SAINTS produced a tremendous performance to grab a 28-24 win over Catalans – their first in Perpignan since 2013.
Theo Fages was at the hub, creating a number of tries including a wonderful offload for Jack Owen’s crucial game winner.
But this was a 1-17 effort which handed Keiron Cunningham’s men their second victory of the campaign and saw them climb into the top eight.
And, it could have been more comfortable if two seemingly good tries hadn’t been chalked off.
Saints got off to the best possible start when Adam Swift scored in the corner on their first attacking set.
Morgan Knowles was hit high in centre field and from the penalty Jon Wilkin combined with Fages and Mark Percival to put the winger in after just three minutes.
But the joy was short-lived as Thomas Bosc found a gap in the defence less than a minute later.
Luke Walsh levelled with the boot yet within a blink of the eye Saints were back in front.
Two sets in Catalans’ territory laid the platform before Fages linked up with Makinson for Percival to cross in the corner.
But the Dragons came right back and on their next set Walsh found Bousquet on a nice line.
That put the Catalans ahead 12-10 after a quarter of an hour – but the scoring didn’t stop as Saints came right back into it through Ryan Morgan.
He started the move following a tap restart and some great handling saw the ball coming right for the centre to polish it off.
And Saints looked to have scored on the 20 minute mark when Morgan broke through again.
He found Makinson on his shoulder but the full back was hauled down 20 metres out.
Saints then moved the ball to the left and Swift put down in the corner.
But it was harshly denied by the video referee for a foot in touch that no one else saw.
On the half hour mark Richie Myler had one chalked off for obstruction as he went under the posts … and then Saints went up the other end of the field and scored.
A lovely Percival break set this one up and once it came back to the the posts, Roby found Walker who put down under pressure.
Saints were good value for their lead but Catalans wouldn’t go away and hit back through Iain Thornley to make it a four point game five minutes before the break.
Saints possibly could have closed out a frantic half with another score but a kick through was collected and returned with interest by Thornley.
And he would have drawn the hosts level but Makinson made an all important shove to put the man in touch.
Catalan dominated the early stages of the second half and after having one disallowed for a forward pass Paul Aiton poached a four-pointer from close range.
Saints forced two drop outs in quick succession around the 50 minute mark and Taia was stopped right on the line by boneshaker from Bosc.
The visitors also piled on the pressure around the hour mark but couldn’t get the all important score.
With 10 to go Makinson and Percival put Swift free on the left touchline before he turned it inside.
The ball came off Bousquet and Saints put down the but the referee waved play on for a forward pass.
Saints weren’t to be denied again though and once Catalans made a mistake, Fages produced a worldie of a run and offload to put Jack Owens over in the corner.
Percival hitting the conversion for a four point lead.
Catalan threw what they could at Saints in the final stages but the defence held firm for a deserved win.
Match Summary:
Dragons:
Tries: Bosc, Bousquet, Thornley, Aiton
Goals: Walsh (4 from 4)
Saints:
Tries: Swift, Percival, Morgan, Walker, Owens
Goals: Percival (4 from 5)
Penalties Awarded:
Dragons: 8
Saints: 6
HT: 18-22
FT: 28-24
REF: R Hicks
ATT: TBC
Teams:
Dragons:
16. Thomas Bosc; 21. Iain Thornley, 3. Krisnan Inu, 4. Brayden Wiliame, 5. Fouad Yaha; 6. Luke Walsh, 7. Richie Myler; 8. Sam Moa, 9. Paul Aiton, 10. Remi Casty, 12. Justin Horo, 15. Ben Garcia, 17. Jason Baitieri.
Subs: 14. Julian Bousquet, 19. Mickael Simon, 20. Luke Burgess, 23. Alrix Da Costa.
Saints:
2. Tommy Makinson; 21. Jack Owens, 3. Ryan Morgan, 4. Mark Percival, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Theo Fages, 12. Jon Wilkin; 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 14. Luke Douglas, 36. Zeb Taia, 18. Dominique Peyroux, 20. Morgan Knowles.
Subs: 10. Kyle Amor, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 15. Adam Walker, 17. Tommy Lee.
