Tigers scrape past Dragons

Castleford revived their hopes of reaching the play-offs as they battled to a 24-20 Super League victory over Catalans Dragons at the Jungle.

It ended a run of three straight defeats for the Tigers, but they made hard work of it against a Dragons outfit who extended their club record losing streak to nine games.

The game was pushed back from the weekend with the Dragons welcoming back ten players who featured in France's 60-6 defeat by England on Saturday.

But they demonstrated few signs of fatigue as they put up a brave display that belied their position some six points adrift at the foot of the table.

The visitors were able to welcome back Casey McGuire from a month's lay-off and it took him just five minutes to make an impact as he forced his way over from dummy-half for the game's first try.

William Barthau, a fourth-choice full-back, hit the posts with the conversion attempt which was ultimately to prove costly.

Castleford hit back with two tries in the space of nine minutes midway through the first-half from replacement Steve Snitch.

The second rower was set up on both occasions by scrum-half Rangi Chase, going over first on 19 minutes and then producing a good line to coast over eight minutes later as he grabbed his second.

Profligate

Joe Westerman added both goals but the Tigers were made to pay for their profligacy as the Dragons closed to within two points at the break as burly centre Sebastien Raguin took a Setaimata Sa's pass and fended off Dean Widders before touching down - Barthau adding the extras.

The hosts passed up more chances in the second half and the misses began to look costly when the visitors regained the lead on 53 minutes.

Inevitably, former Castleford scrum-half Brent Sherwin was involved in the score, sending out the long pass which enabled left winger Vaccari to cross unopposed.

Barthau's touchline goal made it 16-12 but Castleford winger Michael Wainwright then took centre-stage to pout his side back in control.

On 57 minutes he collected a high-kick from Chase and ducked between defenders to score and then made sure of the points when Snitch broke clear and fed him allowing Westerman to add his fourth goal.

But the visitors refused to throw in the towel and had the final say when Frederic Vaccari claimed his second try to cause a few flutters amongst the home fans.

However, Tigers held on for the win, although the result was soured somewhat by a serious-looking knee injury to centre Michael Shenton late on.