Castleford maintain excellent start with a 36-28 victory over Catalans Dragons
LUKE GALE again provided the inspiration as Castleford maintained their impressive start to the season with a 36-28 victory over Catalans Dragons.
Castleford have won four out of their last five
The England Knights scrum-half is steadily proving one of the most astute signings of 2015 following his close-season arrival from relegated Bradford.
He was pivotal throughout yesterday as tries from Ashley Gibson, Michael Channing, a last-minute replacement for Denny Solomona, and Grant Millington put the Tigers 20-0 up.
But Catalans came storming back and scored three quick tries either side of half-time, Fouad Yaha crossing before Benjamin Garcia added a double.
Michael Shenton scored to ease Castleford’s nerves but they were soon pegged back as the Dragons made it 26-24 courtesy of Zeb Taia’s converted effort.
Jordan Tansey scored the crucial next try before Scott Moore made sure of the points with time running out, ensuring Garcia’s hat-trick, completed in the final seconds, was in a losing cause.
Castleford coach Daryl Powell said: “We have won four out of our last five, and at some point we are going to become an outstanding team.”
Meanwhile, Warrington captain Joel Monaghan broke Widnes hearts in a thrilling Cheshire derby with the match-winning try 12 seconds from the end.
The Vikings were poised to complete a notable double and collect their first away win of the season when they led 20-18 with time fast running out.
But Monaghan collected a bouncing ball from full-back Stefan Ratchford in the last play of the match to grab his second try and clinch a 22-20 victory at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.