GAME ON : Catalan Dragons v Castleford Tigers - 17:00:00

GENERAL CHAT ABOUT THE GAME, BUILD UP, THE ACTION AS IT HAPPENS AND AFTERMATH BELOW.

Real class by shenton there. Then again, Catalans have hardly been shy of milking cheap pens in the past..

As Phil Clarke says, the sport needs to change the culture. It won't change if the refs keep giving penalties and the RFL start handing out bans. Shenton actually threw the ball into a man laid on the floor. Shambolic.

Really disappointed with Shenton with that, that’s not how we should be playing the game.

I do think that the Shenton one (and one last weekend) were slightly different to most. The defender who’s offside is directly between the dummy half and the first receiver, rather than the dummy half just throwing the ball at someone lying, out of the way, at the side of the ruck.
Just like the dummy half running at the marker who isn’t square, it’s taking advantage of a defender who hasn’t got into the right place.

please don't defend it, it's cheating plain and simple.

It he passed to Mcshane he would have caught it. He threw it to the floor though.

All teams do it. No ones "cleaner" than any other despite some stating to the contrary.

The game as a whole needs to take steps to eradicate it though.

I think there’s a subtle difference. If the defender is between the dummy half and first receiver, I have no issue. It’s the same as the dummy half running at a defender who hasn’t got square at marker.
When it crosses into cheating (in my opinion) is when the dummy half throws the ball at a defender who is at the side of the ruck in a position that doesn’t actually impede the pass.

First time I've seen Cas do it from what I can remember. Hate to see it. Ref should just say play on.

Nope. As far as I’m concerned if a defender is between the dummy half and the first receiver, it’s a penalty.

It he's stood up then you may have a point. He was on the floor though. Nothing stopping Shenton passing to Mcshane cleanly. Think you're in the minority.

If somebody said a Cas player would milk a penalty like that, the last one I would suspect is Shenton!

What next, Danny Brough encouraging a youngster.

This is down to the ref from the point when cas got penalised which resulted in Cats first try.
Cant remember who it was but the cas player had no chance whatsoever of clearing from the quick play the ball which resulted in a penalty and a try...from that point on they probably thought sod it, its our turn,then the Cats do it....the games a joke.

Sorry but don't agree. Shenton definitely played for it and it shouldn't happen.

As for the game. Surprised we are only 8 behind. Can't see us getting close and it looks like it will be Wakey 3rd and Cas 4th for Easter.

True. If you notice after Shenton did it.... Gigot did it a little while later on our prop Clark. Clark had a moan at Gigot and he pointed to Shenton.... Just shows teams will do anything for a penalty.

Down to the game to stop it

Maybe he did, but as soon as we start giving penalties for “intent”, things get very tricky. What’s to say he didn’t just fumble the ball? It would have made its way to McShane but for the offside player.
It’s the rule that needs to change from offside to obstruction in my opinion.

Par for the course.

Great defence by Mead there.

Excellent. Gigot is offside and within the 10 here.....

Can only assume the VR can’t see Gigot for some bizarre reason.
However, Cas deserve nothing from this (so far).
James Clare is simply nowhere near a SL player.

A decisive and important win for Catalans Dragons over formerly 3rd placed now 4th placed Castleford Tigers. Catalans are now placed sixth on the ladder, based upon match score points differential (just three differential points behind Hull FC). While I expect Catalans to be beaten by high flying St Helens in the next round, the following game against Hull in Hull, and the subsequent game against Wigan at Camp Nou in Barcelona, will together give Catalans a shot at 5th place on the ladder if they can win those two games.

Before people try to excuse Castleford's performance and defeat with reference to its missing injured players, I would remind forum members that Catalans were without the services of injured Benjamin Garcia, Benjamin Jullien, Michael McIlorum, Fouad Yaha, Lucas Albert, Jodie Broughton and Matthew Smith. The tough warrior Gregory Bird was forced to play at No 6 even though this is not his best and most suitable position.

The truth can be upsetting, especially for Leigh fans.

Incorrect . The official should penalise the cheating player , in this case Michael Shenton . The RFL need to stamp this out .

Doesn't upset me Cappy, nor do I think it upsets any other Leythers either for that matter.You're just boring now tbh.