Castleford 32-22 Widnes: Report and reaction as Greg Eden's hat-trick sees Tigers triumph

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Match stats: Castleford 32-22 Widnes

Castleford tries: Eden (11, 58, 74), Springer (40), Minikin (54), Cook (78)
Conversions: Gale (40, 55, 74, 79) 

Widnes tries: Ince (19), Johnson (27,48), Thompson (46)
Conversions: Chamberlain (20, 28, 50) 

Match report

Greg Eden continued his remarkable scoring record with a third-successive hat-trick as leaders Castleford came from behind to beat bottom side Widnes 32-22 at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

On his 100th career appearance, Super League's leading scorer took his overall tally for the season to 24 tries in just 16 appearances.

Eden's scores proved vital as the Tigers came from 22-10 behind early in the second half to eke out a fifth-straight victory while condemning Widnes to a fifth-successive defeat.

Tigers boss Daryl Powell made three changes to the side that beat Leeds at Newcastle in last Sunday's Magic Weekend encounter, while Widnes head coach Denis Betts made seven changes following last week's heavy defeat at the hands of Wakefield at St James' Park.

Castleford playmaker Rangi Chase made his debut for the Vikings in that match having joined them on loan for the rest of the season.

The terms of his loan meant he was ineligible to face his parent club and it was perhaps no surprise that Castleford forced all the early pressure against the struggling visitors.

England scrum-half Luke Gale enjoyed plenty of possession but the Vikings defended tenaciously as Castleford prop Grant Millington was held up over the line.

But in the 11th minute Gale was involved in a sweeping handling sequence which led to full-back Zak Hardaker sending Eden over in the left corner.

Castleford continued to probe and Mike McMeeken almost galloped clear before referee Chris Campbell spotted an obstruction as Widnes survived.

The Vikings continued to defend doggedly and they replied in the 19th minute when they worked the ball across the face of the Tigers' defence and Ryan Ince touched down in the right corner.

It was a fine finish from the young winger and Ed Chamberlain added the extras before Ince showed his worth at the other end of the field by forcing Eden to knock on as he looked destined to score.

Once again, Widnes advanced up field to breach Castleford's defence as Jack Johnson jinked through the home rearguard and dived under the posts for a try which Chamberlain converted to make it 12-4.

Jesse Sene-Lefao then went close in the left corner after being stopped just short before home replacement Gadwin Springer threw a wayward pass which Charly Runciman intercepted to put Widnes back on the attack.

As the interval approached, Springer underlined his physical prowess when he claimed possession inside Widnes' 20-metre line and barged through several visiting defenders to score.

Gale converted to leave Widnes 12-10 up at the break and - six minutes after the restart - another flowing move culminated in Corey Thompson taking a pass from Runciman and diving over in the left corner.

Two minutes later, Jordan Johnstone drove through the heart of the Tigers' defence to score after supporting Chamberlain's break following a pass from Lloyd White.

Chamberlain's third goal put the away side 22-10 up but Castleford roused themselves and Ben Roberts cleverly put Greg Minikin over inside the right channel in the 54th minute.

Four minutes later, Gale's kick to the left corner found the onrushing Eden and he touched down to score before the winger, who scored a hat-trick in last week's win over Leeds, completed another treble when he raced over in the left corner with six minutes remaining and Gale converted.

There was still time for Matt Cook to go under the posts late on and Gale kicked his fourth goal.

Match reaction

Castleford head coach Daryl Powell on Greg Eden's push for an England call-up: "The one thing that will go in his favour is the fact that Wayne Bennett knows him really well

"I know from speaking to Wayne that he really rates him and it's difficult to see anyone being any better than Greg at the moment. He's been a great addition for us and the way he caught the ball from Luke Gale's kick for his second try was an incredible piece of skill.

"He gets plenty of opportunities on that left edge but he finds his way to the line and has been fantastic for us - he's strong, quick and his kick returns are pretty exceptional.

"It was a tough game and I thought Widnes were fantastic and played really well.

"We were a bit off and couldn't find our rhythm - some of that was because of last week's game against Leeds and some of it was because of how Widnes played - so we had to dig our way out of it.

"In the last 10 minutes, we got our noses in front and finished the game off. Ultimately it's about winning and that was absolutely crucial. We will make a few changes on Monday."

Widnes boss Denis Betts on his side's efforts: "I asked for certain things and was really proud of the effort because we worked really hard. There are not a lot of sides who have come here and not had 50 points put on them.

"What we lacked was a bit of game-management at key points in the game and our attack is really disjointed because we are having to chop and change."