Quarter-Final: Hull v Castleford Rugby League: Challenge Cup

Let me tell you a story about the Tigers, the kings of the Jungle.

Ruling the Wyles of Super League. Devouring all in their path. They

stalk and prole. COMMENTATOR: Castleford are so easy on the eye.

And dazzle and growl. Castleford unstoppable. Crafty. Castleford have

fire in their nostrils. Agile. Beckham score from anywhere.

Magnificent. In a class of their own. Castleford, that tells you

their story. -- able to score from anywhere. Today their travel east to

a kingdom by the sea where something spectacular lies in wait, Hull FC,

awash with strength and graft. Great tackle, nailed him. And no shortage

of craft. Styled by Albert Kelly. Those who dare walk these shores to

ferocious photo. Do you think he felt that? I thing he did. The

cup-holders. In the most prophetic of circumstances. Determined to hold

onto their throne. Black and White all over! Hull FC versus the

Castleford Tigers. How will our story end?

A suitably highbrow opening to welcome you to the City of Culture

on a beautifully sunny day at the KCOM Stadium for a mouthwatering

Ladbrokes Challenge Cup quarterfinal between the holders Hull FC Super

League runaway leaders Castleford. The Tigers have been imperious form

this season but depending on which holed turn up they could be in for a

stern test in the sunshine this afternoon and there is not a cloud

in the sky here. It really is a warm afternoon. I am delighted to say we

are joined by the St Helens captain Jon Wilkin, from the other side of

Hull, Hull KR's rugby manager Jamie Peacock, and fresh from his

comeback, Wigan's Sam Tomkins. Let's look back on Sam Bosma game

yesterday against the Warrington Wolves with the help of Stefan

Ratchford from the Wolves wearing the player microphone.

COMMENTATOR: Here is Powell, O'Loughlin, quick hands, he has

Burgess to his left. He looks to take the pass and has done to

perfection and Wigan have first blood. Short side, don't even let

him think about coming to you. COMMENTATOR: Back to Sutton,

off-load, Tompkins goes left, here is Williams, out to Burgess, and

Burgess! Be patient. Tackle six next, it comes back, the kick to ask

a question or two and what a take by Ryan Atkins. Great take! George King

come down on the ground, only touching distance away. Atkins into

the in-goal area and he has his second. Good work, Sausage.

Williams again. Leuluai and back to Tompkins and Gelling, it looked

forward but Marshall is allowed to carry on. Atkins can't keep hold of

them and somehow the Marshall does get try number eight. Twists and

turns in this game. The flat pass. Sevelio is over. Come on!

Sam Tomkins and Bateman insider Kerber defenders and suddenly it

opens up, and as easy as that, John Bateman. Three times we have said

completion of the points. Simple instruction, boys.

Sam Tomkins is going for the drop goal. That is one point that might

just take it out of Warrington's reach. Gidley, little dummy shown,

Gidley! There is the class., on, ten minutes, we need you.

It is going to be settled in the last two minutes. It is out of play,

it is a penalty back on the halfway line. This gives Warrington a chance

to kick for goal and potentially win the game.

He has hit it well, he has hit it long enough, has he got it? No, no,

it has gone wide. Last play of the game. Declan Patton's drop-kick,

he's put it wide. He's put it wide right on the hooter. That was the

point that could have kept their season alive. What a cup tie, what a

finish. Good match, Sammy, nice to see you. And what a game we had,

these are the results we have had so far, Salford, Leeds and Wigan

through to the semifinals. Today it is Hull FC against Castleford. Sam,

after ten months or so out how are you feeling after that not? A bit

sunburnt and the body is very sore as well but it's a feeling I've been

wanting for a while. You were shaking your head watching some of

those highlights, particularly when the restart went out. There is one

thing that Joe Burgess did not need to do and that was kick it out on

the full. We can joke about it now but it was certainly not funny when

he put it out but luckily Stefan's went wide just afterwards. It was an

incredible blasphemers, what was it like for you guys? It was a tough 80

minutes, Warrington never stop coming at you and I felt like we

kept getting in front and then we would kick ourselves, or give

penalties, the silly errors which kept letting them back into it, so

by the last five minutes both teams were pretty much out on their feet

and it could have gone either way, only in the last second, that drop

goal, Declan Patton is a great kicker, and he would have kicked

nine out of ten of those. Your own drop goal, was that a planned move,

or something off-the-cuff? I were supposed to pass it to Thomas

Leuluai but he is behind me and I got a dodgy pass and thought there

was not pressure on me so I stuck my foot through it and was only five

metres away. Have you been practising those? No, I've not

kicked a ball for nine months, it's not something I've been doing in

rehab training so I was pretty surprised when I hit it like that.

Good to see you playing rugby as you should be. What we expected a? It is

a beautiful day. I'm just about staging an evaporation here, I'm

going to disappear very shortly. It is beautiful weather, fantastic

conditions, two form sides, Castleford with the ball challenge

teams more than anyone else. Hull have a huge and powerful team but

that can be their weakness today in these conditions, if they don't

control the ball and Castleford move it a lot it will be tricky for them

to win the energy battle. And exciting game and I look forward to

seeing Castleford move the ball around today. We laugh about the

conditions but there is no air in this stadium. It is cranked up even

from yesterday and it's going to be very difficult for the sides. John

has got it right, completion of your sets and completion and not giving

away panel -- penalties is the key. Hull have power play but they have

three players they give away more errors than anyone else in the

league so they have to watch that. If we look a little bit warmer in

the studio, for give us, it is very warm and the lights are warning us

up. This is the Super League table, Castleford having a fantastic

season, six points clear at the top, Hull going up-and-down but have hit

form of late. They are in fourth position. One of the key factors for

the Tigers's superb season so far has been the spectacular form of

Greg Eden. Playing some quite exciting rugby

and to be on the end of it is pretty special. Gale, she and Commander

Shaq, they have set me up quite a lot. When you are on the end of this

sometimes it is simple to score tries, that's one of those moments.

He's a great finisher. The kind of personal we have in this team is

superior, we have everything we need, Jesse and Junior, they are two

fast brothers, it makes it easier, this is the best team Cas have had

for a long time, since before my time, when they were good back in

the 70s. Minikin, romping to victory now. As winners and centres we are

practising finishing off in training. Since the new rules came

in about the flag and that you can touch it it's all about instinct and

getting some airtime really. Step by Eden, has he touched it down? The

defender is coming across so I have kind of got to shimmy, or deceive

him as to where I will go, so maybe put a step on him, jump as high as

you can, a bit more acrobatic if you can touch the flag, so make sure you

are in field, try and get the ball down in the try line touching no

white line. Denny Solomona left at the start of

the season and there has been lots of speculation over me taking his

position and whether I will get more tries and break the record. If that

happens, so be it, I am happy to be a part of it and keep playing like

we are. My first year was at Huddersfield and I wasn't expecting

to play any games and I ended up playing all of them, I had two years

at Hull KR that was mixed, some good games and some bad games and a bit

of hype from the media. I thought it was time for me to have a break and

get over to Australia which I enjoyed my two years there. They

were probably the best two years of my life. Greg Eden has the pace, his

got past one, streaking down the right-hand side, the former

Huddersfield and Hull KR man will go over for a debut try. Something that

I'd always wanted to do, play in a World Club Challenge and when I got

called up I was ecstatic and so were my family back home. Great time for

me. I think this will be one of the biggest games of the year. Two form

teams and Hull are playing well. I am not very well liked over there.

We will see how it goes. They have some good fans, they like to back

their own team but so have we at Cas and we travelled well so it will be

a good atmosphere. STUDIO: Jon, take us through the

Castleford team. At full-back, Zak Hardaker, Greta Bull player, Greg

Eden, the try scoring machine. Really experienced centre

partnership, Jake Webster and Michael Shenton, in the form of his

life. These two will pull the strings for Castleford today, Luke

Gale and Ben Roberts, Ray kicking game and support play. Really

important for the team is Andy Lynch, fastly experience, when he

plays the ball quickly to watch out for Paul McShane running. -- vastly

experienced. In the back row Adam Milner to tidy up and do the dirty

stuff. On the bench, hugely important, Grant Millington, watch

out for in moving the ball for Castleford, and Alex Foster. The

final bench spots, Kevin Larroyer and Larne Patrick coming into the

team. Sam, when Denny Solomona left as mentioned by Greg, they wondered

where the tries might come from and he is outstripping Denny. Benny had

scored 22 in Super League at this point and Greg is already on 30.

What is it about him? He is just a great athlete and very quick,

playing on the left side for Castleford you will get a lot of

opportunities, lots of the play goes that way, Luke Gale and Shenton's

hams have probably delivered him half of those tries. He is also a

finisher. -- hands. Sometimes you think you have defended a bloke like

him and got right in the corner and he jumps in the air and gets the

ball down. That is something you can't really teach. Take us through

the left edge, because it's not just Greg Eden, there is a lot of work

that goes into getting those opportunities. The middle are

important but it's all about position, great attacking players in

Gale and Hardaker and Eden but look at the line that Shenton runs,

perfect to create space out wide to give the ball to Eden. When we are

watching these clips look at the quality of catching and passing from

the side, again, the forwards involved, mowers and Millington,

allowing Hardaker to have space out wide, the timing of the run and

quality of passing is better than any other site -- Moores. Gay Lance

Hart acre are linking up well and when you hear them talk about the

players they are running -- Gale and Hardaker. Execution is crucial. And

in here again you can see Zac is an outstanding attacking player. He

plays within a great disciplined and structured side but he has this

individual ability to score tries out of absolutely nothing, the same

as Greg Eden and Shenton and Luke Gale and that is why they are so

important, they have that individual prowess within a very structured and

disciplined and clever system. One player out for Castleford is Junior

Moors, how big a mess could he be? He is big, he brings lots of

variation to what Castleford do, he is big and powerful and changes

direction and gets Castleford moving forward but they have Millington on

the bench who is equally good at that job as well. There is lots of

support for Castleford in the middle of the field and they like to move

the ball through the field so watch out for them touching the ball

today. He is a big miss for them because Castleford playing well and

having these players going forward, you talked earlier about having to

negate Castleford's go forward and Junior Moors is a big part of that.

All of the slick players they put on on the left edge, they are always

coming off the back of the wings on the edge, very often they have four

or five defenders sucked in to tackle one bloke. When you are

trying to defend what is already a slick attack but you are missing a

bloke because he's been left on the floor by somebody else from the

Castleford side it is tough. How are Castleford going to play today? Who

is their game plan. They have lived up to their

reputation this year, Cas. One thing we should keep an eye on is the

left-hand attacking unit, one of their go to plays, some of the best

players in the competition, look at this man stretching out down here,

Greg Eden, over the course of 2017 he has scored 34 tries, gets on the

back of the left-hand unit and near the try line, extremely dynamic and

knows how to put the ball over the line, not only that but creating

opportunities in space as well. Alongside him here is Shenton, out

and out England player Sene-Lefao, another player doing a lot of great

things on the edge and also having Zak Hardaker in the back of the

field, just getting into the back line. The man that will make it work

is this man here, Luke Gale, England international half-backs. Can I grab

a quick word? How preparations gone? It has been a really good week,

tough conditions and I think the team handle these better so we will

win today. It will be about ball retention at not giving up the pill?

Exactly, you've got to keep hold of the ball in this weather and

hopefully it comes. All the very best. Let's hear from the two

coaches, Lee Radford and Daryl Powell. They've been talking to

Damian Johnson. Challenge Cup holders, playing at

home but most people happy down as underdogs, does that suit you? Is it

fair? We will take that, knockout football, Castleford are top of the

table at the moment and rightly so, they have been very consistent this

year but on our day we would like to think we are a match for anybody,

particularly at home. It is no different today. You are top of the

league, Castleford are in a good place at the moment, I sense. Yes,

absolutely, this is a completely different competition, though, isn't

it? We are at the home of the holders of the Challenge Cup so they

will be very confident and for us it's about doing ourselves justice

and performing to the standards that we know we can. You got players

back, Danny Houghton specifically. How important is that given how he

seems to is at the tempo for you? He is huge for what we do. Obviously

just left out of the England squad as well to the lad who is playing

opposite today so that will be another intriguing battle and one

I'm looking forward to watching. It is knockout football, they have lots

of experience from last year and for us it is putting down a marker and

showing that whether we go to whatever competition we are going to

be challengers in every department and that's the challenge for us

today. Castleford are bang in form but they

do face formidable opponents today in Hull who, of course, lifted the

Challenge Cup last year at Wembley and in doing so ended one of rugby

league's injuring who dos. # Let's take it right back to where

we used to go # And never look back

# We only look forward # Our hearts broken from the start

# With the feeling # Only to be told by the writing on

the wall # COMMENTATOR: That kick from Sneyd

has turned it all around. Up it goes and taken and it is scored, what a

turnaround! Sneyd puts it up in the air, the big leap, that he comes and

it's in, Jamie Shaul underneath the sticks. They have found themselves

in a winning position. He has lost it on the line! History is made in

the most dramatic of circumstances! The back 34 Hull, Steve Michaels,

the tricky Jamie Shaul and power and pace of Fetuli Talanoa on the wing.

The powerhouse Mahe Fonua and Carlos Tuimavave. This is the man we need

to talk about, Albert Kelly, without doubt, they go to play in Super

League in creating opportunities and tries, look out for him today. In

the front row Josh Bowden, workforce Danny Houghton and Liam Watts.

Vastly experienced back row, Danny Washbrook, Sika Manu and the

energetic Mark Minichiello. On the bench, Brad Fash, Scott Taylor,

England international. Jordan Thompson and Jansin Turgut finished

the bench for Hull. So, what is their game plan, back down to

Robbie. If there is any team in the competition that can match classic

Cas with unpredictable idiots got to be these guys, Hull FC. One of the

players I want you to keep an eye on is their full-back, Jamie Shaul,

absolutely brilliant in broken play, when he is carrying the ball back he

moves at speed, not the biggest bloke in the world, so he is loath

to the ground and has brilliant footwork. Another player, probably

the man who is the most unpredictable player in the Super

League is this guy, Albert Kelly, just giving away a kick at this

point, having a stretch. I want to grab a quick word with you, Albert.

You enjoyed the cup final couple of years ago with Hull KR. How

important is it for you to get this year? It's very important. That

atmosphere, that build-up down in Wembley was, you know, spectacular,

and I want to feel it again. All the very best for today. Keep your eye

on him, brilliantly unpredictable player, anything can happen, watch

him during this game. The atmosphere is building nicely here. You talked

about Albert Kelly and Robbie has picked him out, why is he so key to

Hull? It's the unpredictable stuff he brings, he is thirsty to score

tries and we have a clip here that exposes what he is about, travelling

across field, picks up runners, his instincts are to support the break

and score a try. Here we can see that he is doing things other

players are not doing, he is first to the loose ball all the time and

hacks it ahead and score is a great try. He's doing this once or twice

every game which is incredible. We can see her strength here and that

is an asset to his game. He is strong but in an unusual way and

balanced, this try against you was incredible, Sam. He is deceptively

strong but you can see here that he runs three or four players off with

ease and what he has got is he is just a competitor. When he gets near

the line his want to get over it is huge. He's not going to be as heavy

or strong as some blokes he beats irregularly. I think he is a player

that if you give him the ball he will create something. This is what

Lee Radford will want to see today, VC Albert Kelly racing through on a

long-distance break it means Hull have got the right side of this.

They need him to have a big day and there is expectation and pressure on

his shoulders to deliver. Has he changed the way Hull play? I think

so, he's given them an element of unpredictability, beforehand they

were very structured and you knew what to expect. I think him and

Sneyd, even though he's not playing, the culmination they they have got

the perfect balance, Sneyd guide you around the field and kicks well and

then Albert Kelly can just pick up the ball and get a loose pass and

make something of it. He is very tough to defend. You basically can't

prep for someone who is as unpredictable as him. You are part

of the Leeds team that famously kept losing the Challenge Cup and finally

won the Challenge Cup. How much more desperate were you to hang onto it

the next season? You are desperate but it's one of the best days of

your life winning the Challenge Cup, especially if you're club has not

done it for a while. The players will be thinking about the weekend,

the game and time afterwards and all of that will be in the back of their

mind and giving them emotional fortitude going into this. They will

want to win the game, the added edge, they want to get back to

Wembley and have one of the greatest games of their lives. And for

Castleford as welcome as things stand, they will have some big games

at the end of the season. This is almost the dress rehearsal, they can

come through this we start looking at them winning Grand Finals.

Castleford are in a great position, top of the Super League, Challenge

Cup quarterfinals, but ultimately no trophies have been won yet, the big

games for Castleford are to come and the biggest game of their season is

today, that's the biggest game for Castleford. Forget what has happened

before, and in the huddle they will talk about sticking to the processes

that have worked and Michael Shenton will be hammering home in this

huddle about the processes that have worked for them and getting into the

shape they like playing with, being consistent for the guy next to you

on the field. Luke Gale is crucial today has well, his ability to

manage the game for Castleford. Hull FC have got the power game and the

Challenge Cup suits the power game, it's that type of rugby, different

to Super League so the key for them is how they manage the game. It will

be exciting to see how it goes. What Hull have got on their side is most

of the players in this team played in the final last year. To win big

games you need players involved in them before. Leeds finished fifth at

the end of the season but getting to Grand Finals because they know how

to win big games. No one in the Castleford team has got that so that

is a test coming up against a Hull Sauber have recently lifted the

trophy. It is a terrific atmosphere in here. I can't wait for this one,

this is the one when it came out in the draw that I thought could be a

cracker, Wigan and Warrington delivered yesterday and this could

be even better today. Just a few days ago Hull FC's legendary coach

passed away at the age of 80. Today the club has invited along some of

the players who played for him during the club's most successful

period in the late 70s and 80s and those players form a guard of honour

for today's teams. We hand you over to our comedy team of Brian Noble,

Jonathan Davies and Dave Woods. COMMENTATOR: Emotional start to the

day, some of those names down there, Garry Schofield, Lee Brooks, Keith

Trimble, Tony Dukes, Sammy Lloyd, the great Johnny Whiteley is down

there as well. Shone Padraig Amond Barry Edwards, Stan Pickering, I

hope we haven't left any out because they provide us with a truly great

guard of honour in memory of the truly great Arthur Bunting. Having a

moment of reflection on his life in just a few moments. Danny Houghton

is standing there waiting to lead the home team out and on the other

side Michael Shenton. Such terrific experience contained in both of

those players, recent and long history in the game of rugby league.

Here we go. Listen to the noise as they come out. It's a really good

atmosphere. Here is the proud son of Arthur

Bunting, Paul bunting, bringing on the ball and grandchildren Fiona,

Gemma and Bethany helping out as well. Are so of course guided his

team to the trophy that has just been passed in 1982. -- Arthur. So

many trophies lifted by his great side, one of the great architects of

the game, Arthur Bunting, a real thinker and man manager Lee Brooks

was telling us a while ago. He was a man who took his holidays in America

so he could go and see what they were doing in the NFL. We are going

to have a moment's silence in his memory now, but also in memory of

the victims in the recent London fire as well.

The match ball was brought onto the field by Arthur's son Paul as well

as his grand daughters. the minute's silence would begin on

the referee's whistle. APPLAUSE

Wonderfully observed. An extra sadness from the city of

Hull with the news that Dick Gemmell has also passed away. Made his debut

in 1961. Great Britain international and tour manager, 1979 and 1984,

Brian Noble, when you were his skipper. This is the way they were

lining up today. Hull, many of them featuring at Wembley last August.

Taylor returning after missing last week's Super League game. Castleford

have been the perfect combination of glitter and grunt. They see powerful

centre Jake Webster returning to the line-up today. On the bench, Larne

Patrick, getting his first outing of the season. The referee today is Phi

and the video referee is James Child. Boy, are we looking forward

to this. Greg Eden, 33 tries, he cannot stop scoring. Five hat tricks

in the last six games. Plenty of Pedigree writ large across this cup

tie. Castleford the team of the season so far, but nobody has won

any silverware yet and Hull daunting opposition. We have a contrast in

style, north to south, Power personified in the Hull team, with

Kelly, the sprinkling of magic. A team that likes to throw the ball

around and play both types of football. Attracted all the plaudits

and rightly so. This is the test for Castleford, the business end of the

season. This is where they have to produce the performances. Top level,

they have been a brilliant side to watch. As Jamie said in the studio,

the contrasting style, X Factor players. Brilliant conditions. A

fascinating encounter. Really looking forward to it. Eden will

have a dabble out at dummy half. Glorious sunshine. We will try not

to over labour the point it is very, very warm, and it will be very

difficult for these sides in exhausting conditions. It is a

factor. We will not over labour the point but it does affect the players

and looking after the ball, as they said at the top of the show, will be

vital. Talanoa, another of those huge three

quarters that Hull possess. That tackle, everybody remembers that

tackle from last year. He is a handful, Sika Manu. That was a sixth

tackle. I think Hull miscounted. Minichiello confuse. Wanting to

carry on the play, they got back -- got excited. Discipline will be

important as we saw yesterday. Safety conscious early doors in cup

matches. Andy Lynch took that last, making his 500th Super League

appearance last week. A penalty. The Oracle has spoken. Give penalty

away, feel position away, Hull under pressure. Controlling your emotion.

He has got in the first time and he knows Shenton is a form centre, grab

hold of him, trying to drag him over the touchline. Position set for

Castleford. Gale throwing it backwards and it

was intercepted and Hull have a chance to go the distance. Tuimavave

will accept the gift. What about that? It was a gift. It was a gift.

Hull, from being on the back foot, suddenly find themselves on the

front foot with two of our seagoing 80 yards to score. Talking about

picking pockets. Castleford have the numbers. Piling down the right-hand

side and the ball was going the other way, such a good steel. He had

to take a chance because I think he was outnumbered. A 12 point. They

offload and he reads it well. Two players to pick and he picks the

right one, goes for the intercept. Great intercept. The ball maybe

should have gone behind the player. Zak Hardaker, if he gets it, he is

in, or, the winger is in but a great intercept. Well read, Tuimavave.

After the penalty comes a try. He had to do that. I do not know who

was on the inside of him. Connor with the conversion attempt and he

has kicked it. Marc Sneyd got involved because of injury but can

Minichiello has been kicking well in his absence. Think somebody slipped

on the inside. I am not sure he had much chance. Confronted by numbers.

Took the chance, Tuimavave, and it came up trumps. Creating so many

opportunities and overlaps and they did it with a wrong pass and a great

read. Hull listed massively. -- listed

Penalty again. They were not making great yards. They wanted a simple

set, clear their lines, and now they have been given the old helping

hand. The one thing you did not want to do with Hull is allow them to

play in the 20 metre area. They have huge ball-carriers. A lot of talent.

Tuimavave, Minichiello. I think we have Scott Taylor as a starter but

it is Josh Bowden starting, wearing 22. Danny Washbrook had a man of the

match performance against Salford last week, as a hooker. Now Connor.

Way over. Talanoa. Hull have a second. We thought it would be

Castleford who might have ripped their opponents apart, but that

might be coming from the other side here. We have to look at this again.

The referee thinking it is a try, but he wants a second opinion, so

let's hear from the video referee, James Cammack child. We are taking

obstruction to begin with. Hull in possession. We are OK up to now. Got

this one are coming through. Stops short of the line, that is OK, Ron

Matchroom. Pass out to the ants, receives the ball.

Look at the grounding. -- out to the wind.

Still in possession. That is a try. Try confirmed. Second try. What a

fast start by Hull. One person I did not mention was Talanoa in the list

of barnstorming individuals and he had a one-on-one opportunity at the

end of this play and it was a mismatch at this point. He kept his

legs pumping and said, you ain't going to stop me. Watch this.

Creating numbers. Talanoa, one on one, 212. Webster cannot get there.

You have to keep them away from the try line. They are such a powerful

side. Connor with the second conversion attempt. What a kick. The

Cas players were just standing in there in-goal area. I do not think

they have been in this position. If they do not get the interception, I

think they score. They have to keep possession, keep discipline. It is a

real test for the high-flyers of this year's Super League. Do not get

spooked. That is the danger. Plenty of time. Only three defeats for

Castleford this year and one of those was Hull. You only need two

defeats in a season, dominating. That would be a heck of a season. I

am going to Jiffy's School of positivity! Bowden, looking to make

a break. Castleford being forced onto the

back foot again. Hull have wind in their sales. Great kick. It is high.

Just about able to hold his possession in the field of play.

Pushed back again. How good are Hull looking in these early stages? With

ball in hand, all without. Listen to the crowd.

They are kicking from inside the 20. That is a fair kick. I think they

needed to find a sideline. The wind in Hull's sales. Only made about 18

metres. Luke Gale found feel position. They can walk to the scrum

and establish themselves some position with what they do in

defence. A great start by Hull, but two

mistakes, one is a intercept, the other is a missed tackle.

Keep your shape. You know you will create opportunities. You have done

it all season. Hull knew they had to start hard and fast and get the

crowd behind them, which they have done. The big fella. He has had it

stolen. Milne are guilty of the steel. -- Milner guilty of the

steal. They cleared well after being under the pump and now they have

given away a penalty and are under the pump again. Liam Watts charging

forward. He has played well this year. Starting well again.

Danny Washbrook is one of the longest serving players at Hull.

Kelly across the line again. A couple of dummies and puts the ball

back. Connor. Held up. Tuimavave and inside for Minichiello, who has a

bit of footwork. One tackle to go. The prop to Kelly. Lost it in the

air. The referee said steady on. It was a knock-on. Kelly made the call

to go for it. I would like to watch it again. Creating the numbers and

Kelly went for it. Kelly thinks he can get there. One of the features

of Castleford this year, they have not given in, doing tremendous

things on their own goal-line as well as at the other end. Scrambled

well enough to dislodge the ball from Kelly's hands. Kelly has had a

good start, organising everything. He is a danger. You cannot leave him

alone because he will do that. The semifinal draw follows this

game. There is a red button forum from 5pm, as well. And the usual

hashtag for social media. Hull looking to inflict more pain on

the Castleford defenders, who will want to squeeze here. Resist the go

forward. Kept alive. Castleford having to work hard.

A couple of tackles left and about 40 metres away. Danny Washbrook

running into trouble. A good set again by Hull. Good yardage. Dixit

into the hands of Eden who switches inside for Hardaker who pushes away

three defenders but cannot get rid of the ball. Too many numbers. I

think he felt there was a pair of these in his back by Liam Watts. --

pair of knees. One thing is sure, they will hold

their nerve. They have shown when they have been behind, they will

find their way out, bringing the off the bench and they will have their

say in this game. Roberts asking the question of Jamie Shaul. The tackle

timed well enough by Webster. Perfectly timed. Just a little bit

too far, that kick. If you put up big kicks, you have to

put them in the far right-hand corner where the sun will be in his

eyes, not in the shaded part. Houghton. Finding touch. Wonderful.

If you are Lee Radford and asking Hull for a start in the game, you do

not want more than this. They look energetic in defence and dangerous

carrying the ball out of dummy half with their big people and Cas having

to use their wherewithal to stay in the tussle but they will hold their

nerve. I can only reinforce to viewers they will have a say in this

game. 61% territory, Hull. A good kicking game, starving Castleford of

those opportunities. A brilliant start for Hull.

That is what Castleford have to do, to take juice out of the Hull tank.

They have high octane burners, the tank empties quickly. Yes, big lads.

You have to move them about. They have not yet had an opportunity,

Castleford. Millington involved again with a little bit of a step.

A bit of a test but superbly taken by Michaels. You have to try to

compete, get your hand in the way, get your hand in the eye line of the

ball. Anything. He will catch them all day. There is some rugged

running. In trying to deal with him, they gave away the penalty. When you

are taking the ball out from your own 20 metres, they are big boys.

They will get tired. But now they have a chance to take a breath and

then they are on the attack again. Scott Taylor on the field. Extra

energy, muscle and dimension. Houghton, letting the big fellas

have a go. Someone pointed out to me that Castleford do that when a

player is on the line, they drag him back into the in-goal area,

confident they will hold him up. A number of teams employed that

tactic. Kelly. Knocked on by Jamie Shaul. Kelly is asking for a another

set of six. He thought there was a knock-on. He thinks he has a hand on

it. I can see why the Hull players are thinking he might have done. The

referee turned around and said he missed it, get on with the game. He

said, respectfully, Danny, do me a favour and shut up!

Jake Webster, fresh from a week off. Millington. He lost it. He was

trying to off-load. Minichiello is their for Hull and Castleford under

pressure again. Hull are turning the screw tighter and tighter in these

opening 20 minutes. Danny Washbrook. Very close. They

hurt to be careful. -- they had to be careful. You do not give a dog a

bone and Millington did. There is a risk with that. You have to defend

your own line if you want to play in that part of the field. All season,

to be fair to Cas, they have defended their line.

That was a great hit. I think it was Jake Webster.

As a Cas player, you say, we have been on the ropes, momentum will

change, hang on in there, and then we will have a chance to attack

again. Possession is 71%, 65% territory in

Hull's favour. Total control by Hull. The stress

levels rise. It is where you get the possession.

Five away from the halfway line and taken forward again by Nathan

Massey. It is popped away. For once this

season, Michael Shenton's hands let him down. Albert Kelly flew in. He

had to. Shenton tried to skip and catch and pass at the same time. You

see how good Cas are, they will have to are just depth in attack. If they

realise they are flying out, the interceptors, Kelly blasting out of

the line, you have to judge depth on the previous ball carrier and if

they are committing, you have a simple give and take. Players are

not just taking water, they are pouring it over their heads, it is

such a hot day. Daryl Powell looking on, concerned at this stage. They

have now settled. Kelly gets over and it is 18, it becomes more

stressful. The semifinal draw is after the game, remember. And the

red button forum at 5pm. And another reminder of the hashtag.

Plenty of ambition, Hull. Forward by Taylor, who lost it. Now, Hardaker.

Pushing away defenders and creating a gap.

This is the second time in Hull's half.

They have an opportunity. Larne Patrick, his first appearance of the

season today. Gale, the dummy. That was a flash of brilliance from

Gayle, who saw the defender coming up quickly. Just held, made the

pass, but it did not quite connect. I think he catches the ball. Got it,

got it, and drops it. It was a brilliant take from behind. Eden.

Look at the cover. The covering. Jordan Thompson, a former Cas lad.

There are a lot of players who are born in one place and play at the

other. Puts it high. Take an easily by Zak

Hardaker. Outside Taylor. Roberts. He is a dangerous player.

Accelerates effortlessly. It is going to be a penalty. That will be

a big lift for Castleford. Starting their next set inside their

opponent's half. That is handy for Cas, incursion

into Hull's territory, not quite near the line yet. They will work

for the opportunity again. Massey will take it in. No secrets about

what he will do, just hard and determined. Millington. Fed back to

the England international against Samoa a couple of weeks ago.

Millington ranging close attend me ten metres out. Five gone, here

comes the last play, what can Castleford do? McShane picks it up,

indecision, Hull hand, another set of six. Roberts. Glenn Roberts has

chiselled a path through that mountain of Hull defenders. He is

over to score. How often do you see a bouncing ball, the referee calls

back to one and the Hull defence just switch off? There is no

communication at all whatsoever. The only thing you could hear was the

referee going, "Back to one." He picks his spot we could see the gap

from here, he was just strolling through it. We had a precursor, Hull

almost got their hands on this, pulls it back to six, I don't know

who is aware but I was thinking danger, he's too quick to leave

alone that near the line. The man who gets his hands to it, he

switches off, looking at the referee, he is walking and all of a

sudden he reacts to slowly, the gap is too big, simple finish, Cas are

back. Their fans are beginning to believe now. It is Luke Gale to

complete what should be a fairly simple job here, a conversion right

in front of the sticks. Just look, a step and a stroke of the ball which

brings two points with it and it is 12-6. It's the first time they have

been down there. Really dangerous time for these defenders, the Hull

FC lads, Castleford have brilliant masters of making sure they put the

needle in and pour the pressure back on the defenders. The wheel has

turned back in Castleford's way, the masters are putting the pressure on.

A walk in the park for Robbie. 11 minutes of the half remaining. 12-6.

And it's out on the full and it will be a penalty for Castleford back on

the halfway line. The wheel is turning, Robbie said, it has turned

a bit more. We saw that yesterday and I just thought conditions

hotter, the ball travels further and they have just whacked it over out

of play. Picking up on what Robbie has said as well, don't give a dog a

bone, giving this team field position now. This is a big set for

Hull, the first time they've been under the cosh. Alex Foster, the

young forward. 23, not that young, but youngish. Taken in by Larne

Patrick. Two Interchange players setting a platform. Where will

Castleford go from this position? Hardaker submerged by two in Black

and White. They numbered off well then, Hull. Minikin. Millington. You

could see his intentions trying to keep the ball alive but the

defenders were aware of that pinning it to his chest, now it comes to

Gale, back towards the middle, send -- Sene-Lefao. Hull had him checked

that time, Gale with their wonderful corkscrew kick and some Hardaker

will touch it down. The craft and position of that kick from Gale

cannot be overstated. Great try. That's brilliant, brilliant skill.

To go against the grain and dribble the kick back the other way,

Hardaker clearly knows he is going to do it, skill of the highest

order. Great communication between this guy and Zak Hardaker because if

you watching he comes from the other side of the ruck, he runs against

the grain and people switch off on the inside. That is a lovely grubber

kick. Because they are going away from the defenders they switch off

on the inside. Brilliant kick, great communication. Brilliant football,

that is. Straight across, straight across to congratulate the man that

put that into play for him. Blink of an eye it will be all square again.

Got to be careful with this team, the fact they kicked the ball out on

the full will infuriate the Hull team, to give Castleford the easy

opportunity because of the field position. That big energy and start

the Hull players put in, how much are they feeling that and how

deflated are they psychologically? Hal beaten are they as a team? As a

coach I don't know but as a player you regroup, settle it down, keep

your bliss plinth and complete the sets, don't give Cas as much

possession as they have had over the last ten minutes. Here goes the

kick, successful, 12-12. It is not so much what Cas have done, it's

what Hull have done to themselves, the penalty area and the ball out on

the full, they invited Cas into that part of the field because they were

controlling the game and playing high-energy. Somebody mentioned the

Demons yesterday, I think it was Sam Tomkins in his post-match interview.

Of course the Demons come in but they just got to get back to the

process they started well with, Hull. 32 minutes and we are back

where we started from. 12-12. Sene-Lefao. First man to take it in,

Foster concedes territory and possession, it is a lot more even as

is the scoreline. McMeeken. McShane. Running left and taken in again.

Loves to wrestle on the ground. 40 yards out, the kick from Gale but

well marshalled by Jamie Shaul. No further than the 20 metre mark where

he is met well by the advancing Castleford defenders. I think

they've got to get Jamie Shaul into the game, such a dangerous runner.

Hull's go forward resisted at the moment by Castleford's tenacity in

defence but this man could put that right, looking for a big carry and

he has got them up to the halfway line, wanting to get up and play as

quickly as they can. Hatton goes left. Hull can check out their

opponents in their own half here. It is with Connor. It should be with

Minikin but he only gets his fingertips to the ball and it

bounces out of play under the sticks and they will have to take the drop

out. That is a fairly good set by Hull. Composed of finished the set,

bit of good kicking, put pressure on one of the wingers. Now they have a

repeat set. I think the coaching staff will be watching some tapes at

Hull and they will put it on Minikin's head this afternoon. We

have seen the ball go into that corner a couple of times, to

Castleford's defensive right side. We have not got the ball. We have

got a ball now. Slows things down a little, everybody can catch their

breath before Zak Hardaker puts that drop-kick as far downfield as he can

possibly boot it but springing up is Connor handed on to Brad Fash who

brings it back. Haltern, write to Watts, Watts back on his knees

quickly but in trying to keep the momentum going concedes a penalty.

For the viewers, he got his ankle tugged when he went to play-the-ball

quickly. Great chance to put the ball into the 20 metre area. It is

difficult to stop with the ball carriers. Watts clearly wins the

right to play-the-ball quickly. Just trying to see who is grabbing onto

his legs. It was faster. Yes, it was, clear penalty for me. For our

viewers at home who are not clear on the rules, if an offensive player

gets through and looks like he can stand up and be the defenders he has

got to be allowed to do that. This was a decision, it seemed to be a

decision of the Captain Danny Houghton to kick for the goal, he

put an arm around him and said we are going for gold. No discussion on

the field. ,. I get it a little bit. Castleford have scored two tries on

the bounce, they have been going against the grain, they have had a

decent set, they get a result, goal-line drop out, hopefully they

will go into the half with a 2-point lead or more and less Castleford

respond in the next four minutes and they get to talk about the little

things to put right in the second half. It has been a great first

half. Hull started on fire. Now Cas have come back. So, Hull in

possession, inside their own half and needing a lot of hard work.

Lovely pick-up by Danny Houghton. He took advantage and off he dashed and

stole an extra 12 yards or so. Who is going to stop him? It will take a

couple of them. Slow him down and then bring him down. Thompson. Free

play, I think. Anyway, here is Shenton. It was the free play so

they start the set from here. Hull back under a little bit of pressure.

Jesse Sene-Lefao taking it in. Now McShane. Down the right-hand side

Larroyer, the Frenchman. He will play it now. That was a simple drop.

Simple drop from Luke Gale, not sure what was going on. He was having a

look at what was on at the play-the-ball. Castleford always go

for the sticks, don't they? Always they go midfield, look at the

options, go either side, where they are short of defence on either side,

always midfield and then go through. Just a reminder that there is plenty

of the game has finished, the semifinal draw follows this much and

the red button forum is on at 5pm, #BBC

-- #BBCRL. Hull back inside and Minichiello has dropped it, he will

claim there was an arm that helped it out. I think that was a good hit.

REFEREE: If it was intentional, I didn't think it was. He was out

cold. Two minutes of a fascinating half still to play. Really strong

rugby. In the last couple of minutes Hull did their job kicking at the

sticks and completing a couple of sets and getting field position

established, giving tempter -- Cas a chance. Castleford already in their

stride now as they venture closer to that Hull line. Larroyer up. Now it

comes to foster. Energetically taking it in again. McShane. Going

right. Roberts. Webster. Again, strong -ish carry from him. McShane.

Look how close they are, ten metres away, not that much more.

Millington. The pass is poor. Hardaker has to be careful in

picking it up. Not much on for him but he passes it to Roberts who can

make things happen. Webster drops the ball backwards and Hull get the

ball back. Not quite as clinical as they would like, Castleford. A few

walking bodies around for both teams at the moment. That is the juice

war. Play the clock down now. He does that well there. Bit of a

handful. Into the last 20 seconds of this half. Time for one more play

here. It is going to be Kelly who puts it high and Hardaker has a look

at what is coming his way. Kelly coming his way, Hardaker gets up and

Kelly catches it and will take the tackle 20 from his own line and that

will end the half. Slight advantage Hull 14-12. On the run of play I

think Hull deserve to be in front, they've dominated the first 20, 25

minutes and scored two good tries and maybe just deserve to be in

front. Let's hero from those who have taken part. Danny Houghton is

down here blowing hard, it's been a hard first off, what was your

verdict. It was a tale of two halves, we

started well, lost a bit of possession early in that spell and

Cas found a way back which we expected but we responded well so we

are happy. Michael Shenton, the Cas skipper is with us. What do you have

to do in the second half to get in front? Start a lot better, we have

fought hard, tough conditions, the ball is greasy, tidy up the game and

keep completing sets and put them under pressure. Thanks.

What a breath is half that was, what did you make of it? Hull had the

best of it frustratingly for them they are not further in front. Hull

started the game with intensity and knocked Castleford of their game.

Cas have been poor, we spoke about their execution, and it has been

dreadful at times and they will look to address that in the second half,

no doubt. How tough other conditions, we saw the two players

there saying the ball is greasy, could you see that happening? Luke

Gale dropped the ball, you never see that, Ben Roberts over this side had

won earlier on. It is greasy but not surprising, the teams know the

conditions, Hull are dealing with it better than Cas. Jamie, has this

first half surprised you was not no, Darryl talked about how Hull came

out and did the power game and went out to 12 points and Castleford have

shown resilience to get themselves back into the game. The left edge

has been way off, we gave them plaudits before the game and they

have let us down and they need to aim up in the second half. What a

start from Hull, incredibly blistering start from them. They hit

back with the defence and the first try came out of a defensive action.

Castleford stripped Hull phone numbers. You need to come in and

make an aggressive tackle or an intercept, the intercept the riskier

of the options but when you see one of your team-mates running down the

field and scoring a try like that you don't doubt him. This showed

Castleford's shape, Roberts at the back car Conor slips, that is a four

on two, training drill, you expect Castleford to complete that but to

Mvovo has different ideas. -- Tuimavave. You expect the tri-. It

sort of set the tone whereas this was slightly different. This is more

of the kind of play we see every week in Super League. Is just got to

make the tackle, that is what he is there to do. Minikin has known all

week he would be up against Talanoa. That is what he needs to do, deliver

in Challenge Cups. He will be disappointed thinking of that. You

need to win those tackles to win big games, trust your players to come up

with the big tackles. Through the middle they have cancelled each

other out. The game will hinge on moments like that, missed tackles

and block this in how attentive you are to do your job. We have seen

Fonua do a lot of running on the other side. Gayle's kicks have been

putting Hull in a corner and standing from standing starts. They

have outside backs that can get them on the front foot again. The first

20 minutes Hull were really dominant although they started lots of sets

inside their own ten. They have lots of players who can come in. Fonua is

the main one for that, every time he carries the ball it takes several

blokes to stop him. Defence for Hull, you picked out early on, to

say it was fast and keen was an understatement. They offer queues in

terms of their mentality approaching again. I saw this from Hull, the

kick chase, ten out of ten kick chase, the kick was on the money and

chase aggressive and in the defensive set they didn't give

Castleford an opportunity to get into shape and move the ball. They

were aggressive, worked together and I thought that showed a real

commitment to this game from Hull. If you want to start a game ten

minutes in this is how you want to be playing. Perfect the way they

played the game but this is why Hull will be slightly disappointed going

in only two points up because they have invested a lot of energy and

work incredibly dominant for long periods of time without coming away

with the points. The more the Hull can do this to Cas and Luke Gale

kicking on the 20 the better. This is a fantastic kick from Gale. This

is why he's developed into one of the best half-backs in the country,

he knew his team needed time to breathe, they had just been nailed

in defence, gives them a chance to regroup and recover and get

themselves ready for the next set of six. Castleford dug in to work their

way back into the game. They did but the try came from nothing and

massively against the run of play. The ball was knocked back by Sika

Manu and at that point Hull relaxed. Castleford looked like they had no

energy after 20 minutes, this shape we saw before the game and they had

none of it and the try comes from nothing and Hull switched off. Don't

be surprised to see more tries like this in the second half, instinctive

tries from players difficult to tackle against forwards who are

absolutely shattered in the middle. That is how this game will go

forward in the second half. That is the best of Ben Roberts, tight

footwork in tight spaces but after that conceding the try, kicking the

ball dead, and giving Castleford possession again. That's dangerous

in these conditions to give Castleford the ball a lot. That

penalty gave them the energy and when Hull were on their own line,

this was an error from Shaul, sending a man on the left-hand side

late, the defender had to jump in and they kicked the ball behind him.

He should have sent Brad Fash when he came back to the short side, he

would have been in position to collect this. What position would

you take up, Sam? You want to make sure that between the ruck and

sideline, there was about 22 metres, you need four defenders, you can't

have three defenders, he sent three, realised late, Luke Gale went down

the short side with Zak Hardaker, Shaul saw it late and had to jump in

the line. Great kick, fantastic piece of skill and like you said

about Gale, a grey half-backs will pick the right place at the right

time and he's done that two or three times this half alone. On the

left-hand side the skills have been off but they got it right on the

right-hand side this time so let's see what happens. There is plenty

more sport to come on the BBC. It's a great time of year, isn't it?

Highlights from the rowing at Poznan which follows us and you can catch

up with the action from the ICC Champions Trophy between India and

Pakistan tonight at 11:15pm, and given the weather it is time for the

tennis, Queens begins tomorrow from 1pm on BBC Two. Before the game and

kick-off Hull FC paid tribute to the legendary coach Arthur Bunting who

took them to their most successful period in the club's history.

Arthur Bunting spent 19 years as a player and then coach at Hull

Kingston Rovers. It was at neighbours Hull FC where he won all

of the game's major honours and let the Black and Whites to the most

successful period in their history winning the Challenge Cup in 82 and

league title in 83. He will be sorely missed.

Wonderful memories of the great Arthur Bunting and we have a man,

Lee crooks, who played for Hull FC and has special memories of Arthur

because he signed you as a youngster. -- Lee Crooks. Just after

my 16th birthday I got a phone call from my amateur coach saying after

wanted to have a chat with me, so we went down and spoke to him. I always

thought that I was a good player but I never thought I was good enough to

be a professional player. So it came as a big shock. Obviously we had a

good chat and I signed the papers and that was it. I think the rest is

history really. How good a coach and man manager was he? He was a very,

very good coach and an even better man manager. He was like a second

father figure to me as a kid. He knew how to put his arm around you

when you wanted console in, when you needed it, that also knew when to

kick you up the backside when you needed it as well. From a coaching

point of view he was very innovative, he went away and found

new ideas for training techniques. One of the things we were very good

at was we were very professional and we were very fit. I think that as

well as the calibre of players we had is why we were so successful.

While I have you here I must ask you about today and the game and it has

swung both ways. How do you read it? Very close at the moment, Hull got

off to a flying start, Castleford have been allowed to get back into

the game. I think the weather has played a bit in that, some very

fatigued players out there. It's going to be a very close game. The

team that controls the ball the most in this half will be the team that

goes on to win. Great to see you, Lee, back to you, Tanya.

You grew up in Hull and you knew Arthur Bunting well. He was my

next-door neighbour from my childhood and to those caring

characteristics into his profession after rugby because he ran an old

people's home next to my mum and dad's and used to drink pints of

bitter with Phil Wilkin in the pub. We saw Darrell pointing at his head,

telling them to use it more, as he? The big forwards will start the

second half, as they wanted to the first, they were not very good the

first 20 minutes and that let Hull get a real grip on the game. If they

do that again second-half everyone will be more tired than they were in

the first and that would lead Hull to a win but I cannot see Cas coming

out and doing that again, they will talk about completions and getting a

foothold in the game before doing anything with the ball. Lots of

questions have been asked about Castleford and whether they are the

real deal, the second half will give them a chance to show that if they

come and execute properly down the left edge, the attacking skills they

have shown all year, they could win. Back to Hull, the backfire carrying

the ball, when they run hard and direct with the ball it will give

them a chance of winning. It will depend on that, Castleford need to

emphasis stomach put an emphasis on stopping the start of sets with

those blokes in because without those Hull will not get off their

own end. Castleford's main job is stopping Fonua and Talanoa who are

so threatening when they have the ball. For Castleford it is a clean

slate at half-time and they will come out in the second half and we

will likely see Cas execute and the Cas we have known for the four-year.

As JP said it is a pivotal moment for Cas because there has been a lot

of talk about them and this will test their credentials. Hull are

playing in the faces of Castleford and not giving them the rim to do

what we're used to them doing and it is a template for other teams. Hull

want to win, it is their trophy at the moment and they want to progress

to the semifinals. He is such a factor in big games, motion is

important. It comes down is to a couple of things, desire, who are

the players who can carry the team through for the next 40 minutes? And

which players have the most instinct? Spot a tired play and take

advantage. If we look at the Hull side you would think Albert Kelly

would be involved and in the Castleford side Roberts and Gale, I

expect them to feature strongly in the second half. I know that JP is

really tight on mental strength. In this kind of heat in this type of

game will it almost come down to the team that believes and can get

through the fatigue? It will be tough and painful for both sides but

the question I have, I suppose, is how much Hull's start took out of

Castleford, how much energy will Castleford have in the back end of

the game? There will be two very tired sides but it's in the balance

and Hull will be frustrated they didn't pull out a bigger lead than

they have done. Going out in the last second 40 minutes and down by

two points, Castleford are used to being up by 20 points in most weeks

in recent times. This is the biggest game of the year for them. The first

real important game for them to come from behind and win. The players are

starting to make their way out onto the pitch, we will have the

semifinal draw at the conclusion of this game, and remember we have the

red button for as well. If the game overruns we will have the draw on

their and BBC sport website, you will not miss it, stick with us.

Bakhtiar commentary team of Brian Noble, Jonathan Davies and Dave

Woods. COMMENTATOR: So here they come, both

sides ready for what should be a terrific second-half here, all to be

settled in the next 40 minutes, or beyond of course, we have to keep

reminding you it could go to golden point extra time if it was all

square at the end of the 80. Love the debate at half-time, some great

points, who is got energy, who can look after the ball, what has

happened to the left side of Castleford. I was intrigued, I loved

it. They brought it down to basics at the end, a bit of desire and

attitude there, and who has the instinct? Don't scramble your

brains, onwards and upwards for both teams. The referee just making sure

all is right with the world before that first shrill blast of the

whistle, and here we go, settle back, should be a really good next

40 minutes here, we have already seen some tries of quality from both

sides, haven't we? Out at dummy half, thrown into the hands of

Sene-Lefao, who has that first skipping run forward of this second

period. McShane taking it forward again, Larroyer moving it up to that

40 metre mark. Now they go a little bit right, McMeeken out there. Now

it comes back with Foster. That is a good carry but they are up to the

fifth now, on the sixth Castleford looking for a good finish. Roberts

puts it higher. I think it is too close to the full-back. It is. Good

set, good shape, a whole lot better but nothing kick for me. Four times

challenge cup winners both these clubs, Hull beholders having won it

last year at Wembley. 1986, the last time Castleford won this great

prize. The oldest rugby league competition in the world. Washbrook.

Kelly. Once another set of six because he felt there was a

Castleford hand there. He wants to play on. Minichiello struggling

through. And it's going to be a penalty. Interesting to know, will

they take the point here? I still think, as they said in the studio,

those big ball-carriers are causing problems. We are in the two -- when

they are in the 20 metre area what a great chance to come away with four

or six points. Perhaps they are over, four points clear. Looking to

edged their way to victory here, two by two. The early birds going in two

by two. Mark Sneed has not been missed in this department today

because Jake Connor has been 100%. Short run-up, big cake, big end

result, four out of four. 16-12, Hull FC lead Castleford. On the back

of the contrast the boys painted, the picture they paint at half-time,

Cas needed structure, move the ball around, then we saw, Fonua carrying

the ball so well followed by Tuimavave. The ball-carriers rocking

up as individuals and smack around the and it is a penalty. Restart and

Hull with Castleford fans behind their backs in the second half. Able

to bring it out again. Castleford is desperate to keep them down for as

long as possible, two tackles gone already, moving towards the 20 metre

mark. Thompson at the Gallup taking them on.

Eventually Houghton picks up from the feed of Kelly, goes left, what's

pops it up further left, Connor with a pass. Tuimavave can't get past web

stuff. Good reading, good tackle from Webster because when you back

yourself to stop the players he did you have to come up with the tackle.

So Hardaker picks up here, and immediately gives it to Greg Eden

the try scoring machine who can't find a way forward, so what about

Greg Minikin? He is pulled down. I like the way the back three works

together, that's what they should be doing, trying to get as many yards

as they can. News of the two dressing rooms at half-time from

Damien Johnson. I had a word with the coaching staff from both sides.

Castle Mac -- Castleford's coach said they need to get hold of the

ball and sent the players out the message, let's get the job done. Lee

Radford Palazzi said discipline is key, they need to get a forward

position and take points when they can. A robust challenge that has

heard Millington and Castleford fancy their chances down the middle

but Gale has closed down. Helped on by Mcshane, here comes Roberts with

a left footed kick high in the air, chasing it as well, but again, Shaul

comfortable underneath that and can get no further than ten from his

own. Again, and nothing kick. He has lost the ball, hasn't a? Gone, I

think. What is the referee deciding here? Yes, he has lost it. A little

moment that could mean an awful lot of the game. Johnson was telling us

about the errors. There is a blooper. Let's have a look. Hold of

his arm, he lost it. So the Castleford fans finding their boys.

The Hull fans likewise because this is a very important set of six

coming up now. Here it comes. Hull's defence just about hanging on for

the time being. Mcshane in at dummy half. Barged forward by Larroyer.

Mcshane again. A big chance from the Cas fans behind the sticks. Here is

Gale, Hardaker joins in, Shenton works it back towards the middle,

being tracked but gets a pass away, Roberts with a big left foot step

but left Liam Watts grasping at thin air. Castleford are back level with

a kick that could give them the lead for the very first time in the game.

He is so dangerous, isn't he? He is just so quick. Runs at the big men,

acceleration from a standing start. Two tries out of nothing. Defended

very well from the start, watching Zak Hardaker, going off very well,

then they start pushing up slowly. There he is, three players go

across, and once you get space like that, that is a brilliant finish

again. Shenton looking for the one person who doesn't work hard enough

on the inside or keep his hips square and body square and Roberts

gets it against the grain, Minichiello going one way, what's

the other, and he has been too good today, he has surged with footwork,

he can see the space. Once Shenton went across the field I thought,

danger, Ben Roberts chasing Shenton across the field. He is too good for

me. Too good! You could see Minichiello pointing out, pointing

out, inside defenders. Cas fans are on their feet applauding that moment

and hoping they can applaud another one here because if Gayle puts it

over, Castleford have the lead. Has he got it? Yes, he has! It was a

whirlwind that came out in the opening six minutes when they

trailed 12-0 but they have calm the storm and now it is their turn.

Castleford lead 18-16. Brilliant step. We all mention the left-hand

side of the Cas attack then talked about Albert Kennedy. We forgot

about Ben Roberts, didn't we? This is what he can do. This is what

great players do. But just like the season, so this game. Nothing is one

yet. Roberts at dummy half shifts it to the right-hand side. They have to

focus now because it might be just wanting them to complete the set,

but they will have a go. If they see numbers Castleford go why does they

have all season. Mcshane to dummy half again, great gig by McMeeken on

the right-hand side, bullying their way back inside the opponents

territory again here, Cas. Larroyer held up by three. Last plated, here

-- last play to come here. Gale's kick, pressure on him, maybe more

depth than we would have wanted, a lot more. They look better shape,

more vigorous, and clearly the try there was against the grain but the

three kicks have been nothing kicks for me. And me. I don't think Daryl

Powell will be happy with the kicking. It is dummy jeopardy now

because it is seven tackles as well. Here is Minichiello. That is only

the second tackle, and already Hull have found themselves back in the

half they want to be. Here is Tuimavave. Houghton snapping it up

and offering it to Watts, Kelly slipping underneath the challenge of

Gale. Exclamations all around. Part of the game. Now it is Fonua, trying

to fend them off and keep the ball moving but he can't so he has to

play it, and here comes the six again, Kelly 20 metres out looking

to measure both. Too far again. That will be another one on the 20 so two

poor kicks, one either rent. A fine line between excellence and not,

isn't it? He was tapping in the wrong place, there was a lying there

in the middle. -- a line. Luke Gale, a real swaggering stride to him as

he walks around the field. Here is Alex Foster, ex-Leeds and London,

came to Castleford for a trial in February, they liked what they saw

so they signed him on. Millington doesn't like what he has just seen.

Clean knock-on from the veteran prop. When you tire you lose

concentration. A simple tape or Millington, such a good ballplayer.

-- take for Millington. Bemused. I am with Darryl! It is just a

straight drop. One more semifinal draw after this match hopefully on

this channel, but if the match overruns on the Red Button. It is

Tuimavave. Hull are back on the front foot again and helped out by

another penalty. Can they kicked this and make it all square again or

do they run it on? Going for two. They're not going to change their

tactic now, are they? Every time you get a chance to keep the scoreboard

rolling Lee Radford will do that. Take your points. Castleford fans

having a non-ironic jeer at their Hull friends because Hull were doing

the Icelandic chance Castleford were doing earlier -- having an ironic

jeer. So, a chance here for Jake Connor. To put this between the

sticks. And bring us back to a level scoreline again. You can hear the

crowd. Old faithful rings out as corner kicks successfully, five out

of five for him, 18-18, and still 28 minutes to go. We are still no

closer to knowing who is going to win this game. A fabulous

atmosphere, hats off to both sets of supporters. It is a privilege, this

is what is great about rugby league, you can't Hull, very passionate.

25,000 Castleford fans here who are just as passionate, making for a

great game. Hardaker with the restart hit it long but not too long

and Hull will settle themselves to bring it back here and try and

impose themselves again on this advancing Castleford defence.

Another big effort here from Tallulah. Pushed back, though. Had

his measure on that occasion. Now it is Thompson, Thompson trying to

squeeze through. They manage again to hang on. Now it comes to this

right-hand side, want a Mac will get up and play, Houghton, Kelly.

Grabbing along the line, trying to create space on the outside or maybe

up for himself but neither occurs and he has held down again, second

effort in the tackle. Have a guess. They are going to go for goal,

surely. They are going for gold. And this could edged ahead again.

Sticking to his principles and that is the danger of Kerry, gets in the

outside shoulder of Sene-Lefao, deserves to play the ball quickly,

he was looking for a couple of ball-carriers to hit through the

line there. Cannot leave him alone. When they get on the front foot they

are not going to stop, Hull. So, Jake Connor for the sixth time on

this sunny Sunday afternoon, settles himself for a big kick. This one to

give his side the lead. Short with the run up once more but he has put

it wide this time! A wave of apology. It stays locked at 18-18,

drop out on the 20 metres, so at least Hull will console themselves

that all things being equal they should get the ball back here.

Back it comes with Watts. Good effort from both attack and defence

on a hot and draining day. It feels like a cup final occasion, doesn't

it? The sun is out, beaming down, and so much at stake here, but it is

only the quarter. This is Washbrook. Fonua. Kelly on his inside but Fonua

will try to wreak little damage himself here. Houghton. Moseying up

to dummy half. Thompson. What's backing up to Connor, Connor to

Shaul, quick cards for -- hands from him, Tuimavave unbalanced as he

tries to take it forward, so the last play, Connor again puts it

high. Good take up there and Minikin now has a chance to bring it back

with a sting as well. His strategy is to target Minikin particularly on

that right wing, Connor going against the grain. Penalty on the

recovery, Minikin got away from the kick chase. Good block by Webster.

Protected his winger, clean catch. So time now for the Castleford wave

to move inside the Hull half. This way and that.

Decent carry in has laid a platform here, four tackles to go. Mcshane,

left to foster, Foster's of showed, Mcshane, picked up and rescued for

Hull again. No need for that. Kelly gets on with the big prize in his

hands, possession back for his side. It is a prize. You want as much ball

as you want in these conditions in relation to field position and Cas

have got theirs with a penalty. Momentum again with Hull, they need

to try to get some points on the board. Here comes Taylor. Carrying a

couple with him, and extra yard or two. Houghton looks around to see

what is available for him when he picks up from dummy half. Dropped

into the pack. Bowden, oh! Almost over but still keeps the ball,

flowing away, Washbrook on the right cut thin, desperate car for the

defending. A scramble and an off-load, play on! Shaul, tackle not

completed, Shaul with the kick, play on, the referee says, then knocked

on by Fonua. That was an opportunity. I thought he kicked

it... He said accidental offside against Cas. I'm not sure if that

was the right thing to do there. That is very unlucky. Mcshane gets

his foot to it, touches Shenton. This is good pressure from Hull.

This is the area where you feel they are very, very dangerous. Not as

creative as Castleford but the power is certainly there. So head and feet

for Hull in mighty fine position here.

Kelly with the feed. Out it comes from Houghton, spend away to Connor,

two Minichiello, Minichiello against the tide defence. Penalty. They will

kick another two from here once the referee has calmed things down.

Castleford might just have gifted Hull believed. It is a good position

there with their ball-carriers, a good opportunity to just put the

Castleford defence under pressure with their big ball-carriers. They

are not going to do it. If they are going to score tries, this is the

area they will score in. I agree and I also feel if Castleford get in the

other half they will score another try in this game so either Hull have

to back themselves to get over the line in the situation or try to do

with their defence, but I don't think in a game like this against

team like this it is that safer strategies. You want to be in front,

it is a cup game, but when you are in that position with the

ball-carriers they have got, defenders need to hold the attack

out from that Hull various. Two points not to be sniffed at whatever

the context, as over it goes, and 20-18 the margin, with Hull, with

still 20 minutes left to play. Absolutely. Whilst it is our

opinions of what you should and shouldn't do the pressure is on that

guy and if they win by two points, they will be going, ha-ha ha-ha!

Hardaker with the restart. Oh! LAUGHTER Nervous moment there. May

have been dropped, good heavens! But it wasn't. Houghton at dummy half.

Houghton at the feet of Talanoa. Outside backs having their say in

the early stages of this set. They have helped their side towards the

halfway line. Now the big fellas have a go and try to blast a bigger

route down. There will be a kick here. Kelly. Mcshane got it away,

even underneath it, and catches it safely enough. A lessening

reputation of not being safe, but that side of his game has improved a

lot in the last season. I agree with that. Had a reputation at one point

of not being able to mend those things over. Scoring five had tricks

in six games, confidence is another factor. -- five hat-trick. Shenton.

Rays of the eyebrow thereby Jonathan Davies. Here is Webster. Where do

they go here? To Gale. Good defence. Not much yardage. That is just a

high kick. Easy for Shaul, and there he stays. Well, again, the purpose

is clear, field position, get the team from a standing start and don't

give Shaul a running opportunity, I get that. The kick chase teen gets

down there but it is a clean catch. Look at all the Hull players, they

are all around the ball, that ball is going nowhere, look at them, you

could throw a blanket over them. One thing in mind as Brian said, get

down there, look at them. Houghton, Kelly, Shenton with the tackle. We

are at that last play of the set again, where something might happen.

Houghton with a little chip. Not sure what he was aiming for. Again,

terrific set from Hull. One of the best end to sets, we have seen. We

have seen a couple of scruffy end to sets. Webster. We promise not to

Labour the point but how much is the heat playing a part in this, how

they are feeling at the moment and how that impacts decision-making? It

is just their minds at the moment. As Brian said, they will not risk

anything. They can get down there and take the points when they come.

Massey's Drive, and here comes the six again, kick from Gale, high, and

again the full-back is favourite for it and hits the ground and Hull

start from there. Shaul is a really dangerous ball-carrier, he is quick,

a little space and he is gone. The tactic I feel from Castleford is to

put the ball eye, let him hear the footsteps as the kick chase teen

gets down there and hope he makes an error. Not kicking with a view to

getting the ball back for Shaul. Talanoa on tackle three. Sika Manu

back on the field. Taylor. A kick from inside their own half at the

end of this set. Connor Steeples it. Minikin underneath it. Almost giving

a little extra hug there. I don't know why he left the ground there,

makes it difficult for himself, he is nowhere near him, just plant your

feet, catch the ball, turn your shoulder, if you do a drop in it

goes backwards. Things you are taught in school! It is Gale.

Shenton. Maybe thinking about... He never seemed to have control of that

as he went into the tackle and Hull come away with it, and Michaels,

Lynch, desperately hanging on, dumping it to the ground, Castleford

going forward, going backwards again now and Hull sensing another

opportunities. Big mistake from Shenton. They are right on the 20

metre line, plenty of tackles left. Sika Manu. Fresh from the

interchange bench. He has that kind of quality. Making himself a handful

for the Castleford offenders. Kelly weaves inside the oncoming Shenton,

but two more there to meet him. Great tackle. Washbrook delivering

back to Houghton. On to Connor. Another little step back towards the

middle of the park here, Minichiello looking for a gap, get the pass away

and it will be a huge effort, Mahe Fonua over the line, taking Hull

inches closer to a place in the semifinals. It is going to take some

character forecaster comeback from here. Minichiello again, such a

dangerous runner, ploughing across the field, creating the overlap. As

we have said, you know, so close to the try line. He had a difficult

side -- they are a difficult side to stop. Someone complaining about the

decision earlier when they lost the ball. Here it is. For me he didn't

have control of the ball, drops it, that is play on, Michael makes

distance and they are in the right part of the field but watch them

come against the grain, left foot, left foot, left foot, who is going

to stop them? Then Mane Fonua with a one-on-one in the second, -- Centre,

you won't stop him. This is a big cake. This is to take Hull two

scores away. Toogood there, Manu comes on and makes an impact again.

But front, Watts, Taylor. When we were debating about kick for two or

not, this was the part of the equation we perhaps ignored. If Hull

score another try and kick a goal they are then two scores ahead and

psychologically huge. But he has to kick it. That's the

other part of the equation, and it's a tough one. But here he comes. It

has gone over. That is huge, 26-18, Castleford have to score twice. We

know they are capable, we know they can do but their champagne cork has

not been allowed to pop out of the bottle so far today. Well done, Lee

Radford, because his strategy is right. Those questioning his

strategy were wrong. Two scores ahead, Castleford can score twice

but he has backed his team again. There is still time in the game. 13

minutes left is plenty of time for Castleford two score two tries. They

have controlled the ball very well, Hull. Their intent is clear. Watch

them now, running from dummy half runs, get the big runners, good

yardage, and then good field position, defend well.

Simple, not pretty, very effective. Kelly goes left again, Connor into

the line, gets the arms free, racing away, Shaul. All kinds of collisions

going on around, carries on with the stepping and gets the pass away and

Jamie Shaul scores the try, back-to-back tries for Hull FC.

Back-to-back semifinals for Hull FC is looking very likely now.

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant, simple football, look after the

football, the coach said. They got numbers, Kelly on one side, Connor

trying to pick up, you think Castleford have scrambled and

covered the plate but watch this, excellent rugby league try.

Brilliant try, lovely ball, Connor breaks, they all get up and support.

Jamie Shaul, now it is Tuimavave, doesn't panic and throw a stupid

pass, he waits and gets in a lovely off-load. Lovely finish. Easy

finish. Again, nothing fancy, just one up, Kelly adds a bit of speed

and pace to it, and lovely off-load. The Hull faithful loving that

moment. Lee Radford, Daryl Powell, coaches in different camps and in

very different mental states at the moment. This is another big kick.

Takes it away again, doesn't it. Yes, if this goes over it becomes a

three score game. His kicking has been exceptional

today so far, Connor, just the one mess, that's all. And it remains at

that ratio. Eight successes from nine attempts, 32-18, 14 points the

difference, Castleford have to score three times in the last ten minutes

to keep their cup dream alive. The holders are more than holding on.

They are beginning to run away with it just a little.

Short kick-off, the order of the day, trying to get the ball back.

Michaels collects it. They won't change anything now,

exactly the same. Bowden. Starve them of possession. Haltern. Manu.

-- Houghton. Taylor. Tackle five. Hull looking

for a strong finish here. The kick. Connor finds the ball back, he's

gone for a drop goal but he has put its wide. That was a brilliant

strike. He was facing the wrong way when he decided to do that. Not

far-off. Good kick. Castleford Tigers Mac fightback has to start

here with nine and a half minutes to go. Three scores required. They are

capable. If anyone this season is capable of getting that kind of

scoring sequence together. It is this team. What have they got? We

know what they have got. This is it now. Hull have got too much juice

defensively, could be wrong here but it is a big ask of Cas, nine

minutes, scores. Very capable. To his left-hand side, Nathan Massey

will take it on a stride or two, Hull defending. Gale. Millington. A

couple of dummies thrown by Robertson. And then it goes inside

and Minikin is over. Here comes the storm. Here it comes. That is a

brilliant try, I have to say. Greg Minikin, the try scorer,

Castleford's response. Brilliant, just watch. One side of the ruck to

the other, playing out the back, great play from Hardaker and Eden.

Great finish. It is a miscommunication on the left-hand

side of the Hull defence. Great step from Minikin, he comes in really

close, really close drop-off. Luke Gale has got to kick the goals as

well. He is taking his time. The drop of the hips before he kicks

that ball and it has gone over. So, here we go, 32-24. You know what

they are going to do now. They are going to throw everything at Hull.

Two scores required. Once the touch judges have hit the corner flag. We

are watching Minikin going over again. The referee has stopped the

clock, Hull slope back to the restart. He stopped the clock

because the touch judges weren't in place. Connor kicks it downfield,

Hull's defence must be smart because we know how smart Castleford's

attack can be. Larroyer. Muscling up down the middle in the shape of

Massey. Here is Gale. Yesterday it was a sensational finish to a cup

quarterfinal, today's could be similar. Remember on the red button

forum, the draw as soon as we finish, and the red button at 5pm as

well. Idem find some space, inside for Hardaker, Hardaker is dragged

down, desperate defending from Hull. There are still three tackles in

this set. Gale. Roberts. All the way out to Webster. Webster cuts back.

McMeeken suddenly finds himself surrounded by men in Black and White

and there is only one play to go. Gale steadies himself, the kick

across to Eden. Eden up with Michaels there to meet him, Shenton

pops it back on the inside and Eden has it and he's tries to pop it over

the line and the ball has bounced clear. The referee has a decision to

make. They are checking here. Desperate play by Cas and desperate

defence. You are right. Is that going to be a penalty? Yes, he

tackled him in the air. Can the referee make that decision because

he's been asked about the restart, hasn't he? It has

come off Fonua. It is technically a tackle in the air but there is

nothing in it. Does Fonua get his hand onto it? He's just lost that.

Just to reiterate they are not looking at the tackle in the air, it

is all about the restart and the decision has been taken that it is a

tap on the 20. Scrum for Hull. Irrespective, the main thing for

Hull is to get the ball up. Five minutes to go, Hull leading by eight

points. Castleford needing a try and a goal and another try. Hull just

needing to hang on. Danny Houghton. We saw them do it last year against

Warrington in the final. Big squeeze late on and Hull hung on. Can they

rediscover that muscle memory? Houghton. Bowden taking it big down

the middle here, carrying the ball in. Time ticking away, less than

five to go. Here is Sika Manu. So, the last play in this set, they

would dearly love a repeat set, Kelly kicks it in straight into the

hands of Eden. Less than ten from their own line, Cas. Cas will have

to get behind the ball and be more expansive than they are. Eden again

looking for some of his magic, trying to get away through. Hull

have been very effective today, especially the two wingers and

centres and forwards, and offensively as well. Millington.

Here is Gale, Shenton steps back towards the middle again looking for

tired defenders. Finding only the turf on tackle five. He kicks it as

high as he can, Gale. Too far. Shaul has it, catches it on his shoulder,

he is able and capable of bringing it back here. Here is a damaging run

out of dummy half. Good effort by Talanoa.

Hull have big ball-carriers. Here is Fonua. Jonathan Davies has been

involved in their selection of the man of the match today. Now Bowden,

trying to squeeze through the gap again. Castleford Tigers and trying

to hold up this set and get the ball back. Houghton hits it and it hit

one of his own men and it is a handover 22 metres out. Who wants to

take the initiative? With decided for all the work he has done

carrying the ball, our Ladbrokes Challenge Cup man of the match is

Fonua, the winger. Congratulations to him. He scored that big try in

the second half. Castleford, though, still looking to keep their cup

hopes alive. Here is Shenton. Hardaker. Milner. Manu has got him.

At Milner is somehow able to smuggle that ball away backwards. McMeeken.

Down the right-hand side. Hull's defenders in his face. Remember, Cas

must score twice. They need to score in this set. Two minutes to go.

Millington back to Gale, Gale timing it, put it out to Eden, sets off on

his run and gathers the ball in behind and loses it to Michaels. The

body language from Castleford and that of Hull tells its story. I

think this game has just been won. The work of Albert Kelly, brilliant

in defence today, every time Eden has been set free he has come across

to either force him into touch, or force him inside. Castleford do ask

you questions offensively, we've seen that in the last ten minutes

but with 12 minutes to go they had too much energy, that cyber defence

takes energy because they ask a lot of questions and they have a lot in

their tank and have come up with a few scramble plays, when Cas may

have got the extra break, we saw Eden make the break when Kelly came

across, you are quite right. What a day to remember Arthur

Bunting as well from Hull's point of view. It's a great game, contrasting

styles. They've just got to see it out, the team in black-and-white.

Simply not time now for Castleford to rescue the situation. It will be

all eyes on Super League now for Cas, six points clear at the top,

they will want to make sure they carry that on. The Challenge Cup

dream has slipped away. Tuimavave. It is a bit messy here.

This might bring us to the end of the game. The referee has stop the

clock with 19 seconds to go. REFEREE: Listen, just play-the-ball,

tackle three. Tackle three, Carlos. Leeds, Wigan and Hull will be in the

draw for the semifinal which is coming up very soon. Fonua might

just be the man who ends the game with the ball in his hands. It's not

quite in his hands because he has knocked it on but it hardly matters,

Fonua kicks the ball into the crowd in celebration. What a fantastic win

that has been for Hull FC. For the second time this season they have

beaten Castleford, once in the league and once in the cup. They

thoroughly deserved today's win, they managed the clock and the game

certainly in the second half, the physical prowess they showed in the

first 20 minutes of the first half, fully deserved. They closed them

down, didn't allow them any space, defensively they were very good,

they didn't allow the many opportunities. Great game of rugby

league but Hull deserved winners. Let's hear from the man of the

match, if memory serves is Fonua, and he is with Damian Johnson.

Congratulations, you are holding the fears and you have to do it the hard

way today. We knew Cas would come down guns blazing, top of the table

in Super League and we didn't expect anything less. Was your try the

gamebreaker towards the end? We know that Cas would fight all the way to

the end, although that try was scored with 12 minutes to go we knew

they would keep coming until the 80th minute. Seen that before, dummy