Cooke keeps Hull in play-off picture

Hull 32 Castleford 1

Hull kept themselves firmly in the Super League play-off race by grinding out victory over a battling Castleford side. Gareth Raynor and Ewan Dowes both crossed for Shaun McRae's team in the first half, but it took the reliable kicking of Paul Cooke to secure the points at the KC Stadium.

Stand-off Cooke landed seven goals, including three important penalties to kill off a Tigers' revival sparked by Francis Maloney and Andy Lynch tries.

Shayne McMenemy and Richard Horne forced their way over for further Hull touchdowns late on to leave Castleford facing an uphill challenge to reach the top six.

Cooke opened the scoring with a penalty after seven minutes but Cas responded with a several raids down the other end inspired by Danny Orr, who spurned Hull's advances to sign for Wigan next year.

The home side survived and grabbed the first try of the game with a swift counter-attack. Horne raced 40 metres after a smart offload from Chris Chester and then found Raynor to his left who went over. Cooke added the conversion and followed up with a penalty just before the half-hour mark.

Cas deserved something for their industry however, and it duly arrived when Ryan Hudson put through Maloney to reduce the deficit. But Hull ensured they finished the first half on top as Dowes broke through two tackles to touch down by the posts, Cooke converting.

The visitors hauled themselves back into the match after the restart when poor tackling by Hull allowed a chance for Lynch to jink his way in under the posts. Orr's conversion, quickly followed by a successful penalty, cut the Hull lead to 16-12 and Cas clearly sensed their chance. A strong drive brought Hudson into scoring range but the Tigers captain lost the ball as he dived for an equalising try.

Hull managed to weather the storm and eased some of the pressure with another three Cooke penalties between the 60th and 70th minutes.

Former Wakefield forward McMenemy killed off their hopes of taking any points from East Yorkshire when he forced his way over for a third Hull try four minutes from time. Horne then raced clear to score in the last minute, with Greenhill landing the kick.

Hull: R Horne; Best, Barnett, Yeaman, Raynor, Cooke, J Smith, Greenhill, Treister, King, Maher, Ryan, Chester. Substitutes used: Carvell, Dowes, McMenemy, Lupton.

Castleford: Saxton; Pryce, Eagar, Maloney, Rogers, Orr, Healey, Sykes, Godwin, Lynch, Mellor, Fritz, Hudson. Substitutes used: Smith, Gibson, Vowles, Johnson.

Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury).