Young Robins go down in close contest with Castleford

Hull KR Scholars suffered their first loss of 2024, after Castleford Tigers edged out the Robins 20-16 in a close encounter at Sewell Group Craven Park.

Castleford started strong, pilling early pressure on Hull KR's line. The Tigers made the pressure count after an error from Riley Dunn was capitalised on by Jack Pallister for the winger to score on the left edge. Sonny Wall added the two and Castleford lead 6-0.

Flowing with confidence the young Castleford struck again with Pallister crossing for a second. Wall hit the post and the Tigers extended their lead to 10-0.

As the game went on Hull KR began to grow into the game, a forward pass from Castleford gave the Robins field position heading into the Tigers’ half.

Charlie Forester made the possession count as he flew through a gap down the middle of the Tigers’ defence to go over near the posts. Hope adds the two and the Robins cut the Tigers lead down to 10-6.

The game shifted again as Castleford racked up three sets on Hull KR’s line but was unable to capitalise with Pallister ending the pressure with a knock on.

After that, it was the Robins’ turn to put pressure on their opponents. Going from edge to edge, Hull KR’s attack, led by Josh Guynan and Evan Adamson, sent the ball from the right edge to the left and put Henry Hope over for a acrobatic finish in the corner. Hope couldn’t add the extras and the score were tied at 10-10.

Hull KR thought they were in again shortly after with Jake Ivory looking to have gone over on his debut but the referee ruled the hooker had been held up. The teams went into had-time all square at 10-10

It was a scrappy start to the second half with errors from both sides. Castleford struck first with Pallister completing his hat trick after a Hull KR error at the play the ball. Wall missed the two and Castleford led 14-10.

The Robins reacted minuted later as Josh Guynan found a sharp inside ball to Alfie Woods for the loose forward to break the line 20 metres out and fly over. Hope converted and the Robins lead 16-14.

With less than 10 minutes remaining, a Robins error from the scrum gave Castleford an opening for Connor Dale to score. Wall missed the two and the Tigers lead 18-14.

Following the restart, Castleford spilled the ball to give Hull KR an opening. Alfie Woods looked to have powered over for his second but it was pulled back for a double movement. The Tigers still lead 18-14.

As the game entered the final three minutes, Hull KR gave away three penalties with the final one putting Castleford on the Robins’ ten. Wall opted for the two with seconds of the game left and made it 20-14 as the full-time whistle blew.

Hull KR Scholarship vs Castleford Tigers
1. James Wilson
2. Riley Dunn
3. Cam Brigham
4. Evan Williams
5. Henry Hope
6. Josh Guynan
7. Evan Adamson
8. Drew Docherty
9. Charlie Forrester
10. Michael Obasi
11. Henry Tully
12. Luca Irwin
13. Alfie Woods
14. Jake Ivory
15. Alfie Ebot Enombi
16. Alfie Petty
17. Alex Gorman
18. Cole Pelopida
19. Harry Moore
20. Jake Myers