Catalans Dragons recovered from an early 10-point deficit to keep themselves in the engage Super League play-off picture with a nail-biting win at Castleford.
The Tigers got off to a superb start with tries from Brett Ferres and Richard Owen but the Dragons were level by the interval after replies from Dimitri Pelo and Jean-Philippe Baile.
Clint Greenshields and Dane Carlaw then completed the fightback in the second half but Owen’s second left Catalans clinging on to a two-point lead.
Castleford had been in control of the game after claiming two tries in the opening seven minutes.
The first came as Steven Bell failed to deal with a high Rangi Chase kick and Ferres pounced on the loose ball.
Bell was then caught out again two minutes later as Owen broke through his and Jason Croker’s defences to touch down.
Kirk Dixon, having failed to convert the first try from a similar position on the left, made no mistake with his second effort to extend the lead.
Catalans responded well and went close as Croker spilled an Adam Mogg pass close to the line.
They made no mistake on their next serious attack as Thomas Bosc’s long pass found Baile and his offload put Pelo over in the corner, although the crowd felt it was incorrectly grounded.
Bosc added the extras and was then involved in the flowing move moments later that sent Baile in to level the scores.
The Tigers thought they had got back ahead just before the break as Owen slid over out wide but referee Ian Smith, having declined the opportunity when Baile scored, this time sought video confirmation.
Much to the home fans’ irritation, Owen was ruled to have lost possession before reaching the line.
Catalans undid some of their good work by conceding two penalties early in the second half which Joe Westerman, with Dixon off the field, calmly slotted between the posts.
The French missed a chance to reply when Olivier Elima knocked on but Shenton was also unable to touch down from a dangerous kick at the other end.
Catalans came back and went ahead for the first time after Greenshields leapt high to claim a Bosc kick and brilliantly score.
Castleford were unhappy that Smith again chose not to refer the play to his colleague to check for offside but Bosc was unconcerned and stepped up to add the conversion.
Smith further upset the hosts when he penalised Castleford for an incorrect play-the-ball and Carlaw claimed Catalans’ decisive try from the resulting possession.
Carlaw could not be stopped as he charged over from 10 metres from a Mogg pass.
There was still time for the hosts to set up a tense finish as Owen broke clear down the right with four minutes remaining to score in the corner.
Westerman brilliantly converted from the touchline and a Chase 40-20 kick gave the hosts chance to win.
Craig Huby got within inches but was denied by a brilliant Greenshields tackle and the Dragons held on. |
