Brian McDermott concedes Castleford are the best team in Super League after beating his Leeds side 38-24 on Friday.

The League Leaders' Shield winners ran riot in the opening period at the Jungle, running in five tries to establish a 30-6 half-time lead and despite taking their foot off the gas somewhat in the second stanza, the result was never in doubt.

Leeds may be second in the standings but they are still way short of Cas in the table and McDermott admits the current gulf in class was evident on Friday.

He told reporters: "Clearly Castleford were just too good for us in the first half, and looking at them, with a couple of games to go, it's going to take an incredible team to stop them, and getting to the Grand Final and winning it.

"I also recognise that they aren't running out of steam are they? I think everyone is still trying to catch up to them, they seem to be able to play freely without pressure."

In other Castleford news, the club has confirmed that half-back Tom Holmes will leave at the end of the season to join Championship side Featherstone.

The 21-year-old has spent time on loan at Batley this season and has scored two tries in his 10 career appearances for the Tigers.