Shenton stars in Tigers win

Michael Shenton claimed a superb hat-trick as Castleford condemned Bradford to their sixth successive defeat with a 28-22 triumph at a baking Jungle.

The England centre, 23, touched down in the first half and then added a superb late double to hand the Tigers their third successive win.

Despite the sweltering conditions, the early pace was unrelenting and Bradford quickly pinned the hosts back towards their own line. Their early pressure paid off in the seventh minute when Elliott Whitehead collected a pass from Paul Sykes and showed neat footwork to cross the line. Sykes converted with ease but the response from the Tigers was impressive and emphatic.

They hit back four minutes later when Shenton collected an exquisite long pass from Dean Widders to touch down in the right corner to cap a fine array of inter-passing. Joe Westerman's attempted conversion was woefully off target but Castleford continued to build momentum and forged ahead with their second try in the 17th minute.

Rangi Chase, a pivotal figure at stand-off, showed some clever footwork to reach the Bradford line and, although the ball was ripped from his grasp by two visiting defenders, the try was awarded by referee Ben Thaler. Westerman was again off cue with the conversion and, after Castleford failed to make their dominance pay, Bradford hit back to claim their second try in the 28th minute.

Centre Chris Nero collected possession inside the left channel and showed intelligence to find the onrushing Steve Menzies in support to his left. The former Manly forward, 36, needed no second invitation to scamper over the line from 10 metres out but Sykes failed to add the extras.

Three minutes before the break, Castleford lost former Bulls forward Brett Ferres to the sin-bin following a challenge which a sparked a flare-up involving several players from both sides.

Westerman's misery with the boot continued on the stroke of half-time when he sent wide a penalty that could have drawn his side level. A penalty from Kirk Dixon drew Castleford level in the 46th minute but Sykes kicked a routine penalty for the Bulls to restore his side's lead five minutes later.

Another two-pointer from Dixon then put the Tigers level at 12-12 but Bradford forged ahead with a superb score on the hour mark when Menzies showed some brilliant footwork and ushered Brett Kearney over the line. Sykes converted but Castleford were level within minutes as Dixon touched down from a high kick from Mitchell Sargent and then added the extras.

The points looked set to be shared but Shenton had other ideas and burst clear to run around Kearney and touch down in the 71st minute. Three minutes later he completed his treble when he collected a high kick from Chase and touched down for a try which Westerman converted for his only goal of the game. Michael Platt broke away to hand Bradford late hope but Sykes missed the touchline conversion from the right flank and Castleford held on for victory.