley to respond with a score in the corner.
But Innes Senior produced a great finish to score in the corner and with Milnes adding the goal, Leigh’s lead was cut to just six points.
With two minutes left on the clock, Lewis Senior produced an acrobatic finish to score in the corner to make it 28-26. Milnes’ conversion off the touchline tying the game and bringing golden point.