Castleford 17-16 Catalans: Danny Richardson kicks winner in Golden Point Extra Time

Catalans Dragons missed a chance to move back to second in Super League after they were defeated 17-16 by Castleford in a dramatic encounter settled by Danny Richardson’s drop goal in golden-point extra-time.

The scores were locked for much of the first half at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle but Cheyse Blair opened the scoring for the hosts before Michael McIlorum helped equalise nine minutes after.

The game burst into life in the second half when Ryan Hampshire gave the Tigers the lead again straight after half-time, but Sam Tomkins pulled the visitors level once more before they went ahead soon after through Arthur Romano.

However, Derrell Olpherts’ corner try then drew the sides level for a third time in the match.

In golden-point extra-time both sides missed opportunities in the first period but Danny Richardson’s drop goal in the second half earned two points for the hosts.

Castleford had weathered an early storm but also posed a threat themselves. After five tackles and some quick passing on, Kenny Edwards was dragged into touch after trying to bundle himself over the whitewash.

The hosts finally had the opening try of the game in the 27th minute when Jake Trueman threaded a neat grubber kick into the onrushing path of Blair, who quickly gathered and touched down before Richardson added the extras to make it 6-0.

Catalans came forward in search of a quick response and got their opening score of the contest in the 36th minute after Tomkins’ 40-20 put the visitors forward.

McIlorum nudged the ball over the line from dummy half and Tomkins added the extras.

Castleford came firing straight out of the traps in the second period and hit the lead once again in the 42nd minute after a penalty fell in their favour.

Hampshire