CATALAN SEE OFF BATTLINGย SAINTS
Catalan Dragons made it 6 straight wins at home, with a 33-16 victory over the struggling St. Helens. This victory helped the Dragons go joint 2nd in the league with Wigan Warriors, just 2 points off league leaders, Hull FC. The scoreline flattered the Dragons in the end, after what was a real difficult game down at the south of France.
Saints where the best side in the first half, despite losing it 13-6. It was a strange game, in where Saints dominated the majority of possession but had nothing to show for it. Catalan scored a couple of tries near the end of the half along with a drop goal to edge ahead in a game they’d been out of for the majority.
Saints fans can be proud of the effort that their lads gave in that opening half, as they stepped up their attack and defence in particular to really pushย the Dragons to the limit. Not many teams can overpower the dragons, however the forwards of Saints did a job on the Dragons, winning the battle down the middle early on.
DIFFERENT STORY IN THE 2ND HALF
Saints started the second half strong, scoring early on through Adam Swift to make it a close game again. You sensed Saints taking control of the game at this point and Catalans seemed to be struggling. However, that was soon to be proved as well wide of the mark.
Catalans grew into the game and started to overpower a fatigued Saints defensive line. They scored 3 tries in 10 minutes and raced into a 29-10 lead, and all but secured the win, in what was a blistering spell for the Dragons.
There was a further try for Catalan through Gigot late on, which was replied to by a McDonnell consolation try for Saints near the final hooter. It was another frustrating match for Saints, one, when they look back on, will kick themselves for not making more of it.
IS SAINTS’ SEASON OVER WITH
As Round 18 comes to a close, Saints find themselves in 5th place, 6 points away from the top 4. With some tough games to come and the red and whites already out of the Challenge Cup, you have to wonder if their season is already over with.
It’s been a poor season for St. Helens, one in which they haven’t shown their true potential, by succoming to some poorย results. Fans are clearly not happy, some of which are calling for the sackingย of their coach, Kieron Cunningham.
Having already lost 9 games this season, with just 5 games to go until the Super 8’s begin. You feel they’ll have to win all 5 games to go into the Super 8’s inย great form and push on to try and earn a chance to get to Old Trafford in October. However,ย that seems a long way away for the Saints faithful.
VIEW OF THE MANAGERS
Catalan Dragons coach, Laurent Frayssinous seemed happy with the win and talked about the importance of consistency. Frayssinous said:
“I’m very pleased with the two points. I’ve said it a lot this year but I’m not interested in the ladder [league table], if we keep improving every week, then we will keep winning games. That is our objective for the season.”
“Lucas Albert is playing very well. There is still a lot of improvement in his game but if he keeps improving like he is doing then we have a very special player.”
“Todd Carney settled us down out there late in the game. His game management is outstanding and you could see that out there. I was very pleased with our halves.”
St. Helens assistant coach, Jamahl Lolesi talked about how injuries aren’t helping their side at the minute. Lolesi said:
“We’re doing a bit tough at the moment. We’re missing a few key players and the players are down on confidence a little.
“We’re missing our half-back and he is a big loss for us so we’re having to reshuffle our team.” He added:ย “Losing Theo Fages at half-time [to a knee injury] didn’t help us – that is why Keiron Cunningham isn’t here at the moment. He’s with Theo.”
“We also lost Jonny Lomax before the game as he suffered a tight adductor and that really hurt our attack. It’s just not happening for us at the moment.”
IN THE SHEDS
There where no incidents put on report by the referee. There where no incidents that may be looked upon by the RFL in the coming days.
St. Helens’ Jonny Lomax withdrew from the game in the warmup due to a tight adductor. Also, Saints lost Theo Fages at halftime due to a knee injury.
There where no injuries to report for Catalan Dragons.
FINAL SCORE – MATCH DETAILS
Catalan Dragons: (13) 33
Tries: Yaha, Albert, Broughton 2, Escare, Gigot
Goals: Richards 2/5 Bosc 2/3
Drop-goal: Carney
St. Helens: (6) 16
Tries: McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Swift, McDonnell
Goals: Owens 2/3
Catalans Dragons: Escare, Broughton, Gigot, Richards, Yaha, Carney, Albert, Taylor, Pelissier, Casty, Stewart, Horo, Baitieri.
Replacements: Bousquet, Bosc, Maria, Navarrete.
St. Helens: Lomax, Owens, Dawson, Percival, Swift, Fages, Turner, Tasi, Roby, Amor, Greenwood, Wilkin, McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
Replacements: Walmsley, Vea, Thompson, Knowles.
Referee: Chris Campbell
Attendance: 10,789
Venue:ย Estadi Olรญmpic Lluรญs Companys, Stade Gilbert Brutus
Date/Time:ย Saturday 11th June 2016 – 17:00pm GMT
