Catalans Win See-Saw Clash

Catalan Dragons 45

Tries: Wilson, Greenshields (3), Elima, Mogg, Raguin
Goals: Bosc (8)
Drop Goal: Mogg

Wigan Warriors 38

Tries: Richards, Tomkins, Carmont, Coley, Paleaaesina, Phelps
Goals: Richards (7)

Wigan suffered defeat in France on Saturday night as a see-saw game eventually saw the Catalan Dragons run out 45-38 victors in Perpignan.

The Warriors were making their first of two trips to Perpignan looking to avenge last minute heartbreak at the JJB Stadium in April when the Dragons scored a last minute Dane Carlaw try to steal a 26-24 victory, and it again proved to be a close match but despite a great effort the Dragons pace and finishing proved to be the difference.

Wigan handed a debut to new Australian signing Cameron Phelps who looked sharp in the right centre while Phil Bailey and Gareth Hock shook off knocks to form a back row partnership which lasted just 2 minutes before Hock was taken from the field, however he did return for the last 10 minutes. The hard pitch also took its toll on the Dragons as former Wigan prop forward Jerome Guisset hobbled off the pitch just two minutes later.

The Warriors, again roared on by a huge traveling support, opened the scoring on 5 minutes when Barrett’s pass to Carmont missed out 2 men with the centre showing quick hands to feed Richards who slid over to score in the left hand corner; the try awarded after confirmation from the video referee. Richards added the touchline conversion to make it 0-6.

However the lead didn’t last long as the kick off was allowed to bounce into touch and from the scrum Mogg fed Wilson who hit the gap to score under the posts. Bosc added the extras to even the score at 6-6.

Bosc gave the Dragons the lead on 15 minutes when he kicked a penalty, awarded for offside, making it 8-6 but the Warriors regained the lead after 21 minutes when a neat Barrett pass found Joel Tomkins who hit the line hard and reached over to score 10 meters to the left of the posts. Richards added the extras to make it 8-12.

A see-saw game saw Catalans score next; a sensational Bosc offload under pressure from 3 Warriors tacklers found Greenshields who simply had to ground the ball over the line. Bosc’s kick made it 14-12 on 25 minutes.

Again the Warriors responded and again Barrett was instrumental. This time a bullet crossfield kick was caught in midair by Richards and passed back inside to Carmont who walked over unopposed. Richards kicked the conversion to put Wigan in front 14-18 with just 4 minutes to go in the first half and that is how is stayed until the half time hooter sounded.

The video referee was again called into action on the 44th minute after Elima crashed over the line from close range but appeared to be held up; this coming after a 40 meter Wilson break with Mathers hauling the centre down just short of the line. The video referee deemed the ball was grounded and with Bosc’s kick it took Catalans back into a 20-18 lead.

Richards leveled the game on 51 minutes with a penalty kick in front of the posts but the video referee awarded the Dragons another try on 57 minutes when Mogg eluded a number of tackles on the fifth tackle to score under the posts after a prolonged period of heroic Warriors defence. The Bosc conversion made the score 26-20 and within a minute Greenshields finished a 50 meter McGuire break to score under the posts for back-to-back tries. Bosc was again faultless with the kick and made the score 32-20.

Wigan rallied and with Barrett the instigator they threw the ball around, first left, then right, and as Paleaaesina collected and drew the defence his quick hands to Leuluai and then Coley saw the prop score to the left of the posts. Richards added the extra 2-points to make it 32-26.

But just moments later a Paleaaesina offload was this time intercepted just 30 meters out by Raguin who raced under the posts to score for the Dragons on 66 minutes. Bosc’s conversion made it 38-26.

The game was effectively wrapped up for the French side on 69 minutes as Clint Greenshields hit a gap in the Warriors left side defence to score his hat trick try under the posts. Bosc again kicking the ‘2’ to make it 44-28.

Paleaaesina made up for his earlier mistake with a try on 73 minutes, which Richards kicked to make it 44-32, before Mogg kicked a drop goal. And it was new-boy Cameron Phelps who scored the last points of the day with a well-taken try in the right corner with only moments remaining. Richards kicked the touchline conversion and it finished 45-38.

Catalans Dragons: Clint Greenshields, Cyril Stacul, John Wilson, Sebastien Raguin, Dimitri Pelo, Adam Mogg, Thomas Bosc, Jerome Guisset, Casey McGuire, Alex Chan, Jason Croker, Gregory Mounis, Dane Carlaw
Subs: Vincent Duport, Jamal Fakir, Olivier Elima, Remi Casty

Wigan Warriors Richard Mathers, Liam Colbon, George Carmont, Cameron Phelps, Pat Richards, Trent Barrett, Thomas Leuluai, Stuart Fielden, Michael McIlorum, Andy Coley, Phil Bailey, Harrison Hansen, Gareth Hock
Subs: Mickey Higham, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Paul Prescott, Joel Tomkins

Referee: Ian Smith

Attendance: 9,125