SAINTS 19s remain unbeaten in the Academy Championship after a superb 42-22 win over in Catalans.
The Dragons, who also haven’t lost a game this season, opened the scoring in the second minute through Frank Maria but Mike Weldon replied in the 16th after a period of domination from the visitors.
Both sides then produced some strong defence until Aaron Smith was sinbinned on 25 minutes.
But down to 12 men, Saints hit the front following a well worked short side play.
Jonah Cunningham got it away to Jake Spedding, who found Regan Grace who simply turned it back inside for his centre to cross.
But Khedimi hit back for the Dragons on 34 minutes – goaled by Mickalezyk – to leave it all tied up at half time.
Saints made the crucial breakthrough in the second half with two tries in three minutes to seemingly put them in control.
First, Levy Nzoungou went over and then Ricky Bailey continued his good 19s’ form with another try.
Billsborough converted both to give Saints a 12 point lead – but back came Catalans with two of their own through Romano and Maria.
Crucially, Mickalezyk missed one of the conversions though to give the visitors a slender two point advantage.
Saints then grabbed complete control.
Spedding notched his second on 66 minutes before Matty Costello went over.
And Speds duly completed his treble as the game entered its final stages.
Match Summary:
Dragons:
Tries: Maria (2 & 62), Khedimi (34), Romano (54)
Goals: Mickalezyk (3 from 4)
Saints:
Tries: Weldon (16), Spedding (27, 66 & 76), Nzoungou (50), Bailey (53), Costello (71)
Goals: Billsborough (7 from 7)
HT: 12-12
FT: 42-22
Teams:
Dragons:
F.Flovie; J.Flovie, Izard, Romano, Gambaro; Pallarès, Franck; Belmas, Da Costa, Dezaria, Maria, Mickalezyk, Khedimi.
Subs: Tovena, Séguier, V.Albert, Nietche-Coronès.
Saints:
Bailey; Eccleston, Spedding, Costello, Grace; Billsborough, Fairclough; Nzoungou, Smith, Olmez, Cooper, Morris, Weldon.
Subs: Cunningham, Hazard, Eckley, Follin.
