Catalans came back from 18-11 down to beat Hull FC 23-18 at the Stade Gilbert Brutus. A scrappy game with an incredibly high penalty count saw Liam Watts get sent off for a high shot.
CATALANS OFF TO A GREAT START
Catalans started off the game the brighter of the two teams. A gap in the Hull defence saw Sam Moa bust through to score in the 6th minute.
Both sides looked to be feeling the heat and fatigue as they started their second game in four days.
HULL START TO MAKE A MOVE
Hull came back at the Dragons with Albert Kelly crossing the line in the 17th minute to make it 6-6.
Walsh added a penalty kick in the 23rd minute to put Catalans ahead 8-6. He added a drop goal just before half-time so Catalans led 9-6 at the half-time break.
Hull looked like the better side up to the hooterย with more energy and ideas on the pitch. The Dragons looked very tired and were desperate to get into the sheds for the break.
HULL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CATALANS ILL-DISCIPLINE
A Rawsthorne brace after the half-time break looked like Hull might walk away with the victory. They took advantage of Catalans sloppy tackling and the sheer number of penalties they gave away. At 18-11 up, it looked like the Black and Whites might have won the game.
THE DRAGONSย FIGHT BACK
When it looked like Hull had the two points in the bag, Catalans seemed to find an extra source of energy from somewhere. Tries from Yaha and Gigot sealed the victory for the Dragons.
Things went from bad to worse for Hull as Liam Watts was sent off for a high tackle. He may be facing a ban as his discipline record is not that great.
Hull then came on the attack in the last two minutes but a superb try-saving tackle on Albert Kelly from Greg Bird meant that the Dragons took the two points and the victory for the game.
FINAL SCORE
Catalans (9) 23
Tries: Moa, Yaha, Gigot
Goals: Walsh 5
Drop goal: Walsh
Hull FC (6) 18
Tries: Kelly, Rawsthorne 2
Goals: Connor 3
MATCH DETAILS
Catalans: Gigot; Duport, Romano, Thornley, Yaha; Walsh, Myler; Moa, Aiton, Casty, Dezaria, Bird, Bousquet.
Replacements: Simon, Da Costa, Seguier, Perez.
Hull: Shaul; Rawsthorne, Tuimavave, Griffin, Michaels; Connor, Kelly; Bowden, Houghton, Watts, Manu, Minichiello, Washbrook.
Replacements: Downs, Fash, Turgut, Green.
Referee: James Child
Attendance:ย 8,439
Venue: Stade Gilbert Brutus
Date/Time: Monday 29th May 2017, 7pm
