Castleford Tigers strengthen their spot at the top with demolition of Huddersfield Giants

Castleford Tigers 52 Huddersfield Giants 16: Luke Gale's second-half hat-trick helped guide the home side to an impressive victory against the struggling visitors

Friday 31 March 2017 16:37 EDT

Luke Gale (2nd right) celebrates scoring for Castleford against Huddersfield Giants (PA)

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Luke Gale brought up a century of tries with a second-half hat-trick as Castleford strengthened their grip on top spot in Super League with a 52-16 demolition of struggling Huddersfield.

The England half-back has been integral to the Tigers' impressive start to the season and he continued his fine form with a 24-point haul on his 250th career appearance.

Joel Monaghan also helped himself to a treble while Ben Roberts, Jake Webster, Mike McMeeken and Adam Milner all crossed to inflict more misery on a Giants side without talisman Danny Brough.

Huddersfield had taken an early lead at the Jungle through Ryan Hinchcliffe but they could only respond through tries from Ryan Brierley and Lee Gaskell as Castleford racked up 36 points after the break.

Joel Monaghan touches down for Castleford (PA)

The Giants are now five matches without a win and appear set for another season battling against relegation.

Castleford made a slow start against Catalans last time out and Huddersfield made the Tigers chase the game again as Hinchcliffe touched down inside seven minutes.

Prop Sebastine Ikahihifo had led the Giants' fight from the first carry of the match and it was his offload close to the line that allowed Hinchcliffe to twist and turn his way over.

Super League's top try-scorer Greg Eden failed to take in Gale's long pass as Castleford initially struggled for fluency in attack, but they soon hit their stride.

Adam Milner breaks through the Huddersfield line to score a try for Castleford (PA)

Roberts touched down Gale's grubber kick to get the Tigers on the board and then turned provider to put Webster over out wide after Gaskell had sent the restart out on the full.

Huddersfield have leaked the most points in the competition in 2017 and their defensive frailties were there for all to see when McMeeken crashed over on the last tackle.

Some poor finishing from the usually reliable Eden meant the Giants were only 16-4 down at the break but the Castleford winger underlined his quality in the opening minute of the second half by racing clear from deep and giving Gale a simple finish.

It was a case of damage limitation for Huddersfield after Milner broke through the middle of the Giants defence and dummied his way to the line.

Castleford's players acknowledge their fans after the final whistle (Getty)

Gale's third successful conversion made it 26 unanswered points for the Tigers but Brierley gave the small band of travelling supporters something to cheer when he outpaced Zak Hardaker after breaking from a scrum deep inside his own half.

It proved to be only brief respite for Huddersfield as Webster stepped back inside to give Gale his 100th career try and then put Monaghan over in the corner.

Gale was on hand to support Paul McShane and complete his treble before Rangi Chase went through the full range of tricks to give Monaghan his second try.

Gaskell benefited from sloppy play by Castleford to finish Brierley's low kick but Gale fittingly had the last word with a touchline conversion after Monaghan had touched down Chase's low kick for his hat-trick.

Result:

Castleford Tigers (16) 52

Tries: Roberts, Webster, McMeeken, Gale 3, Milner, Monaghan 3 Goals: Gale 6

Huddersfield Giants (4) 16

Tries: Hinchcliffe, Brierley, Gaskell Goals: Brierley 2

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