Match Report – Catalans 18 – 30 Huddersfield

Giants declare uncommon victory in France, coming from 18-0 behind in Perpignan to win 30-18; Dragons tries from Matt Whitley (two) and Mathieu Laguerre obtained Catalans off to a flyer, earlier than Giants scored by way of Josh Jones, Louis Senior, Jack Cogger, Oliver Ashall-Bott and Matty English

Catalans Dragons created historical past by selecting up the League Leaders’ Protect in Perpignan however Huddersfield spoiled the get together with a second-half comeback to report a uncommon 30-18 Tremendous League win in opposition to the Dragons.

On an evening of excessive emotion at Stade Gilbert Brutus, Dragons coach Steve McNamara allowed a number of younger French gamers their likelihood to shine, Arthur Mourgue changing Sam Tomkins at full-back and Cesar Rouge in for Michael McIlorum at hooker.

And it was the Dragons who obtained the primary attempt. A 60-metre dash from Mathieu Laguerre and Romain Franco was switched to the left by a James Maloney kick and Matt Whitley collected to cross. Maloney’s conversion made it 6-0 after quarter-hour.

Three minutes later Laguerre collected a Josh Drinkwater high-kick and shook off Jake Wardle to floor the ball over the road within the left nook, Maloney once more on course with the conversion.

Then Maloney launched a towering kick to the fitting nook the place winger Tom Davies tapped the ball again to Whitley for his second attempt, Maloney including his third conversion to make it 18-0.

Huddersfield hit again with a blistering run from Josh Jones, whose move to Oliver Russell got here straight again with a kick over the road for Jones to pounce and rating. Russell added the conversion to maintain the Giants within the contest.

The Giants then compelled Davies into contact 5 metres from his personal line however full-back Olly Ashall-Bott fumbled on assault, letting the Dragons off the hook.

However Russell was on course together with his subsequent kick to the road, winger Louis Senior collected, grounded and the Giants’ half-back was correct together with his conversion to make it 18-12 simply earlier than half-time.

Russell was on the coronary heart of early stress from the Giants within the second half and it took 10 minutes earlier than Jack Cogger crossed, with Russell levelling the scores together with his conversion.

Ashall-Bott struck one other attempt straight from the kick-off with a mesmerising 45-metre sprint, shrugging off 4 defenders, with Russell once more on course to silence the French crowd, placing Huddersfield forward for the primary time within the sport at 18-24.

The killer blow was struck 10 minutes from the top when prop Matty English compelled his approach between the posts for a attempt, giving Russell a simple shot at purpose and placing the Giants 12 factors in entrance, and Huddersfield have been full worth for the victory.

The defeat couldn’t take the gloss off emotional scenes which adopted the ultimate hooter as supporters cheered the primary ever Tremendous League table-topping trophy for a French facet.

The supporters and squad now look ahead to their subsequent match on the Brutus, a semi-final which might see the Dragons take an much more historic step ahead with a possible victory and look in a Grand Closing.

League Leaders’ Protect raise & Response