York end losing run with victory at Castleford

Betfred Super League

Castleford (10) 14

Tries: Valemei 2, Qareqare Goals: Weaver

York (6) 20

Tries: Hunter, Field, Nofoaluma, Galeano Goals: Hunter 2

York Knights survived a late scare to secure a fourth Super League win of the season, edging out Castleford Tigers 20-14.

Semi Valemei put the Tigers in front with an early score, only for Cody Hunter to hit back for the visitors.

Jason Qareqare’s try meant Cas went into the break in the ascendancy, but second-half scores from Oli Field, David Nofoaluma and Scott Galeano put York in control.

Valemei scored again to put the pressure back on York before Qareqare went close in the final minutes, but the Knights held on for their first win in seven matches.

Castleford took an early lead when Valemei crossed from close range after Louis Senior knocked down Tom Weaver’s searching kick. The latter’s conversion was unsuccessful.

Hunter spotted a gap to score York’s first try of the evening after being released by Paul McShane and he converted from in front of the posts to give the visitors the lead.

Moments later, York’s Sam Wood was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Qareqare.

The winger recovered to cross in the left corner with Cas down to 12 men, and this time Weaver converted from the tightest of angles.

Down by four points at the interval, York ramped up the pressure early in the second half and it paid off when Field stole past a weak Weaver tackle to make it 10-10.

The visitors only grew in confidence and scored again through Nofoaluma after some brilliant work by Nikau Williams in the build-up. Hunter’s conversion was good for 16-10.

Galeano then scored his ninth try of the season with eight minutes remaining when he beat Qareqare in the air to meet McShane’s kick.

Valemei hit back immediately for Cas, judging the bounce of a kick perfectly to tap down, but Weaver missed with his conversion attempt.

One more converted try would have levelled the scores for the hosts, and Qareqare thought he had it. However, the video referee confirmed no try and awarded a penalty for a high tackle on the winger, as York held on in an agonising climax.

‘Hopefully, everyone can relax’ – reaction

York head coach Mark Applegarth speaking to BBC Radio York:

“It was much needed. We needed a response after last week [against Wigan].

“It was back to our DNA, showing up for each other, energy in defence, being nice and patient, playing how we played and taking the chances when they came.

“Castleford is a difficult place to come. We had to play from minute one to 80 and we showed loads of heart and spirit.

“We got the monkey off our back every time you have a loss. Hopefully, everyone can relax and we can start to build.”

Castleford: Laulu-Togagae; Valemei, Senior, Mapapalangi, Qareqare; Asi, Weaver; Dupree, Golding, Lawler, Hirst, Mellor, Stimson.

Interchanges: Atoni, Lane, Ross, Brown.

York: Mata’afa; Bennison, Galeano, Williams, Nofoaluma; Hunter, McShane; Martin, Inman, Va’a, Wood, Field, Thompson.

Interchanges: Balmforth, Vaughan, Hudson, Reynolds.

Sin-bin: Wood (20).

Referee: Ryan Cox.

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