Saints v Catalans Dragons

Saints booked a spot in the Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Finals after beating Catalans Dragons 36-4 at the BrewDog Stadium!

First Half

Five minutes in we got awarded a penalty in front of the sticks, as Joe Shorrocks was hit late. Saints opted for two points which Tristan Sailor converted to make it 2-0.

Ten minutes in, Saints had the first try of the evening. Daryl Clark exploited a big gap after a messy ruck, he threw a cuto-out pass to George Whitby down the left edge and he threw another one to Lewis Murphy who powered his way over in the corner to score. Sailor couldn’t convert, 6-0 we led.

Midway through the first half, the hosts had a second try. Camped on the Catalans line, Clark put in a kick towards the sticks which Sailor caught on the full over the line to score. He converted his own try, 12-0 we led.

Catalans’ best chance came after 25 minutes, with former Saint Lewis Dodd putting Zac Lipowicz through a gap but some strong defence from the Red V held him up short of the line. The hosts didn’t find touch with the penalty but Julian Bousquet knocked on later on in the set under the Saints posts.

The visitors challenged that call and were successful. Saints defended the set well and Dodd put in a low kick on the last towards their left edge but Tommy Makinson couldn’t reach the ball before it went out.

With just over five minutes of the first half to go, Saints had a penalty for offside. We opted for two points which Sailor converted, 14-0.

Just before the break, Saints had a third try. Alex Walmsley was stopped short of the line, before we worked it wide left to Jake Davies who turned over for his first Saints try. Sailor converted, 20-0 we led at the break.

Second Half

Within 90 seconds of the second half getting underway, Julian Bousquet was sin binned for a late hit on Harry Robertson as he tried to support a break.

Just before Catalans got their 13th man back, Saints grabbed try number four of the night. Saints had a penalty under the sticks, we went left as Jackson Hastings found Sailor, he threw the ball to Owen Dagnall on the wing and he cut inside onto his right foot to score. Sailor’s kick went wide, 24-0.

The visitors tried to find a way back into the game but a massive hit from Matt Whitley on Charlie Staines deep in Saints territory forced a knock on.

Saints made sure of the win with just under thirteen minutes to go. Hastings kicked high to the right edge, Makinson slipped which allowed George Whitby to claim the ball unopposed to score. Sailor converted, 30-0.

They tried again to make something happen after getting a penalty on the Saints line but Makinson stumbled trying to catch a low pass and the ball went to ground.

Catalans grabbed a consolation with a little over five minutes to go. The visitors forced an error inside our 20, shifted the ball from right to left and Solomona Faataape made use of the extra man on the edge. Toby Sexton couldn’t convert, 30-4.

We less than three minutes to go, we had our first trip to the video referee. A high kick wasn’t dealt with by Catalans, Nick Cotric tried to let it go out but Whitby grounded it before it did to put the icing on the cake. He converted his own try, 36-4.

That was the final action of the contest, as Saints booked a Challenge Cup Semi-Final spot with a dominant 36-4 victory over Catalans Dragons!

Match Summary

Saints Team: Tristan Sailor, Kyle Feldt, Deon Cross, Harry Robertson, Lewis Murphy, Jackson Hastings, George Whitby, George Delaney, Daryl Clark, David Klemmer, Matt Whitley, Jake Wingfield, Joe Shorrocks.

Interchanges: Alex Walmsley, Noah Stephens, Owen Dagnall, Jake Davies.

18th Man: Tom Humphreys.

Tries: Lewis Murphy (10), Tristan Sailor (18), Jake Davies (38), Owen Dagnall (52), George Whitby (68, 78)

Conversions: Tristan Sailor (3 from 5), George Whitby (1 from 1)

Penalties: Tristan Sailor (2 from 2)

Catalans Dragons Team: Charlie Staines, Tommy Makinson, Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, Solomona Faataape, Nick Cotric, Toby Sexton, Lewis Dodd, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Kruise Leeming, Romain Navarette, Zac Lipowicz, Alexis Lis, Benjamin Garcia.

Interchanges: Chris Satae, Julian Bousquet, Ben Condon, Harvey Wilson.

18th Man: Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet.

Tries: Solomona Faataape (75)

Conversions: Toby Sexton (0 from 1)

Sin Bin: Julian Bousquet (41)

HT: 20-0

FT: 36-4

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In this edition of Saints & Proud, supporters can read exclusively:

- THE BIG READ with Jake Wingfield
- Chairman Eamonn McManus' column
- Opposition Preview
- Heritage Features: Magic Numbers & Making The Grade
- Foundation recap, including our Youth Panel
- Saints Women's match report
Plus much more...

Saints Line up

6 Tristan Sailor
2 Kyle Feldt
5 Deon Cross
3 Harry Robertson
20 Lewis Murphy
31 Jackson Hastings
17 George Whitby
15 George Delaney
9 Daryl Clark
13 David Klemmer
16 Matt Whitley
18 Jake Wingfield
22 Joe Shorrocks
8 Alex Walmsley
21 Noah Stephens
24 Owen Dagnall
28 Jake Davies

Catalans Dragons Line up

1 Charlie Staines
2 Tommy Makinson
14 Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e
4 Solomona Faataape
3 Nick Cotric
6 Toby Sexton
7 Lewis Dodd
15 Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui
19 Kruise Leeming
17 Romain Navarette
20 Zac Lipowicz
30 Alexis Lis
13 Ben Garcia
8 Chris Satae
10 Julian Bousquet
12 Ben Condon
18 Harvey Wilson

Last updated 10 Apr 26 21:52:29

FT
79'
Goal
George Whitby for Saints

Whitby adds the conversion to his try!

78'
Try
George Whitby for Saints

GEORGEY WHITBY ✨

A high kick is not dealt with by the Dragons, we kick it on, and Whitby chases it before it runs dead to score a second!

After a VR check, it is given!

😇 34-4 🐉

76'
Try
Solomona Faataape for Catalans Dragons

Catalans get on the board.

The new set by our try-line sees us turn them away, but they pull it left and Solomona Faataape crashes in for their first points of the game.

Kick missed.

😇 30-4 🐉

74'

The ball goes loose, Sailor gets it back into his hands but it’s judged a knock on.

We use our Captain’s Challenge.

It is unsuccessful.

73'

Catalans firm up in defence on this set, but a Walmsley big drive helps us get to the halfway line before kicking.

70'

🔄 Shorrocks off, Delaney back on.

😇 30-0 🐉

69'
Goal
Tristan Sailor for Saints

Two more points added by Sailor! 🦵

😇 30-0 🐉

68'
Try
George Whitby for Saints

WHITBYYYY! 💫

George gets on the ends a smart kick to the in-goal by Hastings!

😇 28-0 🐉

67'

A wild under the legs pass from dummy half by Hastings to Cross!

67'

🔄 Walmsley on, Klemmer off.

😇 24-0 🐉

66'

Some great attacking play by the S-Men. Klemmer gets an outrageous offload away to Clark, short just of the line.

Davies almost crashes in for a second, too.

54'

Stephens spots a gap and bursts through it. Quickly, we try get the ball right, and Makinson trying an intercept almost takes it but knocks on.

62'

What a hit from Whitley on Staines! Everyone in the BrewDog felt that one! 💥

😇 24-0 🐉

61'

Unlucky for Dagnall, some great hands on that edge open the space for him but he knocks on and airs his frustration.

😇 24-0 🐉

60'

Dragons just creep into our half on the last. Another calm take by Sailor.

59'

A reliever for the Catalans side, a judged incorrect play of the ball gives them the ball 30m out.

58'

Dragons are offside. We kick into their half for an attack.

56'

A better bit of D from the visitors. Whitby has to kick from our 40m line, but it is a good kick that finds a bit of grass and is not caught by the Catalans outside backs.

55'

Catalans end their set 20m away, a short grubber is collected well by Sailor.

54'

A poor pass goes to ground, Dagnall kicks it on but it runs out by the sidelines.

Catalans with their first good attacking set now in our half of this second period.

53'

The kick is missed this time from the wing.

51'
Try
Owen Dagnall for Saints

DAGGGGERRRRSSSS 🗡️

Dragons on their own line, Sailor gets a great long pass away on the left edge to Owen who evades a Catalans man and goes in to score!

😇 24-0 🐉

50'

Stephens is also on, replacing Delaney.

50'

Saints have the Dragons on the retreat. Walmsley with his final carry of this period before coming off for Klemmer bursts the line.

Sailor kicks high it bounces in field, we think a Catalan man touches it, but not given

48'

Bit of a chaotic end to that latest attack. Cross goes very close but wisely doesn’t extend the arm for a double movement.

Clark gets caught on the last, evades the first attempt but not the second.

47'

Outstanding defensive set by the S-Men, the visitors don’t get out of their own 20m.

46'

Another high kick chased by Saints, Sailor stops Staines inches off his own try line.

45'

Good chase by the Saints, who finish a set in the Dragons half.

😇 20-0 🐉

44'

A let off for the visitors, a forward pass 10 away from the line by Saints.

We firm up in defence, and the Dragons just get into our half to kick high.

42'

🟨 Bousquet is sent to the bin for a professional foul. Robertson was breaking through to support a run and taken out off the ball.

😇 20-0 🐉

Back underway. Come on you Saints!

⏸️ The Saints have the lead as we go into the break in the Challenge Cup Quarter Final

HT
39'
Goal
Tristan Sailor for Saints

Sailor adds the two from out wide!

38'
Try
Jake Davies for Saints

DAVIESSS! ☝️

A brilliant short pass from Shorrocks to a charging Walmsley, and Big Al gets us going closer. We play it quick and then Jake turns on the run to score his first senior try!

😇 18-0 🐉

37'

Hastings goes high on the last. Makinson catches it, but is met but a Saints wall straight away.

😇 14-0 🐉

35'
Goal
Tristan Sailor for Saints

Catalans on the back foot are pushed back to their own line and then penalised for being offside.

We call for the kicking tee, 15m out and to the left of the posts.

Sailor adds the kick.

34'

Catalans kick an awkward one, Shorrocks’ kick pressure forces them to kick it and they are offside from the kick, so we attack in their half now.

32'

🔄 Dagnall comes on.

😇 12-0 🐉

32'

Lewis Murphy on the charge by his wing carries the ball but after the tackle he stays down, looks to be holding his arm.

31'

Catalans throw the ball around, left to right and back again.

Makinson brings the ball in from the left wing, kicks ahead but Murphy collects the ball, no issue.

30'

Clark around the ruck again takes us into the opposing 30m.

Hastings’ kick is chased well, but Makinson has it.

28'

28′ Close to the sticks, they look to have knocked the ball on but the visitors use their Captain’s Challenge, with no live review, the fans in the stands can’t see it, but it is successful.

More pressure by our line.

27'

Makinson goes for a kick in the air, Catalans get a new set next to our try line.

25'

The Dragons go close, but resilient defence keeps them inches away. Great work, and the visitors then are penalised for dissent.

However, our kick doesn’t go dead. Let off for Catalans.

24'

🔄 Klemmer off, Walmsley on.

😇 12-0 🐉

23'

Robertson with a hit on Dodd, forces a knock on by our 20m line. Great hit, Harold.

22'

Saints are offside, so Catalans will get their first real dangerous set in our half.

21'

Daryl Clark is having a stormer of an opening to this game, he busts the line and sends a Dragon flying onto his backside and uses his legs to keep going in a tackle.

20'
Goal
Tristan Sailor for Saints

Trist tacks on the two following his try. ✌️

😇 12-0 🐉

18'
Try
Tristan Sailor for Saints

SAILORRRR ⛵️

Daryl Clark with a brilliant big pass, right under the sticks, and Tristan on the run appears as if out of nowhere and gets the four-pointer!

😇 10-0 🐉

18'

Cross held up on the left edge.

17'

Great attack by the Saints, Sailor goes close but inches short.

We then force the knock on by Catalans in their own 20m.

15'

Dragons hold Saints just by the halfway line this time, Sexton has to track back to take the kick.

14'

Better from Catalans, they just get into our half. Sexton’s high bomb is fielded well by Sailor though.

13'

Delaney gets an offload, and then he gives a goose-step to half break the line.

No, you read that right.

10'
Try
Lewis Murphy for Saints

MURPHYYYY ⚡️

The Dragons make the ruck very messy, a man stays in, they jump the line and Daryl Clark spots the gap and takes it brilliantly!

Fast hands, a beautiful Whitby cut-out pass, and Lewis scores!

9'

The Dragons after the play resumes get pinned in their 30m, Sailor almost threatens a break on the right.

8'

Wingfield looks to be in some pain here, looked to have suffered a possible knee injury and is helped off the field.

Head up, Wingy.

8'

Catalans knock on and we play it on, running to the right. Leeming not happy with Hastings after something, so the two go nose to nose, but play on.

On the last we kick high to the left corner, but Catalans hold on

7'

Whitby with a smart chip by the Dragons’ 20m almost catches the Dragons out, but Tommy Makinson dives on the ball.

6'

St.Helens have the Dragons on the back foot again, we push them back into their own half and an offside penalty is given.

4'
Goal
Tristan Sailor for Saints

More good attack by our Saints, the visitors back on their own 10m but Shorrocks gets taken late, we call for the kicking tee.

Sailor knocks it over.

2'

Cross broke on the left-edge, took us within their 10m and we run it on the last and Catalans need to come off their own line.

1'

Goof first defensive set by our men, keeping the Dragons in their own half.

Kick Off

▶️ KICK-OFF!

The Challenge Cup Quarter Final is underway between the Saints and the Dragons!

😇 0-0 🐉

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