St Helens 12 – 14 Catalans

Tries from Tom Johnstone and Matt Ikuvalu, plus two conversions and a penalty from Adam Keighran noticed Catalans transfer 4 factors clear on the high of the Betfred Tremendous League with victory over third-placed St Helens within the Spherical 19 opener at Completely Depraved Stadium

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Highlights of the Tremendous League match between St Helens and Catalans Dragons

Catalans Dragons additional cemented their place on the high of the Betfred Tremendous League desk as they held out for a 14-12 win over St Helens at Completely Depraved Stadium on Thursday night.

A surprising length-of-the-field strive from Tom Johnstone and a penalty and conversion from Adam Keighran put Catalans forward within the third-versus-first conflict, however Mark Percival’s transformed rating ensured Saints trailed by simply two factors at half-time.

Matt Ikuvalu’s transformed strive 5 minutes into the second half in the end proved sufficient to seal the win as a valiant rearguard motion from the French facet prevented the hosts from finishing a comeback regardless of Lewis Dodd’s late rating which ensured a grandstand end.

The end result ensured the 2021 League Leaders’ Defend winners secured a primary win over St Helens at this floor for seven years, whereas the reigning champions have been left to rely the price of failed head damage assessments for key males James Roby and Mark Percival which rule them out of subsequent week’s Betfred Problem Cup semi-final in opposition to Leigh Leopards.

Story of the sport

Catalans’ efficiency made it all of the extra outstanding that they’d arrived on Merseyside smarting from final week’s shock dwelling loss to struggling Huddersfield Giants which had raised inevitable questions over their incapability to remain the course.

With Sam Tomkins reverting to full-back rather than the injured Arthur Mourgue, the guests set about erasing these doubts throughout a decent opening interval wherein they greater than matched their opponents for muscle and aptitude.

Saints, creeping up the desk after what has proved a sluggish marketing campaign by their very own excessive requirements, gave nothing away for the opening quarter of an hour till a excessive deal with on Paul Seguier gave centre Keighran the prospect to kick Catalans right into a two-point lead.

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Tom Johnstone ran the size of pitch in an excellent solo effort to get his twenty second strive for Catalans this season

Jack Welsby’s persistence on the different finish was rewarded with a repeat set contained in the Catalans’ 20, however a kick from Jonny Lomax was intercepted deep by Keighran, who despatched Johnstone cruising down the wing the place he crossed unchallenged for his twenty second strive of the season.

Roby’s exit summed up a irritating begin for the house facet however they have been doing little mistaken, and bustled their means again into the competition after they pressed by three consecutive penalties earlier than Percival latched onto Dodd’s kick to the touch down, earlier than additionally kicking the extras.

The French facet prolonged their lead 5 minutes after the break when Matt Ikuvalu squirmed over within the nook and Keighran’s touchline conversion stretched their benefit to 14-6.

Having been denied by Could, Hopoate lastly unlocked the Dragons defence with a intelligent ball inside to ship Dodd over with six minutes left.

Joey Lussick’s kick made it a two-point sport and Saints nearly snatched it on the hooter when Hopoate blazed down the proper however a expensive mix-up with Konrad Hurrell noticed the Tongan fling his ultimate cross into contact.

What they mentioned

Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara

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Steve McNamara felt a number of on-field selections went in opposition to his facet which put their defence underneath pointless strain however they managed to dig in to get the win over St Helens

“We have been in entrance right through the sport…however we needed to overcome some adversity there. A number of bits went in opposition to us, however we managed to seek out some spirit in there and win the sport underneath strain on the finish.

“It may have gone both means, however it was a really semi-final-style sport.”

St Helens head coach Paul Wellens

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Paul Wellens mentioned there’s not lots between St Helens and Catalans and was pleased with his crew regardless of their loss

“I am actually pleased with the crew and their efforts. It was a red-hot sport between two sides the place there wasn’t a lot between them.

“There are extra video games down the observe and alternatives to select up factors. We’re by no means joyful once we lose a sport – these are the requirements we set ourselves – so naturally we’re disenchanted, however not when it comes to the very fact we went down combating.”

Participant of the match Michael McIlorum

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Participant of the match Michael McIlorum says Catalans have to hold grinding out outcomes after defeating a tricky St Helens facet

“It was robust and what we anticipated. They’ve gained 4 titles in a row so coming right here is all the time robust.

“We wanted begin…however we felt like we may get by the center and we did ultimately.”

What’s subsequent?

St Helens are in Betfred Problem Cup semi-final motion subsequent Saturday after they tackle Leigh Leopards on the impartial venue of the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Catalans Dragons‘ subsequent sport is in Tremendous League Spherical 20 after they host Salford Crimson Devils on Saturday July 29.