Rugby League: Sharp Orr makes all the difference for Castleford

Castleford 28 York 2

CASTLEFORD BECAME the first team into the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup, despite their lower division opponents playing a full part in a tie of high quality, writes Dave Hadfield.

York, of the Northern Ford Premiership, finished well beaten largely because of the efforts of Castleford's highly promising stand-off, Danny Orr. He was man-of-the-match in their win over Hull in the last round and was at it again last night, laying on two tries and kicking six goals in a fine all-round display.

"He's looking very sharp," said his coach, Stuart Raper, who is helping his development by playing him in his best position this season, after moving him around in various roles last year.

For almost all the first half, York competed as equals. Not only did they swarm into the tackles, they also had what was for a long time the game's best try-scoring opportunity when their former Castleford full- back, Jamie Benn, reached over the line only to be penalised for a double movement.

Given that reprieve, Castleford established a lead through two penalties from Orr, both awarded for high tackles, before Benn pulled back a couple of points with a kick after John Strange had been held down in the tackle.

Orr always looked likely to prove the difference between the two sides, however, and four minutes before half-time he made the crucial break through throwing a dummy and racing down the left, turning his pass inside for the supporting Brad Davis to score a comfortable try which Orr converted.

Far from discouraged, York began the second half with an enterprising attack that saw their winger Leigh Deakin, narrowly fail to score in the corner.

But it was inevitable that the pace of the Super League side would begin to wear them down. Orr kicked a penalty after a holding down offence and Chris Judge went to the sin-bin after another.

The short-handed defence could not then prevent Michael Eagar going over from Ian Tonks' pass. Orr then served up a try for Francis Maloney with Judge still off the field and Lee Harland completing a scoreline that did York less than full justice.

Castleford: Flowers; Jay, Egar, Maloney, Rogers; Orr, Davis; Sampson, Harland, Pickering, Fritz, Tonks, Vowles. Substitutes used: Sykes, Tallec, Wells, Dobson.

York: Benn; Sini, Goddard, Austerfield, Deakin; Kain, Strange; Booth, Pallister, Hill, Judge, Lambert, Edwards. Substitutes used: Callaghan, Hagen, Ramsden, Tichener.

Referee: N Oddy (Halifax).