| Catalans Dragons Away |
The Tigers got back to winning ways with a hard fought victory over the Catalans Dragons ending 4 game losing run with half back Rangi Chase playing a starring role for Cas scoring a try and having a hand, or boot, in 2 others. It was far from a one man show as there were telling contributions from skipper Ryan Hudson and Stuart Jones whilst on-loan signing Mike Cooper scored a try on debut. Young back row forward John Davies also impressed on his Superleague debut. Cas had a couple of early opportunities but the home side took the lead after 14 minutes when former Tiger Olivier Elima sent Chris Walker in at the corner after Cyril Stacul had been tackled close to the line. Walker couldn't convert from the touchline but the Dragons had a 4-0 lead. Elima had a hand in the Dragons next score sending Jamal Fakir crashing over beside the posts for a try which Gregory Mounis converted to extend the lead to 10-0. Cas battled hard and registered their first score on the stroke of half time. Cooper went close and a kick by Chase was forced dead by Clint Greenshields. The resulting goal line drop out was held up in the strong wind and the Tigers regained possession deep in Dragons territory enabling Hudson to send Cooper charging over under the sticks. Joe Westerman converted from bang in front and the half time score read Catalans 10 Cas 6. A high kick by caused problems for the Tigers defence and Walker regained possession for Catalans but Steven Bell was unable to take the long pass and a chance went begging. The miss was a costly one as Cas went up field and when Chase's kick caused confusion in the Dragons defence, Steve Snitch took the ball to the line. Seconds later Chase shrugged off a couple of Catalans defenders to level the scores, too wide out for Westerman to convert. The next score also went to Cas to make it 16 unanswered points when another Chase kick saw Greenshields tackled in goal. From the resulting six, Liam Higgins and Snitch were tackled just short before Chase ran the ball on the last. His offload found Hudson who sent Jones dummying his way over for another score. Westerman again converted. The influential Greenshields stamped his authority on the game with a classy break on the hour mark. The Aussie full back broke from deep inside his own half before finding the supporting Casey McGuire who scored between the posts, giving Mounis and easy conversion to tie the scores yet again. As so often happens a mistake follows a score and Setaimata Sa was tackled in to touch immediately from the restart giving the Tigers great field position. Jones and Craig Huby went close before a high kick from Chase saw Bell lose the ball under pressure from Kirk Dixon leaving Michael Wainwright to pounce for the match winning score. Westerman couldn't add the extras but Cas were able to hang on for a valuable win. "It wasn't a pretty win" said Terry Matterson but after only 1 win from 5 previous games the Cas boss will no doubt be delighted that his side came away with a win. After a confidence boosting victory Cas have back to back home game as high flying Wigan and then the Wrexham based Crusaders visit The Jungle before the usually gruelling Easter programme is upon them. Tigers: McGoldrick, Ainscough, Shenton, Dixon, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Higgins, Hudson, Huby, Clayton, Snitch, Westerman. Subs: Sargent, Jones, Davies, Cooper. Dragons: Greenshields, Bell, Raguin, Walker, Stacul, Sa, McGuire, Ferriol, Bentley, Carlaw, Elima, Gossard, Johnson. Subs: Guissett, Mounis, Fakir, Casty Referee: Ian Smith Attendance: 6810 Normytigers Man of the Match
1st Rangi Chase 3 points 2nd Stuart Jones 2 points 3rd Ryan Hudson 1 point |
