Catalans Edge Out Leigh To Go Back To Winning Ways
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Leigh (6) 16
Tries: Niu 2, Senior Goals: Cook 2
(6) 22
Tries: Wilson, Staines, Dodd Goals: Sexton 5
Catalans Dragons returned to winning methods following back-to-back Super League defeats with a narrow triumph at Leigh Leopards.
Tries from Harvey Wilson, Charlie Staines and Lewis Dodd breathed brand-new fire into the Dragons following frustrating beats by St Helens and Bradford Bulls in their previous 2 matches.
Tesi Niu scored two great shots for Leigh, either side of winger Innes Senior's score, but it showed to be fruitless for the hosts.
Leigh have now lost three Super League matches in a row and will require to see an enhancement in performances if they are to be in the play-off shake-up again this year.
The visitors' preparation for the match was hit when a mechanical fault on their aircraft from Perpignan forced them to make an emergency landing in Bordeaux, suggesting their journey to Greater Manchester took 16 hours to complete.
And they were dealt a more blow before kick-off when winger Tommy Makinson picked up an injury in the warm-up and had to be changed in the beginning line-up by Leo Darrelatour.
In the 8th minute, Leigh took benefit when exceptional hands from Lachlan Lam permitted stand-in full-back Gareth O'Brien to discover Senior, who raced clear before establishing Niu to move in for a superb group try. Adam Cook added the bonus fantastically from the touchline.
Lam was then adjudged to have obstructed off Nick Cotric's attempts to challenge for a high ball, and after Catalans were granted another set of six deep in Leigh territory, Wilson discussed determinedly for his very first Super League shot of the season under the sticks.
Catalans then went near taking the lead before the break but Darrelatour was pressed into touch when trying to score in the left corner.
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Moments after the restart, Toby Sexton kicked Catalans into a small benefit in front of the sticks after Liam Horne was condemned of a ball take.
A gorgeous offload from Wigan Warriors loanee Kruise Leeming - one of 11 new finalizings from last season in Catalans' matchday team - allowed Sexton to charge forward before he found Staines, who finished a remarkable move from close variety.
Catalans' two-score lead lasted less than 5 minutes though as O'Brien found Niu and he passed to winger Senior, who dived over in the left corner unopposed.
A no-look pass from Lam then went loose and was struck upon by Darrelatour. He raced 80 yards and smartly recycled the ball before Sexton found fellow half-back Dodd for a crucial 3rd shot for the away side.
With 15 minutes left, Niu managed the minute of the match, picking the ball up deep in his own half, avoiding a challenge from Cotric, before deceiving Staines with excellent footwork to dive over for a wonderful specific rating.
In the dying minutes, Leigh piled on the pressure in their mission to find a winning score, however exceptional protecting from the Dragons offed their attempts, and the visitors put the seal on the win through Sexton's 5th successful kick shortly before the hooter sounded.
'We did not have club's DNA' - reaction
"Frustrating once again tonight. We had a lot of chances again to win that game but it simply felt like it was never ever really in our favour the whole time.
"There were turning points like the intercept try. [If] we nail the skill there, we score the try and we most likely win the game - that was most likely the most discouraging part.
"It's [been] a difficult night. There was plenty of effort however we lacked the game-sense. It's difficult to watch sometimes and we're having a hard time to put together 2 to 3 sets of attacks.
"We only had 19 [players] to select from but that's not an excuse. We did not have the DNA people as a club.
"We could not score points when we required them most which's what we did truly well last year so we're a long method behind our best at the minute".
Catalans Dragons head coach Joel Tomkins informed Sky Sports:
"I'm actually, really proud of the kids. They had a little a problem journey yesterday. The scramble, the desire and just the work for each other, they never provided in, and I thought we got what we should have tonight.
"We have actually got a couple of injuries at the minute, but what we have actually got is a group of lads who want to strive.
"We might not be the most experienced group, however they're going to be available in and they're going to strive for each other. On the back of that, they'll get outcomes.
"In the week, we had some sincere discussions, and it's going to be a long season for us if we turn out efficiencies like we did last week. If we end up performances like we did this evening, then it'll be a really enjoyable one."
[On his side's journey to Leigh:] "Obviously, its not perfect preparation however we never ever have perfect preparation - we average eight to 10 hours [of] travel [for away fixtures]
"That becomes part of playing for Catalans. It's a special group to be a part of - living in the south of France and playing in the English Super League.
"We do not whinge about it, we utilize it as a connection piece for the group. We may do some connecting flights for a few more away games if we show up like that."
Leigh: O'Brien; Senior, Niu, Brand, Charnley; Cook, Lam; Trout, McNamara, Mulhern, Halton, Alick-Wiencke, Liu.
Interchanges: Hughes, Brown, Badrock, Horne.
Catalans: Staines; Darrelatour, Cotric, Faataape, Laulu-Togaga'e; Sexton, Dodd; Allen, Da Costa, Navarrete, Laguerre, Lipowicz, Wilson.
Interchanges: Satae, Condon, Leeming, Chan.