CATALANS handed Saints a 30-12 defeat at Langtree Park on Thursday.
Two tries in five second half minutes did the damage after Keiron Cunningham’s side fought back from 10-0 down.
Scores from Theo Fages and Luke Walsh had made it a two-point game at half time.
But Catalan turned the screw and secured the win.
After a tight opening five minutes, a Saints error handed the Dragons prime position right on the try line.
And they took full advantage, Jodie Broughton darting over courtesy of a scrappy pass.
Fages and Jon Wilkin each attempted kick-throughs at around the 10 minute mark, but Broughton profited following from a penalty to go over in the corner once again.
Jordan Turner almost went down the left hand side for an immediate reply and then Saints couldn’t make the best of a Jake Spedding break.
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and James Roby went close moments later too – and forced a drop out – before the Saints finally got on the board.
A fantastic run from the returning Lama Tasi gave the home side great field position before Turner, on the left hand side, turned it back inside for Fages to plunge over.
Saints were on top but a loose pass in their own 40 metre area handed the impetus back to the visitors.
They snaffled up the loose ball and after a strong run, Broughton crossed for his hat-trick.
Saints hit back almost immediately.
A bullocking run down the middle from Alex Walmsley got Saints within 20 metres – and on the last Walsh took the line on, chipped over and collected to go under the sticks.
Pure magic from the half back maestro.
Saints had a nightmare start to the second half as Catalans crossed twice in just five minutes.
Richie Myler opened scoring as he latched on to Glenn Stewart’s half break on just 45 minutes.
And moments later Pat Richards put the Dragons in command after he finished off a break down the left hand side.
Saints won back to back drop outs on 53 minutes – but they couldn’t find a way over the line
Theo Fages went close for his second of the evening, but Broughton crossed for his fourth with 15 to go.
Richards then added a penalty to seal the win.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Fages, Walsh
Goals: Walsh (2 from 2)
Dragons:
Tries: Broughton (4), Myler, Richards
Goals: Richards (3 from 7)
Penalties:
Saints: 6
Dragons: 4
HT: 12-14
FT: 12-30
REF: Robert Hicks
ATT: 9362
Teams:
Saints:
23. Shannon McDonnell; 22. Jack Owens, 3. Jordan Turner, 21. Matty Dawson, 33. Jake Spedding; 19. Theo Fages, 7. Luke Walsh; 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 16. Andre Savelio, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 27. Jack Ashworth, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 10. Kyle Amor, 14. Lama Tasi, 15. Greg Richards, 28. Morgan Knowles.
Dragons:
1. Tony Gigot; 2. Jodie Broughton, 3. Krisnan Inu, 4. Vincent Duport, 5. Pat Richards; 6. Todd Carney, 7. Richie Myler; 14. Dave Taylor, 28. Alrix Da Costa, 15. Julian Bousquet, 11. Glenn Stewart, 8. Louis Anderson, 13. Jason Baitieri.
Subs: 10. Rémi Casty, 12. Justin Horo, 17. Gregory Mounis, 18. Thomas Bosc.
