Toulouse maintain strong start in win over Castleford
Castleford were beaten by Wigan in their opening game of the Super League season
- Published
Betfred Super League
Toulouse (10) 24
Tries: Jussaume, Rennie 2, Laguerre Goals: Rouge 4
Castleford (12) 12
Tries: Mapapalangi, Qareqare Goals: Weaver 2
Newcomers Toulouse's strong start to the Super League season continued with victory at home over Castleford Tigers.
Trailing at the break, Olympique ran in four tries in total to claim two wins from two following their victory at Wakefield last weekend in their first Super League campaign in four years.
Two tries from Reubenn Rennie and one each from Mathieu Jussaume and Benjamin Laguerre meant the home side picked up the two points in the south of France.
Krystian Mapapalangi and Jason Qareqare touched down for Tigers but they went down to a second consecutive league defeat under new head coach Ryan Carr.
In just the second minute, Rennie broke through the Cas defence before Jussaume's perseverance allowed him to barge over and open the scoring.
Cas then got on the board when Tom Weaver's accurate up-and-under was collected by Mapapalangi to dot down under the sticks before Weaver added the extras to grab the lead.
Pierre-Jean Lima knocked-on millimetres in front of the Tigers tryline but they were not to be denied three minutes afterwards when a lovely show-and-go from Cesar Rouge allowed the space for Rennie to power over and put Toulouse back in front.
A beautiful tipped pass to the wing from Mapapalangi set up Qareqare, who found room in the left corner to dive over for a terrific try but Weaver hit the post with his conversion attempt meaning Tigers remained level after a pulsating first half an hour.
A dreadful error from Toulouse wing Laguerre under the high ball enforced six-again and Weaver kicked the visitors ahead in front of the sticks.
In the dying moments of the first half, Darnell McIntosh prevented a certain four points for the hosts, tapping the ball behind when Jussaume seemed destined to score a second as Tigers' defence repelled their hosts on four sets of six to retain a half-time lead.
Krystian Mapapalangi scored Castleford's first try in their defeat at Toulouse
After Toulouse successfully challenged a knock-on, the home side went back in front after the break when a quick move to the left allowed Laguerre to score in the left corner.
With less than 20 minutes remaining, Rennie was too powerful for Tigers captain Alex Mellor as he barged over from close range for his second to make the match a two-score game for the first time.
At this stage Castleford lost their discipline and, after conceding another penalty in their own half, Rouge notched over two points to seal the win as Chris Atkin was sent to the bin for a ball steal.
The visitors failed to create in the second half and, while down to 12 men, Mellor limped off injured with moments left.
Toulouse: Ashall-Bott; Laguerre, Tropis, Rennie, Ulberg; Lacans, Rouge; Belmas, Hands, Dupree, Jussaume, Lima, Marion.
Interchanges: Cator, Butler, Bretherton, Garrigues.
Castleford: Rooney; Ravalawa, McIntosh, Mapapalangi, Qareqare; Asi, Weaver; Atoni, Hood, Lawler, Lane, Mellor, Stimson.
Interchanges: Westerman, Atkin, Hall, Beckett.
Sin-bin: Atkin (73)
Referee: Marcus Griffiths.
