Castleford Tigers moved up to second in Super League after defeating Hull FC 31-24.
In an early contender for game of the season, a Denny Solomona hat-trick condemned the Airlie Birds to their first defeat of the season.
As expected, the game was a high-scoring affair, but a late intercept try by Solomona as Hull chased a dramatic winner secured the two points for Daryl Powell’s side.
Early tries through debutant Jy Hitchcox and Solomona gave Castleford the lead before a Jordan Thompson try cut the deficit.
Hitchcox added his second try to extend Cas’ lead, however by half-time the scores were level following Hull FC tries through Steve Michaels and Jamie Shaul, leaving the score 18-18 at the break.
Castleford regained the lead in the 55th minute as Solomona finished expertly again. Gale missed the conversion, which gave FC the opportunity to hit the lead for the first time when Shaul scored his second and Sneyd converted to give them a 24-22 advantage.
However, Luke Gale then came to the fore. The current Albert Goldthorpe Medal holder levelled the match with a penalty before nailing a stunning drop goal from way out to put Cas ahead.
With the hosts chasing the game, an expansive play after the hooter resulted in Solomona intercepting and scoring his third to secure victory.
Tigers: Dorn, Monaghan, Crooks, Webster, Solomona, Roberts, Gale, Lynch, McShane, Millington, O.Holmes, McMeeken, Jewitt. SUBS: Milner, Moors, Massey, Cook.
Hull FC: Shaul, Michaels, Logan, Tuimavave, Talanoa, Pryce, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Watts, Minichiello, Manu, Thompson. SUBS: Ellis, Bowden, Pritchard, Washbrook.
