Hull Kingston Rovers fought back from eight points down to win a thrilling Super League game at the Jungle.
Castleford Tigers started brightly when Michael Wainwright ran in after three minutes. Six minutes later the Tigers grabbed another try when Brett Sherwin's kick got through the defence and Shaun Ainscough dribbled past Shaun Briscoe to claim the first of an eventual hat-trick. Joe Westerman converted and Castleford led 10-0.
Rovers were rarely in the game during the opening 20 minutes and it took an excellent 40-20 from Scott Murrell to get them moving. From the possession Hull KR got within sight of the tryline and only good defence stopped them before Murrell nipped over by the side of the posts. Michael Dobson converted and then latched onto a Chaz I'Anson kick after 28 minutes. Ainscough saw a try disallowed before halftime but Rovers held a narrow advantage.
Three minutes into the new half Ryan Hudson, Sherwin and Ryan McGoldrick combined for Ainscough's second before good centre play from James Evans saw the on-loan Wigan winger claim his third.
Cue the Hull KR fightback. First a Dobson kick to in-goal was missed by Kris Welham and touched down by Ben Cockayne after Ainscough flyhacked at the ball. This allowed the halfback to convert. With fifteen minutes remaining there was everything to play for.
Ainscough was forced to put the ball dead after 71 minutes and the ensuing drop out set the position for the controversial game winner.
Prop forward Liam Watts was the scorer after another Dobson kick riccocheted off a couple defenders. Watts appeared to lose control but after consulting the video referee, the try was awarded and Dobson kicked his fourth goal.
Castleford had a couple of late chances when Evans was tackled close to the line and then in the last minute the win was confirmed for Rovers after Mitchell Sargent knocked on 20 metres out following some sparkling offloads.
CASTLEFORD: Tries: Ainscough 3, Wainwright. Goals: Westerman 2.
HULL KR: Tries: Murrell, Dobson, Cockayne, Watts. Goals: Dobson 4.
Referee: Mr P Bentham
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