Sam Tomkins was back for the Catalans Dragons as they looked
to reverse their fortunes and end a six-game losing streak that started back on
the 3rd May when they lost narrowly to today’s opponents, the Leigh
Leopards.
The visitors were favourites to secure the two points that
they needed to take them above the Leeds Rhinos and into third spot with the
Dragons given an eight-point start on the handicap coupon.
This round fifteen fixture was the third meeting of the season
between the two sides, Leigh having taken the win in both previous games
between the two sides but the temperature, thirty-four degrees at kick off, could
be in the home sides favour.
The Dragons were awarded a penalty on six minutes for a
shepherd as Leigh attempted to diffuse a bomb. Tommy Makinson was the man obstructed,
and he accepted the opportunity to kick a penalty but pushed the ball wide of
the uprights.
As the sides broke to take on water after twenty minutes
there was nothing in the game, defences on top, with neither side really
threatening the other line.
Bang on thirty minutes the Leopards opened the scoring with David
Armstrong feeding Tesi Niu to outpace the cover defence and dive over in the
left corner. Gareth O’Brien added the conversion from the touchline for a 6-0 lead.
Four minutes later the Leopards added their second with a left
to right move finding Keenan Brand in the right place to take the final pass
and outpace his tackler to leap and score by the corner flag. O’Brien again
converted from the touchline, the visitors twelve clear.
Two minutes before the interval the home side got right back
in the game Tevita Pangai Jr bouncing off three attempted tackles to drop over
the line to the cheers and relief of the home side. Makinson added the extra
two and the arrears were back down to six points.
A brilliant break down the centre field from returning
talisman Sam Tomkins saw the full back find Makinson in support to take a
looping pass ten out from the line and sprint into the corner for the try. Makinson
added the conversion from the touchline to level the scores.
When referee Rush awarded the Dragons a penalty for an
offside, Makinson hit the post when he really should have added the two points.
The second drinks break saw the sides locked up, all still
to play for, the game still anyone’s.
Pandai Jr was sin-binned on sixty-five for a late tackle to
the head, bizarrely following a Dragons captains challenge of a late tackle
decision given by the referee. Leigh pointed at the sticks but O’Brien hit the
post from forty-five metres, Leigh first to react with Lachlan La collecting
the rebound.
On the last tackle Joe Ofahengaue crashed over the line and
dropped to the ground to regain the lead for the Leopards. O’Brien added the
conversion for a six-point advantage.
On seventy-two David Armstrong ran sixty metres and skinned
Sam Tomkins to score with ease in the left had corner to seal the victory for
the Leopards and condemn the Dragons to a seventh straight loss.
O’Brien missed
his first kick of the afternoon but was allowed to retake the kick after
Catalans were penalised for attempting to put off the kicker. On his second opportunity
he hit the target.
O'Brien added a late penalty after the final hooter for a fourteen point win.
It was mission accomplished for Leigh, the two points in the
bag allowing them to jump ahead of the Leeds Rhinos on the league ladder and
into third place and within three points of the Wigan Warriors. The woes for
the Dragons continue and they still languish in ninth place, six points from
the play-off positions.
Catalans Dragons: Tomkins, Makinson (T, G 2/4), Laguerre, Darrélatour,
Cortic, Keary, Rougé, Satae, Da Costa, Maria, Romano, Séguier, Partington. Subs:
Pangai Jr (T, SB on 65), Bousquet, Sironen, Dezaria. 18th Man: Aispuro-Bichet.
Leigh Leopards: Armstrong (T), McIntosh, Niu (T), Hanley,
Brand (T), O’Brien (G 5/5), Lam, Ofahengaue (T), Ipape, Mulhern, Trout, Halton,
Liu. Subs: O’Neill, McNamara, Tuitavake, Davis. 18th Man: Hodgson.
Half-Time: 6-12.
Full-Time: 12-26.
Score Progression: 0-4, 0-6, 0-10, 0-12, 4-12, 6-12 : HT: 10-12,
12-12, (SB), 12-16, 12-18, 12-22, 12-24, 12-26 :FT.
Lead Exchanges: Leigh – Square - Leigh.
Referee: Liam Rush.
