Super League: Catalans Dragons 40-14 Castleford Tigers - Fourth win in five games for French side

Catalans Dragons moved level on points with early Super League pacesetters Wigan and St Helens with a convincing victory over winless Castleford Tigers.

Arthur Mourgue, Jordan Abdull and Tom Johnstone crossed in the opening 40 for the Dragons, with Joe Westerman replying for the visitors.

Mathieu Laguerre and Tom Davies crossed before Josh Simm got another for Cas.

Matt Ikuvalu and Cesar Rouge further stretched out the Catalans lead before Simm added a late Tigers reply.

While it was a fifth loss in a row for Castleford head coach Craig Lingard in his maiden Super League campaign, the performance was a vast improvement on recent defeats.

The Tigers showed guts, scored three tries and were competitive throughout, but still found a Dragons side in ominous form on their home Perpignan turf.

They now fall below London Broncos to the foot of the table on points difference with Broncos hosting Warrington on Sunday.

Steve McNamara's Catalans are missing some key names such as experienced hooker Michael McIlorum and new playmaker Jayden Nikorima, but still carved out plenty of points.

Abdull's kicking game was hugely impressive, while Mourgue has stepped up since Sam Tomkins' retirement with some mesmerising touches.

Their performance on the back of a powerful forward pack were the key to unlocking the Tigers, and to making it four wins from five.

Catalans: Mourgue; Davies, Ikuvalu, Laguerre, Johnstone; Abdull, Fages; McMeeken, Garcia, Navarrete, Sims, Seguier, Sironen

Interchanges: Bousquet, Rouge, Dezaria, F. Maria [Aispuro-Bichet]

Castleford: Broadbent; Simm, Taspiale, Wood, Senior; Milnes, Miller; Lawler, Horne, Hall, Martin, Mellor, Westerman

Interchanges: Hooley, Robb, Kibula, Vete

Referee: James Vella.