Defeat in the South of France

The Tigers travelled to the south of France on Saturday afternoon to take on the Catalan Dragons but it ended in defeat.

The Catalan Dragons got us underway as a high boot found Innes Senior who safely collected, getting Cas underway in France.

Two penalties in the opening defensive for the Tigers didn’t do them any favours, The Dragons possibly should’ve dived over but great defence from Broadbent kept the attacking side out.

A smart last tackle kick followed from the Dragons which was collected by Jack Broadbent, but a goal line drop out was forced.

Another massive effort from Jack Broadbent stopped Catalan Dragons from scoring as Catalan went to dive over the line but the fullback was there to force the knock on.

Cas looked to open the scoring after some heroic defending, Joe Westerman took the line on and found Rowan Milnes, a quick pass out the back and Josh Simm walked over the line but the video referee chalked the try off for obstruction.

Cas had some encouraging signs after 10 minutes when they marched down into some good ball territory but a pass to Senior was too much as the winger knocked the ball on.

Multiple six-again calls from the referee gifted Catalans the field position, the ball came out the back to Mourgue who danced over the line.

Jordan Abdull got one for himself after Catalans moved the ball to the right edge, another sloppy set by Cas allowed Catalan to go 10 points up.

Spirited defence from the Tigers kept them in the arm wrestle after the Catalan try, a quick play the ball from Alex Mellor gave Cas an opportunity, a Cain Robb crash ball to Joe Westerman put Cas on the board with just over 5 minutes to go in the first half.

However, a nightmare off the kick off see’s Cas knock the ball on. A scrum play followed and Johnstone dived over in the corner.

Plenty of effort and determination from the Tigers in the first half but too many errors putting them behind. A 16-6 score line with plenty to play for when the boys walked into the changing rooms.

It didn’t take the Dragons long to get back on the board in the second half when poor defence from Cas allowed Matthieu Laguerre to dive over out wide.

The Dragons found themselves in good field position once again when a Jordan Abdul kick was dropped by Broadbent. It was just too easy for Catalan when Tom Davies walked into the corner.

Cas bombed a chance of their own when Senior broke through the line, an inside pass from Broadbent was unfortunately then tapped down by Johnstone. 

However, Cas quickly made up for it from the scrum as a try from Josh Simm in the corner allowed Cas to start a possible comeback.

Cas had another quick response when off the cuff play put Jacob Miller through the line who found Cain Robb. A challenge from Tom Johnstone went up for a possible penalty try but the video ref deemed the challenge as okay.

Following the decision Matt Ikuvalu was able to crash over down the other end after 65 minutes, frustrating for the Tigers after being so close to being back in the game.

Just two minutes later Cesar Rouge dived over from dummy half putting the Dragons up by 40 points to 10. 

A consolation try for the Tigers with 4 minutes to go, a Luke Hooley kick was grounded by Josh Simm who saluted the travelling Tigers supporters.

FULL TIME SCORE: CATALAN DRAGONS 40 – 14 CASTLEFORD TIGERS

Castleford Tigers: Jack Broadbent, Josh Simm, Charbel Tasipale, Sam Wood, Innes Senior, Rowan Milnes, Jacob Miller, George Lawler, Liam Horne, Sam Hall, Brad Martin, Alex Mellor, Joe Westerman.

Interchanges: Luke Hooley, Cain Robb, Samy Kibula, Albert Vete.

Tries: Westerman, Simm x2

Conversions: Milnes

Catalan Dragons: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Matt Ikuvalu, Matthieu Laguerre, Tom Johnstone, Jordan Abdull, Theo Fages, Mike McMeeken, Benjamin Garcia, Romain Navarrete, Tariq Sims, Paul Seguier, Bayley Sironen.

Interchanges: Julian Bousquet, Cesar Rouge, Jordan Dezaria, Franck Maria.

Tries: Mourgue, Abdul, Johnstone, Laguerre, Davies, Ikuvalu, Rogue

Conversions: Mourgue x6