Super League match review: Catalan Dragons 46 London Broncos 4
Scoreboard
Catalan 46 (34)
Tries: Duport, Escare (3), Pomeroy, Millard (2), Taia
Goals: Bosc (7)
London 4 (0)
Tries: Dixon
Match Review
A first half hat-trick from Morgan Escare guided Catalan to an emphatic 46-4 victory over London at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.
Catalan had suffered a dip in form recently, but tries from Vincent Duport, Ben Pomeroy, Zeb Taia, a brace from Daryl Millard and Escare’s treble ensured the Dragons returned to winning ways and held down 7th spot in the table. Kieran Dixon responded with a consolation try for the Broncos.
Catalan hit the ground running immediately, with Vincent Duport powering his way over after 5 minutes, despite the best efforts of London fullback Nesiasi Mataitonga to stop him.
10 minutes later and the impressive Escare registered his first try of the game after Ben Pomeroy created the opportunity for the French international to go over. His 2nd try came soon after. Duport broke through the Broncos’ defence, drew in Mataitonga and then threw the inside pass to Escare to go over under the sticks.
London were despondent and Catalan capitalised to extend their advantage when Elliot Whitehead found Ben Pomeroy on the inside to go over for the Dragons’ fourth try.
With 5 minutes before half time, the French side refused to ease off as their control of the game saw them score twice further to go in to the break 34-0 up. Thomas Bosc’s kick in to the left corner was collected by an unchallenged Daryl Millard, and then in a repeat of his 2nd try, Escare collected the ball from Duport to go over for his hat-trick. It was the full backs 24th try of the campaign which moves him level with Tommy Makinson and Joel Monaghan as leading try scorer.
Half time offered some much needed respite for London, who fared better in the 2nd period. 15 minutes in to the half they were rewarded with a try after a looping pass out wide from Josh Drinkwater found Kieran Dixon who went in in the corner.
With 10 minutes to go, a high ball from Bosc was knocked backwards by Duport and collected by Zeb Taia who went over for the Dragons’ 7th try of the evening.
There was still time for one final try however, as Bosc and Escare combined to send Millard over for his 2nd try of the match and rub salt into the wounds of relegated London.
It was an important 2 points for Catalan who now seem certain to finish in the top 8. One more point from their final 2 games is needed, although should Wakefield and Hull KR drop points in the final rounds then their play-off spot is guaranteed.
