Catalans Dragons 16 Castleford Tigers 20: Castleford dig deep after trailing to deny Dragons

A fine second-half comeback from Castleford saw the Tigers end a four-game losing run and claim a second Engage Super League win of the season as Catalans failed to gain any reward for their efforts to get this game on at Stade Gilbert Brutus.

The Dragons players had joined over 100 fans in clearing 40cm of snow from the pitch during the week and they made an excellent start to open up a 10-0 lead.

But the visitors roared back to score four unanswered tries and assume a 20-10 lead, meaning a late try from Casey McGuire was not enough for the French side.

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Catalans had entered the game on the back of their first win of the season the previous week and were keen to record back-to-back victories as they played just their second home game of the season following rebuilding work at their stadium, but they were without regular half-backs Adam Mogg and Thomas Bosc through injury.

Castleford gave a debut to forward Mike Cooper, who has joined them on loan from Warrington following injuries to Brett Ferres, Dean Widders and Paul Jackson.

Winger Shaun Ainscough was playing the last match of his month's loan from Wigan, having scored three tries in two previous appearances.

It was the hosts who drew first blood when centre Chris Walker went over in the 14th minute, although Gregory Mounis failed to add the extras.

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That lead was extended just after the half-hour mark when second-row Jamal Fakir powered his way over with Mounis this time successful with the conversion.

But, just as the game appeared to be slipping away from them, Castleford hit back as half-time approached with Mitchell Sargent getting them on the scoreboard with a try, converted by Joe Westerman, to leave them just four points adrift at the break.

The West Yorkshire outfit began the second half in a similar vein as stand-off Rangi Chase went over to level the scores.

Terry Matterson's side then took the lead when Stuart Jones and Michael Wainwright crossed, with Westerman converting the former's try.

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Hooker McGuire got a converted try back for the home side, but it was not sufficient to deny Castleford.

Catalans Dragons: Greenshields, Bell, Raguin, Walker, Stacul, Sa, McGuire, Ferriol, Bentley, Carlaw, Elima, Gossard, Johnson. Substitutes: Guisset, Mounis, Fakir, Casty.

Castleford Tigers: McGoldrick, Wainwright, Shenton, Dixon, Ainscough, Chase, Sherwin, Higgins, Hudson, Huby, Clayton, Snitch, Westerman. Substitutes: Sargent, Jones, Davies, Cooper.

Referee: I Smith (Oldham).