It was eighth against ninth as two of 2016s early underachievers Castleford and Leeds met in the traditional Easter derby.

After last week’s big loss at Warrington, a win for Castleford Tigers would see them up to fifth in Super League. But a win for their neighbours would see the Rhinos leapfrog the Tigers into the top eight for the first time in 2016.

The Tigers were without several key players including Ben Roberts, Luke Dorn, Michael Shenton and Junior Moors, but the Rhinos had just two changes from last week’s win over the Saints with Tom Briscoe making his return from injury in place of the injured Ryan Hall, and Jimmy Keinhorst a late replacement for Brett Delaney. There was still no return for skipper Danny McGuire who is still not quite ready for first team action.

It was a high-octane opening nine minutes with both sides having chances. It was Castleford who broke the deadlock when Andy Lynch was put through a gap by Luke Gale to score by the left upright. Gale added the conversion for 6-0.

Three minutes later and a superb break by Grant Millington saw him offload to Jake Webster on the inside to go the remaining five metres to score. Gale was again accurate with the boot. It was a perfect response from Castleford after last week’s drubbing.

On nineteen the Rhinos registered their first points with a cheeky try down the left wing. Brett Ferres put in a little grubber on the last tackle which was collected by Ash Handley on the touchline and passed inside to Joel Moon to go over unopposed. Liam Sutcliffe kicked brilliantly from out wide.

Just four more minutes had passed when the Rhinos turned defence into attack after a Zak Hardaker interception. Beau Falloon and Carl Ablett made the distance and then put Kallum Watkins over to score one handed. Sutcliffe failed to add the extras leaving the Rhinos trailing by two.

On thirty-four the Rhinos hit the front, again on the last tackle, when they switched the ball from left to right allowing Joel Moon to go ten metres and cross off a Josh Walters pass. Once again Walters missed the conversion attempt but with three unanswered tries the Rhinos had a two point lead going into the interval.

On forty-seven it looked like Denny Solomona was in for a try down the left wing but Zak Hardaker tracked back to tackle him brilliantly into touch. On fifty-three it was Jy Hitchcox who was the hero for the Tigers, chasing down Liam Sutcliffe after a sixty metre interception break, and ankle tapping him to the ground.

Paul McShane had a try ruled out just after the hour mark for a dubious looking forward pass.

On seventy-three the Tigers regained the lead after intense pressure on the Leeds line. Jake Webster took a pass from Luke Gale in full flight and crossed the line, rounding under the sticks to give Gale a simple conversion for 18-14. Castleford had five minute to hold firm for the points and they finished on the front foot, deep in Rhinos territory.

This was a great end to end game with high completion rates and after an early flurry, few penalties. Castleford started off line a train but the Rhinos reeled them back in and took a lead which they looked like holding on to. But the Tigers dug deep and the try from Webster sealed the win and took the two points, lifting the Tigers to fifth spot with their first win in four games by 18-14.

Tigers: Solomona, Monaghan, Crooks, Webster (2T), Hitchcox, Hampshire, Gale (3G), Lynch (T), Milner, Boyle, Millington, McMeeken, Massey. Subs: McShane, Springer, Maher, Minikin.

Rhinos: Hardaker, Briscoe, Watkins (T), Moon (2T), Handley, Sutcliffe (G), Burrow, Galloway, Falloon, Cuthbertson, Ablett, Ferres, Jones-Buchanan. Subs:Lilley, Walters, Keinhorst, Mullally.

Referee: James Child.

Attendance: 11,426