Lee Radford pays tribute to travelling Castleford fans after French defeat

Castleford coach Lee Radford was disappointed they couldn’t send the travelling Tigers faithful home with a win after they lost 44-12 against Catalans in Perpignan.

A hat-trick from France World Cup hopeful Matthieu Laguerre helped the Dragons win convincing in the south of France.

Radford said Castleford’s performance was simply not good enough, and was gutted not to send the supporters home with the two points.

He said: “Our supporters are always behind us. They create a party wherever we go and even when we’re losing I can’t help hearing some of the chants. It’s hard to stop myself laughing, they’re brilliant.

“They’re clearly enjoying themselves and it is a fantastically supported club.

“Although I don’t like apologising to fans, that wasn’t good enough. We should have been better tonight.”

Castleford sit eighth in the Super League table, having lost six from 11 games so far this season.

Radford admitted his side’s pride had been hurt following the defeat in Perpignan.

He added: “There will be some nasty highlight reels for one or two of our blokes out there after tonight.

“We were shocking tonight, second best in every department and when you’re second-best in the physicality, especially the way they play, it didn’t give us any chance to win the game unfortunately.

“We were flat and we knew there would be a response from Catalans after their game against Hull.

“They were second best in the middle against Hull and we got the backlash, we were nowhere near them tonight.

“Fortunately, we don’t seem to have any injury problems, but there may be some bruised pride in the dressing room.

“It’s a cruel sport and it finds you out when your attitude is not quite right.”

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