Castleford (16) 34
Tries: Wainwright, McGoldrick 2, Sherwin 2, Evans Goals: Westerman 5

Catalans (10) 18
Tries: Vaccari, Elima, Mounis, Baile Goals: Mounis

By Ged Scott BBC Sport at Murrayfield

Castleford's Michael Wainwright dives over in the corner for his side's opening try against Catalans Dragons

Castleford Tigers survived a second-half comeback from Catalans Dragons at Murrayfield to leave the French side still bottom of Super League XV.

Three first-half tries from Michael Wainwright, Ryan McGoldrick and Brent Sherwin earned Cas an interval lead, which James Evans then stretched.

But Dragons hit back to within four points thanks to second-half tries from Gregory Mounis and Jean-Phillipe Baile.

It took late tries for McGoldrick and Sherwin to seal the Tigers' victory.

Cas had already had one try chalked off, prop Mitchell Sargent failing to ground the ball properly, when they went ahead on nine minutes.

This one too was referred to the video referee, who this time ruled in their favour by overlooking a potential obstruction and allowing winger Wainwright's score in the left corner to count.

Joe Westerman missed with that conversion attempt but he was successful with his next effort seven minutes later when he was given the chance to improve full-back McGoldrick's try.

But Catalans did not take long to respond - and, by the half hour, they were all square again at 10-10.

A clever dart into the line from the jinking Dimitri Pelo on 23 minutes creating the space for Frederic Vaccari to go over in the left corner, Mounis missing with the kick.

And, just another seven minutes later, the Dragons scored again, scrum-half Casey McGuire's break creating the space for Olivier Elima to score, his fellow second row Mounis slotting the conversion.

But Catalans were only back on level terms for three minutes.

Kirk Dixon's cross kick from the right flank took an evil bounce to wrong foot the covering Steven Bell - and the ball fell kindly for Cas scrum-half Sherwin to score, Westerman adding the extras.

Six minutes after the restart, Cas stretched clear again when centre Evans crossed, Westerman adding his third successful kick.

But Mounis pulled a try back five minutes later and, although he missed the kick, that gave the Dragons hope at 22-14.

Hope then became expectation 13 minutes from time when hooker Baile darted over for his first try of the season.

But Westerman's boot earned Cas a six-point cushion. And, after McGoldrick ran in for a second try to seal victory on 77 minutes, there was still time for Sherwin to ice the cake with his own second try almost on the final whistle.

Castleford coach Terry Matterson:
"We made hard work of it. But we got the job done and we've won a couple on the row now, so we can build some confidence from that.

"It gives the fans something to cheer about - they have had some tough times.

"I don't think they have reacted in the right way at times but they are a good set of fans.

"It is just the minor few that spoil it for the majority but I am sure they are a bit happier today."

Catalans coach Kevin Walters:
"I thought we were better than last week, but not quite good enough for today.

"I think they scored four tries from kicks, which demonstrates our lack of a full-time full-back.

"Dimitri Pelo is doing a fabulous job, but he's not a full-back, he's a winger.

"Thomas Bosc has a foot injury which creates problems in a lot of areas, but he's battling on, and we'll have to."

Castleford: McGoldrick, Wainwright, Evans, Thompson, Dixon, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Hudson, Jackson, Huby, Jones, Westerman.
Replacements: Snitch, Higgins, Holmes, Tuson.

Catalans Dragons: Pelo, Bell, Raguin, Sa, Vaccari, Bosc, McGuire, Carlaw, Baile, Guisset, Elima, Mounis, Johnson.
Replacements: Touxagas, K. Bentley, Martins, Casty.

Referee: I Smith (Oldham).

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