Super League: Castleford Tigers 36-28 Catalans Dragons
Last updated on .From the section Rugby League
| First Utility Super League |
|---|
| Castleford Tigers (20) 36 |
| Tries: Gibson 2, Millington, Shenton, Tansey, S. Moore Goals: Gale 6 |
| Catalans Dragons (6) 28 |
| Tries: Yaha, Garcia 3, Taia Goals: Dureau 4 |
A hat-trick from Ben Garcia proved to be in vain as Catalans Dragons were edged out in a thrilling match which saw Castleford climb to fifth.
Castleford were never behind and led 20-0 and 36-24 but Catalans refused to accept defeat.
Ashley Gibson scored the hosts' first two tries while Grant Millington, Michael Shenton, Jordan Tansey and Scott Moore also went over.
Fouad Yaha and Zeb Taia were the other scorers for the visitors.
The result means that Catalans have still only won one away game all season and leaves them eighth in the Super League table.
Gibson's early double, each time converted by Luke Gale, gave the hosts early control and Millington stretched the advantage.
Yaha started the Catalans comeback by touching down in the corner and they scored again moments into the second half when Garcia claimed his first.
Taia then pounced on a mistake by Gibson to narrow the deficit still further and Scott Dureau's third successful kick at goal meant they only trailed 20-18.
Back came Castleford, with Shenton finishing off a pass from Liam Finn, who also set up Tansey's score, before Moore's effort from dummy half finally put the result beyond doubt.
Garcia had the final say by completing his treble on the last play of the match, but Castleford emerged victorious.
Castleford coach Daryl Powell:
"We haven't played that great yet, which a lot of teams are saying. It's a really strange competition this year. You don't really know who is going to end up where at the minute.
"We haven't been right on top of our game and there is loads more to come from us, particularly if we can get some consistency; sometimes our attacking game is great and our defence is poor.
"We've got a few players to come back who can improve us as well, so I think we'll be a pretty good side when we put it all together.
"We're getting that winning mentality again after winning four of our last five games and I think that's really important to have."
Catalans head coach Laurent Frayssinous:
"The way Morgan (Escare) executed on the two-on-one was not good enough (when try opportunity was missed).
"As a team we were not good enough. There is a lot of work to do, which we will start tomorrow."
Castleford Tigers: Tansey; Solomona, Gibson, Shenton, Robson; Finn, Gale; Lynch, S. Moore, Bailey, O. Holmes, Mariano, Massey.
Replacements: Millington, Boyle, Maher, T. Holmes.
Catalans Dragons: Escare; Oldfield, Cardace, Tonga, Yaha; Bosc, Dureau; Anderson, Henderson, Casty, Taia, Whitehead, Baitieri.
Replacements: Pelissier, Garcia, Bousquet, Springer.
Referee: Robert Hicks
Attendance: 5,704
