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Castleford Tigers 20 Catalans Dragons 22: We'll look at our own failings, says Matterson after Tigers edged out
CASTLEFORD Tigers continue to be left on the fringes of the play-off places after another frustrating defeat which provided a microcosm of their entire season in 80 frantic minutes.
Terry Matterson's side made a tremendous start, surging into a 10-0 lead after just seven minutes, but were gradually hauled back and eventually overtaken by their dogged visitors.
Any hopes that the previous week's victory at Huddersfield would kick-start the Tigers' campaign were left shattered by a combination of Castleford errors and Catalans' ruthless determination to attack the hosts' right side of defence.
The Tigers faithful were also in no doubt as to their feelings towards referee Ian Smith, with the Oldham-based official forced to endure a torrent of abuse and catcalls at full time as he was escorted quickly from the pitch surrounded by a wall of security.
The Rugby Football League will await reports from match officials before deciding whether to take action after bottles were thrown onto the field and some Catalans players were showered with beer from the stands.
An RFL spokesman said: "We are aware of the incidents but cannot comment until we have received reports from the referee and match commissioner."
Smith took centre stage during a tense final quarter and angered Castleford's players and supporters by calling a number of important decisions in the Dragons' favour.
Matterson, however, refused to criticise outright Smith's performance, although he conceded that he had been left frustrated by the lack of involvement of video referee Phil Bentham.
"I don't really want to comment (on Smith's display)," he said. "I don't think it's going to do us any good. We need to look at the areas that we came up short and make sure we improve there."
Smith asked for replays to be consulted on four occasions but crucially backed his own judgment when Clint Greenshields's flying leap saw him collect Thomas Bosc's chipped kick and push Catalans ahead for the first time.
Wheldon Road erupted in fury as big screen replays appeared to suggest Greenshields had been offside but, with Smith having already awarded the score, Castleford were forced to regroup and devise a way of wresting back the initiative.
"I just don't understand why they don't go to the video," added Matterson. "I can't see the TV screen from where I'm sitting so I'm not too sure, but if the technology's there then you might as well use it. I just don't understand why they don't use it."
Smith's unpopularity increased when he awarded a controversial penalty against Rangi Chase just seconds after Catalans had knocked on 40 metres from their own line.
The Tigers were still only trailing by two points and looked ready to strike when Smith blew up Chase for an incorrect play-the-ball. Castleford's gifted possession had not even made it to the first tackle but worse was to follow, with Bosc and Adam Mogg combining to send Dane Carlaw rampaging over in the visitors' resulting set.
Bosc's conversion put Catalans eight points ahead and provided enough of a safety buffer that the Dragons were able to withstand Richard Owen's late try – his second of the game – and still hang on for the points. Castleford have now lost six of their last seven games but, like this year's campaign, their start to Saturday's match was cut from an entirely different cloth.
Two errors in quick succession from Catalans winger Steve Bell were taken full advantage of as the Tigers blasted out of the blocks.
Bell first dropped Chase's kick under pressure from Michael Shenton to leave Brett Ferres with a simple score before then letting Owen slip through his grasp when the Tigers' youngster burst on to Sione Faumuina's inviting pass.
However, Castleford could not hold on and they were pegged back by half-time. Bosc's long pass forced Kirk Dixon in off his wing in an attempt to halt Jean-Philippe Baile but the Dragons centre managed to offload for Dimitri Pelo to touch down in the corner.
Five minutes later, Castleford's right side was exposed once more when Casey McGuire, Mogg and Bosc worked a two-man overlap that allowed Baile to stroll over unchallenged.
The Tigers started the second half with two quick penalies from Joe Westerman, who had taken over the kicking responsibilities after Dixon withdrew through injury, and they once again looked to be in control.
But the Dragons, who are also just outside the top eight, showed some of the spirit that helped to earn them a third-placed finish last year. Cyril Gossard was only stopped when Ryan Boyle desperately clung on to his shirt but there was to be no denying Greenshields or Carlaw as the game wore on.
"Our first 15 minutes was right to the plan but after that our ball control went down," said Matterson. "Catalans are a good side and they capitalised on it.
"The disappointing thing is that game was there to win. When you get away to 10-0 you'd like to think you can carry on but it's not about the first 15 minutes, it's about the 80 minutes. We came up short."
Castleford Tigers: Owen; Wainwright, Shenton, Widders, Dixon; Faumuina, McGoldrick; Sargent, Chase, Huby, Ferres, Jones, Westerman. Substitutes: Clayton, Higgins, Boyle, Netherton.
Catalans Dragons: Greenshields; Bell, Baile, Crocker, Pelo; Mogg, Bosc; Ferriol, McGuire, Guisset, Elima, Gossard, Carlaw. Substitutes: Casty, Mounis, Ryles, Perry.
Referee: I Smith (Oldham).
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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