Catalans Dragons 16-20 Castleford Tigers

Catalans (10) 16
Tries: Walker, Fakir, McGuire Goals: Mounis 2

Castleford (6) 20
Tries: Sargent, Chase, Jones, Wainwright Goals: Westerman 2

Castleford turned round a half-time deficit to end their four-game losing run with victory in Perpignan.

Tries from Chris Walker and Jamal Fakir helped Catalans open up a 10-0 lead, only for Mitchell Sargent's try to help reduce the arrears by the break.

Rangi Chase and Stuart Jones then ran in tries to put the Tigers in front for the first time.

And, although Casey McGuire's converted try levelled, winger Michael Wainwright crossed to win it for the visitors.

Cas's second victory of the season lifts them a place to 10th in the table.

Catalans were without regular half-backs Adam Mogg and Thomas Bosc for what was only their second home game of the season following rebuilding work at the Gilbert Brutus Stadium.

But, on the back of last weekend's first win against Salford, they were keen to get the game on, as best illustrated by the Dragons players joining over 100 fans in clearing heavy midweek snow from the pitch.

And it was the hosts who drew first blood when centre Walker and second row Fakir both powered their way over.

Just as the game appeared to be slipping away from them, Cas hit back though a try by Sargent, converted by Joe Westerman, which left them just four points adrift at the break.

And the Tigers began the second half in a similar vein when stand-off Chase and Jones both crossed.

Hooker McGuire then crossed, allowing the chance for Gregory Mounis to level it once more. But Cas, who gave a debut to new Warrington loan forward Mike Cooper, won it through Wainwright's try.

Castleford coach Terry Matterson said:

"We weren't too good in the first half but we stuck to the task and could have had another try after Wainwright's but it was disallowed.

"Mike Cooper had a good solid debut. He went well for us and looks a useful acquisition, and John Davies will have benefited from his first outing, but I have to give credit to the full 17.

"It was good to come through unscathed although I'm hoping that Jimmy Evans will be back in action next week after he missed out on Saturday with a quad injury."

Catalans Dragons: Greenshields, Bell, Raguin, Walker, Stacul, Sa, McGuire, Ferriol, Bentley, Carlaw, Elima, Gossard, Johnson.
Replacements: Guisset, Mounis, Fakir, Casty.

Castleford Tigers: McGoldrick, Wainwright, Shenton, Dixon, Ainscough, Chase, Sherwin, Higgins, Hudson, Huby, Clayton, Snitch, Westerman.
Replacements: Sargent, Jones, Davies, Cooper.

Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham).

Attendance: 6,810.