Castleford Tigers suffer their first loss of the season

Castleford Tigers have suffered their first defeat of the season, going down 36-18 to Catalans in Perpignan. The Tigers travelled to the south of France with an aim to pick up a third consecutive win to start their Betfred Super League campaign but were never at their best at the Stade Gilbert Brutus as the home side picked up their first points of year thanks largely to a hat-trick from Sam Tomkins. Just two minutes Catalans’ full back open the score as he sliced through out wide before Israel Folau made it a dream start for his new team when the Dragons’ star signing plucked a high kick out of the air to hand the home side a 12-0 advantage just seven minutes into his debut. The Tigers were missing several players against their near full-strength hosts, however, responded with a superb try by Derrell Olpherts minutes after his centre partner Cheyse Blair had been held up just short as the Fords went close in their first attacking set. Full Time: Catalans Dragons 36-18 Castleford Tigers Catalans Dragons S Tomkins, Tierney, Langi. Folau, Yaha, Maloney, Drinkwater, Casty, McIlorum, Bousquet, Whitley, J Tomkins, Garcia Interchange Jullien, Maria, Baitieri, Kasiano Tries: S Tomkins (3), Folau, Langi, Yaha Conversions: Maloney (5/6) Penalties: Maloney (1/1) Castleford Tigers Rankin, Olpherts, Blair, Shenton, Clare, Trueman, Richardson, Watts, McShane, Griffin, Holmes, Millington, Massey Interchange                                        McMeeken, Smith, O’Neill, Hepi Tries: Olpherts, Blair, Clare Conversions: Richardson (3/3) Sin Bin: Olpherts Attendance: 8,886 Source- Castleford Tigers