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06 September 2008 | 18:00 KO
Date confirmed - This is not a televised fixture.
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Tigers edged out in France thriller
Report by Daniel Kemp
Catalan Dragons 38
Tries : Pelo, Guisset, Raguin, Gorrell, Murphy, Greenshields, Mounis
Goals: Bosc 5/8
Castleford Tigers 30
Tries: Shenton, Westerman, Korkidas, McGoldrick, Fletcher
Goals: Dixon 5/5
This match saw the pairing of a side in the form of their lives after winning their last 6 matches, against a side at the foot of the table trying to bounce back from a horror show of a second half just 7 days previous.
The Tigers, who had a shambolic second half last week in the Challenge Cup, welcomed back the return of Matt Cook who was ineligible last week, while also handing a debut to Brendan Hlad who had arrived just 24 hours before.
The Tigers' fans got a sense of déjà vu early on though when slick hands from the Dragons led to a try after just 70 seconds and the Tigers' faithful of about 800 were expecting a long night ahead. Bosc missed the touchline conversion.
The Tigers bounced back ,however, just six minutes later squaring things level. Quick hands from Sherwin and McGoldrick led to Cook feeding the ball to Shenton who stepped inside and had enough power to force himself over the line. Kirk Dixon goaled from wide out and the Tigers were in front 6-4.
This would be short lived though as the Catalans stepped up a gear and took the game right to the Tigers. A simple ball from dummy half met the on-rushing Jerome Guisset who forced his way over the line from close range, with Thomas Bosc goaling to give the Catalans a 10-6 lead after 12 minutes.
But like clockwork the Tigers were to hit back 6 minutes later. Sherwin collected the ball at first receiver and placed a delicate kick into the in-goal area and Joe Westerman was able to celebrate his new 4-year deal with a try after making himself the first to the ball. Kirk Dixon once again added the conversion and the Tigers led again 12-10.
The next 20 minutes almost certainly made the difference though. The Dragons continued to push the plays and looked very dangerous. Full back Clint Greenshields made a great break only to be hauled down short of the line, before the Tigers indiscipline set in and they conceded a penalty on their goal-line.
This was to lead to the inevitable as Gregory Mounis fed a delightful offload to the arms of Sebastien Raguin who dived over to regain the Dragons' lead. Bosc once again missed the conversion leaving the scores at 14-12 – advantage Dragons.
Things weren’t getting any better for Cas. The Dragons had a scrum in the Tigers half and after Raguin went close again, Gorrell overpowered 3 defenders from dummy half to score and give Bosc a simple opportunity for 2 points. He duly delivered and the Catalans had established an 8 point advantage with 25 minutes played.
The Catalans had a roll on and they went in again through Justin Murphy on the 30 minute mark. He managed to squeeze in just before the corner flag and although the touchjudge flagged for a 20 metre restart, the video ref adjudged Murphy had actually grounded the ball just in time. Bosc missed the goal and the Dragons had a lead of 24-12 with ten minutes to go until the break. The Tigers needed to score next or it was virtually game over.
The Tigers did just that. Michael Korkidas ran on to a McGoldrick drop off to overpower 4 defenders and free his arm to score, although a look at the video ref might have led to the try being disallowed as he seemed to lose possession.
But the try was awarded and Dixon goaled his 3rd conversion and the gap was 6 points again and it was game on.
On the hooter though the Dragons had another scrum from a Tigers error and a similar set move led to Murphy feeding Greenshields in for an easy score which dealt a hammer blow to the Tigers and their fans. Bosc goaled and the half-time score was 30-18 but the Tigers weren’t out of it yet.
The second half kicked off with the Tigers in the mood to win and when Raguin slowed down a Tigers restart he was given 10 minutes for a professional foul.
The Tigers were unable to take advantage of their advantage with the extra man and the next score was going to be a French one after Korkidas conceded a penalty. Bosc goaled to extend the lead to 14 points and give Catalans the 3 score cushion.
This didn’t last long though. Just as Catalans were welcoming Raguin back, McGoldrick sliced through the defence to force his way over under the posts. Dixon goaled to cut the gap to 8.
The game then hit a bit of a stalemate; penalties and errors from either side evened each other out and it took 17 minutes for the next score.
This would be a Tigers try though when Sherwin collected the pass and put in a perfectly waited cross field kick for Fletcher to take and score in the corner. The pressure was on Kirk Dixon to add the two and put the Tigers within touching distance; he obliged from the touchline, and the Tigers had a sniff of victory.
However, in true Castleford fashion, their hopes were dashed late on when Bosc placed a cross field kick in which Adam Mogg palmed back into the gathering arms of Greg Mounis who was able to go in for a score under the posts. Bosc's conversion meant the Tigers' fight back was over and was game, set and match Catalans.
Photo courtesy of www.rlphotos.com
Monday, April 28, 2008