Rugby League: Castleford stall in victory

CASTLEFORD never reached top gear despite scoring eight tries in their 44-4 win against Carlisle in the Regal Trophy quarter-final. It took 23 minutes for Castleford to score with a penalty by Martin Ketteridge. The first try came a minute later from Graham Steadman but after the break it was all Castleford.

A long-range interception try by John Schuster turned the game for Halifax midway through the second half and kept up their challenge to the Stones Bitter Championship leaders. In the 28-11 win at Oldham Schuster finished with 16 points from four goals and two tries.

Featherstone's centres, Iva Ropati and Carl Gibson, led them to a comfortable 36-0 win against Leigh. Ropati scored three of the home side's eight tries while Gibson crossed twice.