Castleford Tigers 17-16 Catalans Dragons: Highlights, player ratings and talking points

Castleford Tigers took on Catalans Dragons at the Jungle this afternoon.

It was a really low-scoring affair with only Cheyse Blair scoring a try for the home side in the first-half and Michael McIlorum replying.

6-6 at the break it became 16-16 late on in the second-half as both teams tried to get good field position for a drop-goal.

Danny Richardson slotted over the one-pointer to win the game for the Tigers in golden point.

Highlights

A brilliant Jake Trueman grubber found Cheyse Blair for a try.

A great Joe Chan break laid the platform for Arthur Romano to send the Dragons into a 16-10 lead.

Danny Richardson’s drop goal in golden point won Castleford the game.

Talking points

1. Much improved Castleford display

Castleford were battered by Catalans in the Tigers’ away defeat at the Stade Gilbert Brutus, but head coach Lee Radford called on his players to improve on that awful display. And they did just that, physically matching the French side up front and out wide – something that definitely could not be said earlier in the season.

2. Catalans lose ground

Catalans have now lost ground on the top two following the loss at the Jungle with Huddersfield leapfrogging the French side into third position in the Super League table.

3. Richardson’s return

Danny Richardson returned for Castleford with great effect, supplying the Tigers with some pivotal moments including a 40/20 and the winning drop goal. It really was good to see the former St Helens man in the mood to play.

Player ratings

Castleford Tigers

26 Ryan Hampshire – 9
5 Bureta Faraimo – 7
24 Cheyse Blair – 7
17 Mahe Fonua – 6
2 Derrell Olpherts – 6
6 Jake Trueman – 7
7 Danny Richardson – 8
15 George Griffin – 6
9 Paul McShane – 8
14 Nathan Massey – 6
11 Kenny Edwards – 7
37 Alex Mellor – 7
13 Joe Westerman – 7
Substitutes
8 Liam Watts – 7
10 George Lawler – 7
12 Adam Milner – 6
25 Suaia Matagi – 6

Catalans Dragons

29 Sam Tomkins – 8
2 Tom Davies – 7
19 Arthur Romano – 7
3 Samisoni Langi – 8
5 Fouad Yaha – 7
6 Mitchell Pearce – 7
7 Josh Drinkwater – 7
22 Dylan Napa – 6
9 Michael McIlorum – 8
10 Julian Bousquet – 7
11. Matt Whitley – 6
12. Mike McMeeken – 7
13. Benjamin Garcia – 7
Substitutes
8 Gil Dudson – 7
16 Paul Seguier – 6
17. Mickael Goudemand – 6
27. Joe Chan – 8