Hull KR 32-33 Castleford: Golden point drop goal wins it in fourth period of extra time
Gareth O’Brien haunted Hull KR with a drop goal in the 99th minute as Castleford came from behind to win 33-32 in the Challenge Cup at Craven Park.
A dramatic score in the dying seconds from winger Jordan Turner had forced extra time, and it took the best part of four periods of golden point, which saw eight missed drop goal attempts, before Castleford finally prevailed.
It was tough on Hull KR, who had dominated the first half and then led 32-18 late in the second half.
Man of Steel Paul McShane wonderfully set-up Turner’s late score, taking advantage of an overlap on the left and putting in the key pass at the right time to break the Robins hearts in their first competitive game at home for more than a year.
Albert Vete’s first try for the club was sandwiched by tries from Jez Litten and Matt Parcell, after Ethan Ryan and Jacob Trueman exchanged early scores and the hosts led 22-6 at half time.
Two tries from Derrell Olpherts and McShane within five minutes of the restart had Castleford back in to the contest, Danny Richardson’s successful conversions bringing them back to 22-18.
But Shaun Kenny-Dowall steadied the ship, scoring a try for Hull KR and putting one on for Jordan Abdull which looked like being enough at 32-18.
Olpherts and McShane grabbed a second try apiece before McShane set up Turner, and though Richardson missed a touchline conversion to win it on the hooter, the Tigers eventually prevailed in extra time.
Hull KR: Quinlan, Ryan, Minikin, Kenny-Dowall, Hall, Lewis, Abdull, King, Parcell, Sims, Linnett, Johnson, Lawler. Subs: Vete, Litten, Mustapha, Keinhorst.
Tries: Ryan, Litten, Vete, Parcell, Kenny-Dowall, Abdull. Goals: Abdull 2, Lewis 2.
Castleford: O’Brien, Olpherts, Mata’utia, Shenton, Turner, Trueman, Richardson, Millington, McShane, Griffin, Holmes, Blair, Massey. Subs: Watts, Milner, Sene-Lefao, Smith.
Tries: Trueman, Olpherts 2, McShane 2, Turner. Goals: Richardson 4. Drop goal: O’Brien.
