Super League: Catalans Dragons 44-26 Castleford Tigers

Ben Pomeroy returned to action after serving a one-match ban for recklessly striking Josh Jones in their 26-12 win over St Helens earlier this month

Castleford's Super League play-off hopes were dented by Catalans Dragons, who won 44-26 despite having Ben Pomeroy sent-off in the first half.

Tony Gigot ran in one of four Dragons tries before Pomeroy was red carded for a body-slam tackle on Ashley Gibson, which saw the centre leave the field on a stretcher and wearing a neck brace.

Justin Carney responded only for Morgan Escare to make it 26-6 at the break.

Gigot completed his hat-trick to keep alive Catalans' own slim top-four bid.

The Dragons, bottom of Super League's Super 8s going into the game, needed to win to give themselves any chance of reaching the last four.

Victory leaves them eight points adrift of St Helens in fourth with four games left, with defeat leaving the Tigers one place and two points outside the semi-finals spots.

Catalans' France international Gigot went in at the corner after just two minutes, with Todd Carney sending Zeb Taia over soon after.

Poor discipline from the visitors - conceding five penalties in 12 minutes - compounded Castleford's slow start and Jeff Lima added to their woes as he evaded three defenders to touch down for Catalans' third score.

Thomas Bosc then linked up with stand-off Todd Carney to help open a 20-point lead.

Pomeroy, in his first game back from suspension, saw red for lifting and then crashing Gibson down in an ugly tackle before Justin Carney hit-back for top-four chasing Castleford and Escare ran in a length-of-the-field try to restore the French side's comfortable lead.

Oliver Holmes went in for the visitors soon after the break and Gigot completed his treble either side of Adam Milner's effort for Castleford.

Escare completed the Dragons' remarkable eight-try performance, while Junior Moors and Milner ran in further tries for Daryl Powell's side.

Catalans Dragons Escare; Inu, Gigot, Pomeroy, Sigismeau; T Carney, Bosc; Elima, Pelissier, Lima, Taia, Whitehead, Baitieri.

Replacements: Henderson, Anderson, Garcia, Bousquet.

Castleford: Roberts; Gibson, Channing, Shenton, J Carney; Finn, Gale; Lynch, Milner, Millington, O Holmes, McMeeken, Massey.

Replacements: Cook, Moors, Springer, McShane.

Referee: Ben Thaler