Headline: Catalans Dragons Defeat Castleford Tigers 34-6 in Power-Interrupted Match
In a Super League fixture on Friday evening, the Catalans Dragons claimed a decisive 34-6 victory over the Castleford Tigers at Wheldon Road, a match that experienced a 35-minute delay in the second half due to a power outage.
The game showcased numerous errors, but the Dragons managed to secure the win with two tries from Toby Sexton, as well as contributions from Edenn Rogers-Smith, Leo Darrelatour, Ben Condon, and Lewis Dodd. The Tigers, marking the centenary of their inaugural match, received their only score from Lazarus Vaalepu.
The Dragons initially thought they had scored within the first five minutes when Clement Martin connected with a Sexton kick to touch down in the corner; however, a review by the video referee identified an offside. Shortly afterward, Sexton found the try line beneath the posts when Darrelatour broke down the left flank and executed a precise kick towards him.
Catalans continued to apply pressure, leading to Rogers-Smith adding a second try, which solidified their early control of the match. Castleford responded with a try from Vaalepu, who crossed under the posts on his home debut, reducing the deficit to 12-6 at halftime after Ben McNamara’s conversion.
Following the power outage, the Dragons extended their lead when Condon scored after an impressive run by Charlie Staines. Although Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet missed a conversion during the play, he did convert five times throughout the game.
Catalans further increased their advantage, with Dodd and Sexton both crossing for additional tries, culminating in a convincing win for the visitors.
Castleford: Laulu-Togaga’e, Senior, Brand, Mellor, Sarbah; Asi, McNamara; Atoni, Hood, Lawler, Lane, Brown, Stimson.
Interchanges: Hall, Robb, Dupree, Vaalepu.
Catalans: Staines; Cotric, Martin, Aispuro-Bichet, Darrelatour; Sexton, Dodd; Allen, Tison, Bousquet, Rogers-Smith, Garcia, Da Costa.
Interchanges: Condon, Laguerre, Descalzi, Goudemand.
Referee: James Vella.
Betfred Super League
Castleford Tigers (6) 6
Try: Vaalepu Goal: McNamara
Catalans Dragons (12) 34
Tries: Sexton 2, Rogers-Smith, Darrelatour, Condon, Dodd Goals: Aispuro-Bichet 5
Catalans Dragons ran out 34-6 winners at Castleford Tigers in a Super League match which was delayed for 35 minutes during the second half because of a power outage.
Advertisement
It was an error-laden match, but a double from Toby Sexton plus tries by Edenn Rogers-Smith, Leo Darrelatour, Ben Condon and Lewis Dodd secured a comfortable win for the Dragons.
On the night Castleford marked 100 years since their first ever match, Lazarus Vaalepu scored their only try.
The Dragons thought they had gone ahead inside five minutes when Clement Martin met a Sexton kick to cross in the corner, but the video referee confirmed he was offside.
Moments later, though, Sexton touched down under the posts when Darrelatour broke down the left and timed a kick perfectly to find him.
Pressure kept building and soon enough, Rogers-Smith added a second try for Catalans to cement their dominance.
Advertisement
Cas hit back when Vaalepu, their loanee from Leigh, crossed under the posts on his home debut and Ben McNamara’s conversion meant the hosts trailed 12-6 at half-time.
Darrelatour denied Daniel Sarbah at one end before forcing his way over at the other. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet missed this conversion, but kicked five goals on the night.
Catalans, who led 16-6 at the time of the power outage, delivered the hammer blow shortly after the resumption when Condon went over following a superb drive by Charlie Staines.
The visitors scored twice more late on through Dodd and Sexton to complete a convincing victory.
Advertisement
Castleford: Laulu-Togaga’e, Senior, Brand, Mellor, Sarbah; Asi, McNamara; Atoni, Hood, Lawler, Lane, Brown, Stimson.
Interchanges: Hall, Robb, Dupree, Vaalepu.
Catalans: Staines; Cotric, Martin, Aispuro-Bichet, Darrelatour; Sexton, Dodd; Allen, Tison, Bousquet, Rogers-Smith, Garcia, Da Costa.
Interchanges: Condon, Laguerre, Descalzi, Goudemand.
Referee: James Vella.
[/gpt3]