Catalans Dragons 11 - 0 Leeds Rhinos
Catalans season is off and running
They secured their first Super League victory of the season with a scrappy 11-0 win over a mistake-ridden Leeds Rhinos at Stade Gilbert Brutus.
In a rain-soaked first half dominated by errors, penalties, and unsuccessful captain’s challenges, the only points came courtesy of Luke Keary’s drop goal on the stroke of half-time.
The deadlock was finally broken early in the second half when Reimis Smith crossed the line, finishing off a move that started with a powerful break from Chris Satae. Theo Fages then floated a cross-field kick into Smith’s path, allowing the Australian to grab his second try of the night.
For Leeds, the defeat extends their miserable away record in southern France, with Brad Arthur’s side failing to score in Perpignan for the third consecutive year.
A first half to forget
With both sides struggling to unlock each other’s defence, much of the first half’s action revolved around referee Aaron Moore.
A mounting error count led to repeated penalties, with Moore twice ruling against unsuccessful captain’s challenges before eventually reaching for his pocket.
Catalans’ Romain Navarette was the first to see yellow after a dangerous hip-drop tackle on Leeds hooker Andy Ackers. The visitors failed to make their numerical advantage count, and soon after, Jake Connor was sent to the bin for a dangerous tackle of his own.
Leeds had the best chance of the half just before the break when James McDonnell’s kick ahead was collected by Matt Frawley, who dotted down as two Catalans defenders hesitated. But after a video review, the try was chalked off for offside.
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Moments later, Keary stepped up to land a well-judged drop goal, giving the Dragons a slender and barely deserved lead at the interval.
How the game changed
The game was crying out for a try, and Catalans duly delivered just after the restart.
Satae capitalised on a slip from James Bentley to surge into Leeds’ half. The Rhinos initially regained possession, but Harry Newman lost the ball in contact, allowing Smith to pounce and muscle his way over the line despite pressure from multiple defenders.
The Dragons almost doubled their lead minutes later when Tariq Sims’ powerful break put them in a promising position. Keary’s pinpoint cross-field kick looked destined for Tommy Makinson, but Riley Lumb just about got there first to prevent a near-certain score.
Leeds struggled to find any attacking rhythm, squandering repeat sets deep in Catalans territory. Their best opening came in the final quarter, but a diving Ethan Clark-Wood spilled the ball just as they looked set to capitalise.
The Rhinos were punished soon after. On the last tackle, Fages hoisted a kick to the corner, sparking an aerial contest between three players. Clark-Wood attempted to gather but only succeeded in knocking the ball backwards towards his own tryline, allowing Smith to react quickest and touch down for his second of the night.
As the game stretched in the dying minutes, Catalans nearly added a third. Nick Cotric collected a speculative kick to the corner and looked set to send Sims over, only for his pass to drift agonisingly forward with the tryline begging.
The win lifts Catalans to ninth in the table, while Leeds remain sixth.
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