A GOOD crowd of Skipton travelling supporters saw the sides score four tries each in the late summer sunshine at Willowbridge Lane, but Castleford's better conversion rate and tally of four penalty goals put them well clear to win 38-22, writes Simon Smith.

The game also turned on two significant first half injuries for Skipton, leaving them without stand-off skipper Josh Nkwo and solid back-row Alex Cruise-Brown.

The visitors started strongly, but an early knock-on set up a platform from the scrum for Castleford inside Skipton's 22 and they ran in the opening try.

A re-start kick gave the line-out to Skipton and hooker Charlie Brown was over after two phases of play to level the scores.

Two successive penalties put Skipton into the corner and Cruise-Brown was over for try number two from the rolling maul. Scrum-half Michael Tam added the extras.

Skipton then suffered a set-back as Nkwo took a nasty sprain to the ankle and had to retire.

Skipton maintained the pressure but a penalty conceded gave Castleford a scrum 22 metres out and Cruise-Brown suffered a cut to the chin and was forced to retire. Castleford gained a further scrum close in and ran in their second try, levelling the scores with the conversion.

A great re-start kick saw No 8 Ed Harrison take the ball down field. A penalty put Skipton into the corner and pressure on Castleford's line saw Skipton winger Zobair Hussain over for try number three. The conversion attempt was wide. A penalty just before half-time for Skipton over the top saw Castleford claw back three points and they went into the break trailing 17-15.

The re-start kick went straight out. Castleford gained the scrum back and ran in try number three. The conversion was good.

Two penalty goals for the home side quickly followed. They opted for the scrum from a further penalty and ran in try number four, earning the bonus league point. Again, the conversion was good.

Skipton did not give up. A sweet break by Harrison out wide saw him over for the visitors' fourth try of the day, earning them a consolation try bonus point.

Castleford responded with a late penalty goal to give a final score of 38-22.