Super League: Castleford refused to be denied by Dragons earning a 17-17 draw
A Gareth O'Brien drop goal rescued a point for Castleford as they drew 17-17 with Catalan Dragons.
Last Updated: 24/02/13 6:14pm
The Tigers trailed three times but held a 16-12 lead heading into the final quarter before a Damien Blanch try put Dragons in front.
But O'Brien matched Thomas Bosc's one-pointer from 20-yards to earn a share of the points.
The visitors dominated early on after Grant Millington spilled the ball when it looked like he was clean through, but were beaten back by a reslient home defence.
However, the relentless pressure paid of on 26 minutes when Vincent Duport crossed in the corner with Bosc adding the extras.
But to Castleford's credit, substitute Jordan Thompson made an instant impact after coming on by picking a hole in the Dragons defence to cross under the posts with his first touch of the ball.
Jamie Ellis levelled the scores but his side could not go on from there and it was the Dragons who took a 12-6 half-time lead after Louis Anderson shrugged off Jordan Tansey to go over.
The start of the second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with the Dragons very much on the front foot but unable to find a gap in Castleford's robust defence.
Ian Millward's side were always in the game though and Millington burst into open space before passing to Michael Shenton and he held off the challenge of Steve Menzies to go over in the right corner.
Nathan Massey then looked to have put the Tigers ahead for the first time in the match when he profited from Daryl Millard's slip to touch down from Shenton's grubber.
However, referee James Childs - who was already unpopular with the home fans over several decisions - risked further ire by ruling Massey offside.
They would not be denied and sensed a weakness down Catalans' left-wing, with Weller Hauraki providing the initial break before Dixon went over.
Ellis added the extras to give the Tigers a 16-12 advantage heading into the final 15 minutes, but predictably the Dragons immediately went on the offensive and Blanch went over in the right corner.
Bosc and Tigers stand-off O'Brien traded drop goals to set up a thrilling finale and although both teams had their chance to claim victory, they had to settle for a hard-earned point.
