Eden hat-trick helps Cas end losing run

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By Sky Sports Rugby League

Last Updated: 22/10/20 8:52pm

Greg Eden scored three tries in Castleford's win over Hull KR Greg Eden scored three tries in Castleford's win over Hull KR

Greg Eden scored three tries in Castleford’s win over Hull KR

A hat-trick from Greg Eden helped Castleford end their six-game losing run as they overcame Hull Kingston Rovers 38-24 in Thursday’s Super League match.

Despite having arrived late in St Helens due to being stuck in traffic on the M62 and kick-off being put back an hour as a result, Castleford made a flying start and ran in four tries in the opening 24 minutes before Rovers pulled it back to 26-18 at the break.

The Robins, overseen by assistant coach David Hodgson with Tony Smith in self-isolation, kept plugging away in the second half, but former player Eden crossed another two times to go with his first-half score and sealed a much-needed win for Daryl Powell’s side.

Jacques O'Neill forced his way over to put Castleford in front Jacques O'Neill forced his way over to put Castleford in front

Jacques O’Neill forced his way over to put Castleford in front

Powell handed a debut to youngsters Bailey Hodgson and Brad Martin but lost experienced forward Nathan Massey after just two minutes with a rib injury.

However, a strong run by forward Junior Moors created the position for hooker Jacques O’Neill to score the first try from dummy half while second rower Alex Foster dribbled the ball to the line from Mike McMeeken’s offload to grab the second.

The Tigers then took full advantage of a knock-on near his own line by winger Ben Crooks to add a third try through loose forward Adam Milner and Eden scored his first try after intercepting Weller Hauraki’s pass 40 metres out from the line.

Danny Richardson kicked all four conversions to make it 24-0 but Rovers, playing with the freedom afforded to them without the fear of relegation, struck back with three tries in 10 minutes to haul themselves back into contention.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall's try helped Hull KR narrow the gap at half time Shaun Kenny-Dowall's try helped Hull KR narrow the gap at half time

Shaun Kenny-Dowall’s try helped Hull KR narrow the gap at half time

Loose forward Elliot Minchella sparked the fightback, getting prop Robbie Mulhern through a gap in the Castleford defence for the first try, before winning the race to Jordan Abdull’s grubber kick for the second.

Will Dagger kicked both conversions to halve the deficit and he was also on target after a delayed pass by half-back Rowan Milnes got centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall over for the Robins’ third try.

Richardson stopped the rot with a penalty on the stroke of half-time and Castleford looked to have regained control three minutes into the second half when Eden took Paul McShane’s cut-out pass to score his second try.

Richardson’s sixth goal from as many attempts opened up a 14-point gap but still Rovers were not finished as they exposed further chinks in their opponents’ fragile defence.

Matt Parcell's try kept Hull KR in the game in the second half Matt Parcell's try kept Hull KR in the game in the second half

Matt Parcell’s try kept Hull KR in the game in the second half

Back rower Matty Gee had a try disallowed by video referee Tom Grant, but there was no denying hooker Matt Parcell as he stepped out of tackles to score his side’s fourth try on 64 minutes.

But Castleford always looked to have the edge and they made sure of the points when another clever cut-out pass by McShane enabled Eden to complete his hat-trick seven minutes from the end.

Richardson lost his 100 per cent record by missing the conversion but wrapped up the scoring with a last-minute penalty.

Post-match reaction

1:42
Daryl Powell just felt that ‘Castleford need to win today’ after putting themselves under pressure against Hull KR.

Daryl Powell just felt that ‘Castleford need to win today’ after putting themselves under pressure against Hull KR.

1:04
Man of the Match Greg Eden, felt Castleford put pressure on themselves after letting Hull KR back into the match after being 24-0 up.

Man of the Match Greg Eden, felt Castleford put pressure on themselves after letting Hull KR back into the match after being 24-0 up.

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