Rugby League: Leigh Leopards 34 - 6 Catalans Dragons
Leigh stay unbeaten as Catalans struggle with errors and missed chances
Umyla Hanley’s hat-trick fired Leigh Leopards to a commanding victory over a misfiring Catalans Dragons, extending their perfect start to the Super League season.
While Catalans dominated possession, they failed to turn pressure into points, whereas Leigh were clinical, storming into a 16-0 lead by half-time. Hanley, Keanan Brand, and Jack Hughes all crossed before the break.
Hanley added his second soon after the restart, with Ethan O’Neill also going over for his first Leigh try as the Dragons’ error count mounted.
Alrix da Costa finally got the visitors on the board, but Hanley completed his hat-trick to seal an emphatic win.
The victory moves Leigh up to second, level on points with leaders Hull KR, while Catalans sit 11th, still without a point after an error-strewn display.
Leigh’s ruthlessness punishes wasteful Catalans
Catalans thought they had an early breakthrough when Reimis Smith went over, but video referee James Vella ruled it out, and that was as good as it got for the French side in a disastrous first half.
Hanley had a try disallowed at the other end, but moments later, he claimed his first of the season with some clever footwork, finishing after Tesi Niu’s powerful break had opened up the defence.
Just as in last week’s defeat to Warrington, Catalans saw plenty of the ball but lacked a cutting edge. Their frustration deepened as Leigh ruthlessly capitalised on mistakes, scoring twice before the half-hour mark.
Luke Keary’s misplaced pass was snapped up by Owen Trout, who sent Brand racing 70 metres to score. Soon after, Catalans captain Ben Garcia—making his 250th appearance—was held up over the line. Within seconds, Leigh struck again.
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Debutant AJ Towse, standing in for the unwell David Armstrong, made a blistering 30-metre break from behind his own in-goal area. Hughes finished the move off, collecting his second assist from Lachlan Lam.
Catalans’ frustrations boiled over before half-time when Jordan Dezaria was sin-binned for a cynical obstruction during a Leigh restart.
Hanley’s footwork unlocked the Catalans defence again after the break, waltzing through slack tackles for his second try. As Catalans continued to squander possession, O’Neill dived over from close range after Gareth O’Brien’s charging run was halted just short.
At 28-0, Catalans finally avoided a whitewash when Da Costa darted over from dummy half. But there was no way back, and Hanley capped off a superb night with a stunning finish from 30 metres out following a slick attacking move.
Leigh’s momentum builds as they continue their flying start, while Catalans are left searching for answers after another frustrating night.
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