Castleford 14-21 Catalans
Tigers throw a lead to lose first game back in Super League
Expectation was high at The Jungle on Saturday evening, with an air of belief that the Tigers would start the season with a bang.
The pre-match entertainment somewhat demonstrated that with class act Mutya Buena, supported by Anouska bringing the house down with some excellent vocals.
However, in similar fashion to the fireworks that were lit as the players entered the stadium, the game turned out to be a damp squib, with both sides showing a standard of rugby which isn't likened to Super League, in a turgid, scrappy game.
It was Catalans who started the game brightly, and it was only thanks to some excellent defence from the Tigers that held firm and prevented Catalans from going ahead.
Persistence did pay off eventually though, with the Tigers giving away the first of seventeen penalties, and Catalans did the honours and Thomas Bosc converted to give the Perpignan based side a slender 2-0 advantage.
The domination continued for Catalans, with powerful runs gaining more yards than those that Castleford could manage. It was only thanks to the excellent kicking of off-season recruit Brent Sherwin that gave them some breathing space.
It was from one of these kicks that gave Castleford the first try of the game. Errors were made continuously, and the ball was passed out wide giving winger Stuart Donlan ample time and space to dive over in the corner.
Young star Joe Westerman converted the try from the touchline, and soon the Tigers extended their lead. Another mistake from the Dragons gave Castleford head and feet at the scrum down. The ball was passed out, after a swift break downfield, giving Brent Sherwin time and ease to find Michael Shenton with an inside ball, in a seemingly pre-planned training ground move.
And from thereon Castleford looked to have got on top, taking the game by the scruff of the neck. But after half-time the tide changed once more.
The Tigers played some excellent stuff at times, but were let down by their failure to get back onside, and it duly cost them excellent field position. Coach Terry Matterson even described it as "dumb football."
And roughly fifteen minutes inside the second half, Catalans got back into the game thanks to an early try from Gregory Mounis, converted by Bosc.
An easy kick through the Castleford defence, after another three consecutive penalties were given away, much to the crowds annoyance, found Jason Croker to touch down, and all of a sudden the Tigers had lost their twelve point lead, finding themselves behind for the second time of the match.
But Catalans also were getting penalised, and from a resulting penalty, Westerman slotted over another conversion to make it 14-all.
With fifteen minutes remaining David Ferriol was sent to the sin-bin for an high tackle on Cas' youngster Anthony Thackeray. But the Tigers failed to take advantage of the temporary situation, and Catalans punished them, with Bosc once again being the instigator.
Bosc found some gaps in a very tired defence, and sprinted over for yet another Catalans try, and restore the advantage. And with minutes remaining the game was won when Bosc slotted over a drop-goal to ensure victory and two points was heading back to Perpignan.
Castleford 14, Catalans Dragons, 21.
Players warming up prior to the match
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