Castleford Tigers 16 Hull KR 58: Tigers' display is branded '˜unacceptable' by Powell

Tigers boss Daryl Powell pulled no punches about his team's dismal 58-16 home defeat to hit-and-miss Super League rivals Hull KR.
Tryscorer Ryan Hampshire leads Castleford's premature celebrations. PIC: Simon HulmeTryscorer Ryan Hampshire leads Castleford's premature celebrations. PIC: Simon Hulme
Tryscorer Ryan Hampshire leads Castleford's premature celebrations. PIC: Simon Hulme

“This ranks with the Warrington performance this season,” he said recalling a 56-12 loss to the leaders back in March.

“I thought Hull were excellent right from the start. They beat us in every department but it was clearly unacceptable in our approach and things have to change quickly.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We spoke about our home form but that was embarrassing. It was just ridiculous.

“It’s not what we stand for and there is a lot of work to be done before next week’s home game with St Helens.

“The more we went after it, the worst we got.”

James Webster, meanwhile, challenged his team to become a consistent Super League force after Hull KR responded to their Challenge Cup defeat by second tier Oldham in superb style.

Centre Thomas Minns scored three of the visitors’ 11-tries as a third win of the campaign lifted the Craven Park side above champions Leeds into 10th place.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s been a tough week mentally and physically,” acknowledged Webster after damming criticism of his players following their 36-22 defeat to the Roughyeds at Craven Park. “A lot of things were said and we spoke during the week, that it’s easy to say stuff to make you feel better but it is another thing going out doing it against a good team away from home.

“We knew the proof would be in the pudding but we were good enough for long enough to get the job done. I am proud of the players.

“But while it was fantastic what we turned out today, it’s frustrating we can’t do it every week. That’s our challenge now.”

Chairman Neil Hudgell was notably outspoken by the Robins’ cup shocker, eighth months after they finished as Wembley runners-up, promising to smoke out dishonest people at the club. The club has been very honest with its appraisal of last week,” insisted Webster.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“My players understand that we were going to be honest as a group and honest publicly. We weren’t going to shy away and try and pretend and give fake messages to the public.”

Castleford Tigers: Solomona, Monaghan, Minikin, Webster, Hitchcox, Hampshire, Gale, Lynch, Milner, Jewitt, Millington, McMeeken, Massey. Subs: McShane, Patrick, Cook, Moors.

Hull KR: Cockayne, Sio, Minns, Thornley, Wardill, Blair, Kelly, Tilse, Lunt, Mulhern, Clarkson, Horne, Allgood. Subs: Boudebza, Donaldson, Green, Walker.

Referee: Ben Thaler.

Attendance: 7,106.