Tigers rumbled at The Jungle
Catalans Dragons overturned a 10-point deficit to keep themselves in the play-off picture with a 22-20 win at Castleford.
Last Updated: 27/06/09 8:36pm
Catalans Dragons overturned a 10-point deficit to keep themselves in the engage Super League play-off picture with a 22-20 win at Castleford.
The French outfit were reeling after early tries from Brett Ferres and Richard Owen, however the Dragons were level by the interval courtesy of scores from Dimitri Pelo and Jean-Philippe Baile.
Clint Greenshields and Dane Carlaw then completed the fightback in the second half but Owen's second of the night left Catalans clinging on at the end.
The win sees Catalans leapfrog Bradford into 11th place, while Tigers remain just outside the play-off shake-up on 16 points.
Flowing move
The home side flew out of the traps with two scores inside the opening seven minutes. The first came after a high kick from Rangi Chase wasn't dealt with properly and Ferres pounced on the loose ball to touch down.
Kirk Dixon missed the conversion, but he was soon given a chance to kick over his first points over the night when Owen broke through his and Jason Croker's defences to touch down.
Catalans responded well though, and when Thomas Bosc's long pass found Baile, his offload put Pelo over in the corner, although the crowd felt the ball was incorrectly grounded.
Undetered, Bosc added the extras and was then involved in a flowing move moments later that sent Baile in to level the scores.
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 visitors quickly bounced back and snatched the lead for the first time after Greenshields leapt high to claim a Bosc kick and brilliantly score.
Brilliant
Castleford, who were becoming increasingly frustrated at some of the decisions awarded by referee Ian Smith, vented the fury once again after the official opted against referring the play to his colleague to check for offside.
Smith was once again on the receiving end of criticism from sections of the home crowd when he penalised Castleford for an incorrect play-the-ball and Carlaw claimed Catalans' decisive try from the resulting possession.
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.
