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By Ian Laybourn, PA Sport Points-scoring machine Sean Long went past the 300 mark for the season as St Helens made it eight wins in a row to keep the pressure on Super League leaders Bradford. The international half-back grabbed one of super Saints' seven tries and kicked all seven conversions for a personal haul of 18 points as Ellery Hanley's men ended the four-match winning run of title outsiders Castleford. St Helens are now just three points behind the Bulls, who have to visit Knowsley Road in the last match of the season, while Castleford remain fifth, despite tonight's convincing defeat, and firm favourites to claim the final play-off spot ahead of Gateshead. Saints centre Paul Newlove, returning after missing two games with a thumb injury, started the rout by racing 90 metres for an interception try after only three minutes, and when skipper Chris Joynt charged over for two tries in three minutes inside the first quarter, the game was over as a contest. The Saints captain was forced off with a cut hand on the half-hour mark but by then his side held a comfortable 24-0 lead after stand-off Tommy Martyn had added a fourth try just a minute after coming on as substitute. The Tigers lost centre Francis Maloney, who was laid out by Saints full-back Paul Atcheson in a challenge that was placed on report by referee Stuart Cummings. But they pulled a try back on 34 minutes when Dean Sampson offloaded from the tackle for scrum-half Brad Davis to touch down, Orr adding the goal. Saints extended their lead on the stroke of half-time when loose forward Paul Sculthorpe dummied his way over for his side's fifth try. St Helens were reduced to 12 men eight minutes into the second half, when Atcheson was sin-binned for deliberate offside and the visitors took immediate advantage, with winger Jon Wells taking Orr's clever kick to the corner to touch down for his side's second try. But Saints' response was instant and decisive, Fereti Tuilagi demonstrating exceptional upper body strength in addition to pace to charge over from 30 metres. Castleford scored again when Rogers finished off a sweetly executed flowing move by diving over at the corner, but Saints had the final say when Newlove got into his exceptional stride and substitute Steve Hall supported his break to get Long over for a try. Sampson became the second player to be dispatched to the sin bin when he was yellow-carded for dissent. By Ian Laybourn, PA Sport Castleford kept their nerve to hold off a spirited Warrington challenge and virtually clinch their place in the Super League Grand Final play-offs. The Tigers, enjoying their best-ever Super League season, edged out the Wolves in a tense encounter at Wilderspool and now need just three points from their last two games to stay on course for a first-ever championship. The outcome finally ended Warrington's play-off dream and the result was also bad news for League new boys Gateshead, who must beat St Helens at Knowsley Road tomorrow to keep alive their slender hopes of squeezing Castleford out of fifth spot. The Wolves have seen their bright hopes extinguished by four defeats in their last five matches. But they played with plenty of spirit and with Brisbane Broncos pair Allan Langer and Andrew Gee set to bolster their side for next season the future looks bright at Wilderspool. The omens are good, too, for Castleford, who recovered superbly from their midweek mauling at St Helens. A converted 24th-minute try from winger Jon Wells was all that separated the sides at half-time. The breakthrough came after long passes from Aaron Raper and Brad Davis stretched the Wolves defence and skipper Adrian Vowles, playing in the centre in the absence of the injured Francis Maloney sent Wells in at the corner. Danny Orr, who missed an earlier penalty kick at goal, landed the touchline conversion and as Castleford threatened to take control, Raper had a try ruled out by the video referee, who had spotted a knock-on as the hooker squeezed through from acting half-back. Warrington had their moments in an exciting, action-packed first half, with centre Jon Roper and winger Mark Forster both denied by last-ditch tackles and Roper's pass to his winger going into touch with the line gaping. With rain falling steadily throughout the second half, Wells' try began to look increasingly precious and Castleford were relieved to edge further in front when Orr put over a penalty after Davis had the ball stolen from a two-man tackle. Davis had earlier missed a glorious try-scoring opportunity when the greasy ball slipped from his grasp in Jason Roach's desperate tackle. Roach then had a try disallowed after the video referee ruled he failed to ground the ball over the line - and the fourth official also ruled out a touchdown from Orr, who lost control of the ball before Warrington at last breached the visitors' defence to set up a tense finish. When substitute Steve McCurrie squeezed the ball out of a three-man tackle the Castleford defence was pulled out of position sufficiently for Briers to get Wilson striding over for a try which Roper improved. Briers almost snatched it when he got his finger tips to his own chip over the Tigers defence but failed to cling on to the ball. Lee Harland (Castleford) and Ian Knott (Warrington) both spent 10 minutes in the sin bin after exchanging punches early in the game. By Steven Baker, PA Sport Castleford are within touching distance of the play-offs after thrashing Halifax at Wheldon Road on Sunday. The Tigers, who scored nine tries, only need to avoid defeat away to struggling Huddersfield next Sunday to secure a top-five finish and a likely meeting with Wigan at their new JJB Stadium on September 19. And even if they were to lose to the Giants, it would take a monumental effort from Gateshead to overhaul Cas, whose points difference is vastly superior to the Thunder's. Castleford had to work hard in the early stages against Halifax, who finished third last year but have nothing to play for this time around. But a three-try blitz in 10 first-half minutes put the Tigers in control and the result was never in doubt once Danny Orr touched down shortly after the restart. Halifax, who were beaten by Huddersfield last week, battled gamely and were in front for a time as player-coach Gary Mercer - who was rewarded for his efforts with a late consolation try - led by example. But their defence wilted under the hot sun as Cas transformed a 6-0 deficit into a 14-6 advantage, and they offered little resistance after half-time. Martin Moana's try, together with an Andy Craig conversion, put the Blue Sox ahead before good work from first Brad Davis and then Orr enabled Richard Gay to touch down in the corner on 22 minutes. Aaron Raper's blindside dart led to Darren Rogers' 20th try of the season and it was a Davis break which cut Halifax open in the build-up to Jon Wells crashing over. Orr converted the first of those three scores and though Andy Craig reduced the arrears with a penalty just before the break, stand-off Orr - one of the British game's brightest young talents - snatched a try and then two goals to stretch his side's lead. After that it was all one-way traffic as Adrian Vowles touched down before Lee Harland took advantage of the absence of Andrew Dunemann, who was in the sin bin, to cross twice in the space of four minutes as the Blue Sox fell apart. Mercer then went over following a flowing move down the right but Cas answered with the try of the match, a superb pass by Gay allowing Orr to sprint 40 metres and touch down between the posts. The 21-year-old added his sixth goal to complete a personal haul of 20 points and Gael Tallec capped off a superb afternoon for the Tigers when he rounded off the scoring with a try in the final minute. By Ian Laybourn, PA Sport Huddersfield are set for the Super League chop after finishing last for the second successive season. The decision to suspend relegation last season could prove to be merely a stay of execution for the lowly Giants, who slumped to the bottom of the pile for the final time after Hull beat Sheffield Eagles in their last match. While Castleford, to the acclaim of the big travelling contingent of supporters, duly collected the points that secured fifth place and a trip to Wigan in the opening round of the play-offs next Sunday, Huddersfield face an anxious fortnight before their future can be resolved. Their only hope of survival would appear to rest on the winners of the Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final failing to meet Super League standards. Of the three remaining contenders, only Widnes are certain to meet the criteria laid down for entry. Only the partisan fans in the 4,405 crowd at the McAlpine Stadium gave their side much of a chance of toppling the Tigers and the game went largely according to the formbook as Huddersfield, with the worst defence in the League, went through the 1,000 point mark. The Giants made an awful start, conceding two tries in the first seven minutes to centre Michael Eagar and winger Darren Rogers, who finished with a hat-trick. Fortunately for Huddersfield, Danny Orr could not add the conversions and they responded with a spirited fightback. Lively stand-off Gene Ngamu, denied a try when Rogers got back to clear his kick to the line, crossed on 27 minutes when recent signings Dean Lawford and Troy Slattery combined to get the New Zealander racing through a gap and he twisted out of Richard Gay's tackle to score a precious try. But Ngamu was narrowly wide with the goal attempt and all Huddersfield's fine work was ruined in the space of two minutes just before half-time when Castleford second-rower Lee Harland squeezed a pass out of a two-man tackle for skipper Adrian Vowles to score and then Rogers started and finished a sparkling move down the left flank for his second try. Orr made the most of the easier positions to land both goals and stretch his side's lead to a daunting 16 points by half-time. The mood of the home fans quickly descended into one of sombre resignation, particularly as the giant TV screen flashed up the mounting score of relegation rivals Hull. Huddersfield briefly rekindled their hopes with a try within two minutes of the restart from centre Martin Gleeson, which Ngamu converted, but their fragile defence once more let them down as the visitors registered three further tries. Tigers substitute winger Jon Wells touched down after Dale Fritz had intercepted Ngamu's pass in a promising attacking position, hooker Aaron Raper went over from acting half-back and Rogers completed his hat-trick on 67 minutes. By Ian Laybourn, PA Sport Castleford stayed on course for the first championship in their 73-year history and left Wigan to contemplate a first trophy-less season for 15 years after pulling off a surprise win at the new JJB Stadium. The Tigers, who went into the tie as 16-1 outsiders to win next month's Old Trafford Grand Final, completed their third victory of the season over Wigan to clinch a place in the Super League's elimination semi-final at Leeds next Friday. Reigning champions Wigan, who last failed to pick up silverware in 1983-84, were denied by a wonderful defensive display from the Yorkshiremen - and the width of a post! As the Warriors pressed for victory during a terrific second-half onslaught on the Castleford line, full-back Kris Radlinski looked to have won the race to Gavin Clinch's grubber kick only to collide with the upright and fail to ground the ball. The Tigers made the most of the let-off amid a tense atmosphere to send their 3,000 travelling fans wild with delight. Castleford, the only side to complete the League double over Wigan in 1999, tackled their way to a famous victory but they also had the more astute kicking game, perfectly illustrated when the skilful Danny Orr created two first-half tries. Centre Michael Eagar grabbed the first after Jason Robinson, attempting to palm the ball "dead" following Orr's high kick, succeeded only in popping it up in the air. And skipper Adrian Vowles then pounced on the stand-off's slide-rule kick and beat Danny Moore to the touch after the ball had taken a wicked deflection off Kris Radlinski. With Orr kicking two goals, the Tigers enjoyed a deserved 12-6 half-time lead as the Wigan script began to go awry. The Warriors had made a dream start, when Denis Betts - who had scored the 111th try of his career in the final match at Central Park - raced in for the first points at the Warriors' new home. That followed a splendid break by centre Paul Johnson and carried on by Gavin Clinch, but Castleford had already served notice of their intentions when Brad Davis set up an early chance for second rower Lee Harland. Radlinski saved the day for his side on that occasion and was called on to make a series of last-ditch tackles as the Yorkshiremen opted to use the full width of the pristine pitch. A couple of penalties from Andy Farrell early in the second half kept Wigan within striking distance and Betts would surely have scored a decisive try had he taken Farrell's past with the line breached. Orr then gave his side breathing space with a timely penalty after Betts had been penalised for a "flop" on Jason Flowers but Wigan still had a chance to win it when Radlinski was thwarted by the woodwork. By Ian Laybourn, PA Sport Graham Murray's coaching reign at Leeds ended as it began with a home defeat at the hands of their West Yorkshire neighbours. The popular Australian who guided Leeds to their first major trophy in 21 years bowed out of Super League on an anti-climactic note as Castleford Tigers successfully followed up their knockout of reigning Super League champions Wigan. While Castleford can look forward to a final eliminator against Bradford or St Helens next weekend, Murray can get ready to pack his bags and head off to an uncertain future in Australia. Murray, who began his Leeds spell with a 15-12 Headingley defeat by Castleford in the 1997 Challenge Cup, may never get the chance to take up his appointment as head coach of North Sydney, who look set for a merger with Manly. The former Illawarra and Hunter Mariners boss, who guided the Rhinos to Challenge Cup glory earlier this year, stayed on the pitch for an emotional farewell at the end of the match, and there were tears too for fellow Australians Brad Godden and Marc Glanville, for whom defeat meant a premature end to their careers. It took a soft try from Castleford forward Dale Fritz four minutes from the end to finally settle a thrilling encounter in an elimination semi-final which kept a 16,000 crowd spellbound. Castleford were full value for their 14-2 interval lead, courtesy of two quickfire tries and some surefire defence, but they were rocking when Leeds hit back to level the scores at 16-16 thanks to two quick tries from Francis Cummins. Extra time was looming when the outstanding Aaron Raper broke the deadlock with a 74th-minute drop goal, and then Fritz forced his way over for the clinching try after Leeds' new signing Keith Senior had lost possession inside his own 20-metre area. Centre Michael Eagar gave the visitors an eighth-minute lead when he got on the end of a barnstorming run from Dean Sampson, who once more underlined his position as the form prop forward in English rugby league. Raper, a forward who possesses brains as well as brawn, then created a second try, gaining an attacking position from a successful 40-20 kick and catching the Rhinos out with a rapid play-the-ball to get captain Adrian Vowles charging over on the burst. Danny Orr put over both angled conversions to make it 12-0 before Leeds knew what had hit them, and the stand-off then added a 37th-minute penalty after substitute Lee Jackson had held down Ian Tonks in the tackle. The Tigers picked up from where they left off at Wigan, scrambling to devastating effect and snuffing out the threat of Leeds captain Iestyn Harris in particular. Harris had missed with his first shot at goal but succeeded with penalties either side of the interval to cut the deficit to 10 points. That encouraged the home side, and the introduction of former Castleford forward Andy Hay as an impact player immediately injected new life into the Rhinos. Morley and Hay had already exposed rare chinks in the Rhinos armoury when Anthony Farrell got Cummins racing in at the corner on 61 minutes and seven minutes later Daryl Powell worked a run-around with Brad Godden to get the left-winger in for his second. Harris added both conversions, including his 166th of the season to break the 42-year-old club record of Lewis Jones, to tie the scores. Orr was then off target for the first time on the night as he sought to break the deadlock with a 30-metre penalty, but Raper succeeded with his precious one-pointer before Fritz had the final say. By Ian Laybourn, PA Sport Sean Long led a "miraculous" return from injury as St Helens booked a place in next Saturday's JJB Super League Grand Final against Bradford Bulls at Old Trafford. Saints coach Ellery Hanley had claimed that only a miracle would enable the Great Britain half-back to participate in the play-offs after he had been out for a month with a sprung shoulder. But Long, who ended speculation over his future by signing a new four-year contract before kick-off, produced a wonderful cameo role to see off surprise qualifiers Castleford in Sunday night's final eliminator at Knowsley Road. Long came off the bench after 22 minutes with his side trailing 6-4. But, by the time he was rested 14 minutes from the end, Saints had the game sewn up thanks largely to an 18-point burst from their scoring machine. Long created a try within 10 minutes of his introduction as half-back partner Tommy Martyn raced on to one of his trademark grubber kicks to put Saints 10-6 ahead at half-time. The second half was just 45 seconds old when Long grabbed a crucial try of his own. Taking a pass from dummy-half Chris Smith, he beat three defenders on a mazy run from halfway to touch down for a glorious solo effort. Castleford briefly threatened to get back in the game but they were polished off on 57 minutes by that man Long when he took a pass from Kevin Iro, who had caught the Tigers defence out with a clever switch of play, and slid over the line. Long added both conversions, put over a 61st-minute penalty and tagged on the goal following Chris Joynt's 64th-minute try to make it five goals from as many attempts before taking a well-earned breather. Saints continued on their rampant way after Long's departure, with Martyn claiming a second try and substitute Paul Wellens kicking the conversion. It was emphatic enough in the end. But Castleford, who had conceded 75 points in two League games against Saints, put up a braver performance than the final scoreline suggests. Saints opened the scoring after only four minutes when Castleford winger Darren Rogers knocked on from Paul Sculthorpe's grubber kick - and, from the resulting scrum, Iro knocked off the attempted tackle by Flowers to get Anthony Sullivan over for his 27th try of the season. Castleford were forced to reproduce the wonderful scrambling defence that earned them memorable wins over Wigan and Leeds to keep them in the game at that stage but they hit back in spirited fashion. Prop Dean Sampson produced a typical barnstorming run, and stand-off Danny Orr split the defence from the next play to get Flowers over. Orr's goal made it 6-4, and Castleford almost extended their lead on 28 minutes when the stand-off re-gathered his own clever chip over the Saints defence to give Gay a sight of the tryline. The Tigers right-winger needs just one try to register the 100th of his career but he was denied by the video referee, who spotted a foot in touch. Saints made the most of the let-off, with Long and Martyn producing their old one-two to give their side a decided advantage by the break - and they never looked back. |
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