Catalans Dragons took on Castleford Tigers at the Stade Gilbert Brutus tonight in Super League.
The Dragons couldn’t have started any better, running into a 16-0 lead after tries from Julian Bousquet, Mitchell Pearce and Tyrone May before Gareth O’Brien scampered over from a scrum to reduce the deficit to ten.
Catalans added another to make it 22-6 at half-time.
Four more tries were added by the Dragons in the second forty minutes as Catalans racked up a 44-12 win.
Highlights
Talking points
1. May settling
He has yet to nail down a particular position for Catalans, but Tyrone May started at halfback in the absence of Josh Drinkwater and boy did he take his chance. May was superb in attack and imposed himself in defence to really stamp his authority for the French side.
2. Castleford woeful
They may have won three games in a row, but this was the acid test for Castleford. Victories over Wakefield, Leeds and St Helens were important, but the former two are in a pickle whilst the Saints side was full of teenagers. Down 22-6 at the break, things got worse for the Tigers after half-time. They aren’t a play-off side on this showing.
3. French talent
How good is it to see rugby league thriving in Catalans with young Frenchmen coming through the ranks? Two of those shone tonight with Mathieu Laguerre scoring a hat-trick and Arthur Mourgue being incredible with the kicking boot.
Player ratings
Catalans Dragons
1 Arthur Mourgue – 9
2 Tom Davies – 8
19 Arthur Romano – 7
18 Mathieu Laguerre – 9
5 Fouad Yaha – 8
20 Tyrone May – 10
6 Mitchell Pearce – 9
22 Dylan Napa – 7
9 Michael McIlorum – 8
10 Julian Bousquet – 8
11 Matt Whitley – 7
15 Benjamin Jullien – 7
13 Benjamin Garcia – 8
Substitutes
16 Paul Seguier – 7
17 Mickael Goudemand – 7
23 Jordan Dezaria – 8
26 Sam Kasiano – 7
Castleford Tigers
20 James Clare – 4
2 Derrell Olpherts – 5
4 Jake Mamo – 5
17 Mahe Fonua – 5
33 Jason Qareqare – 6
6 Jake Trueman – 6
31 Gareth O’Brien – 7
8 Liam Watts – 6
9 Paul McShane – 6
15 George Griffin – 5
11 Kenny Edwards – 5
10 George Lawler – 5
13 Joe Westerman – 7
Substitutes
12 Adam Milner – 6
14 Nathan Massey – 5
22 Daniel Smith – 6
28 Brad Martin – 5
