Catalans Dragons clinched a tense Super League encounter against St Helens in Perpignan, earning a top spot thanks to Matt Ikuvalu’s crucial second-half try.
At halftime, Saints led with tries from Jack Welsby and Tommy Makinson, sandwiching Mike McMeeken’s effort for Catalans.
In a fiercely contested match dominated by defense, injuries to Jordan Abdull and Tom Johnstone for Catalans, and Daryl Clark for Saints added to the intensity.
Welsby’s try exploited a lapse in Catalans’ defense, while McMeeken’s display of power leveled the score before Makinson’s try gave Saints the lead at halftime.
The second half remained a brutal battle, with Lewis Dodd denied a try by a stellar Mourgue tackle. In contrast, Ikuvalu’s try, amid Saints’ objections, proved decisive after review.
Despite Saints’ resilience, Catalans held on, securing a vital victory and top spot in the league standings.
Catalans Lineup: Mourgue, Davies, Ikuvalu, Romano, Johnstone, Abdull, Fages, McMeeken, Da Costa, Navarrete, Sims, Seguier, Garcia.
St Helens Lineup: Welsby, Makinson, Hurrell, Mata’utia, Bennison, Lomax, Dodd, Walmsley, Clark, Delaney, Sironen, Whitley, Knowles.
Credit: BBC.com
