Saints bowed out of the Challenge Cup at the semi final stage following a 35-16 defeat to Catalans in Bolton.

The Dragons raced to a 27-0 lead at the break and even though Mark Percival grabbed a brace Saints couldn’t drag themselves back in it.

It left them waiting yet another year to return to the Cup Final and Wembley.

Catalans were tenacious from the off and led after just seven minutes.

Josh Drinkwater added the first of what would turn out to be seven two-pointers and his side never looked back.

Lewis Tierney and Ben Garcia sandwiched a James Roby effort that was chalked off and then Tony Gigot added a drop goal for 13-0.

Worse was to follow as Morgan Knowles saw yellow for a high shot and by the time he returned, Catalans led 29-0.

Gigot took an inside pass to go under the sticks before Garcia added his second as the hooter warmed up.

Drinkwater then added a penalty four minutes into the second half.

Saints fought their way back onto the scoreboard with two tries in five minutes.

Firstly, Mark Percival finished off a great move before Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook did what he’s done all season and sparked Saints to life with a try 15 minutes in.

Saints were on the front foot but the comeback was ultimately over when Sam Moa plunged over from short range.

Mark Percival then grabbed his second with around 10 minutes to go but the damage had already been done.

Match Summary:

Dragons:
Tries: Tierney, Garcia (2), Gigot, Moa
Goals: Drinkwater (7 from 8)
Drop: Gigot

Saints:
Tries: Percival (2), LMS
Goals: Richardson (2 from 3)

Penalties Awarded:
Dragons: 8
Saints: 9

HT: 27-0
FT: 35-16

REF: Robert Hicks

ATT: TBC

Teams:

Dragons:
31. Tony Gigot; 20. Lewis Tierney, 1. David Mead, 4. Brayden Wiliame, 5. Fouad Yaha; 6. Samisoni Langi, 33. Josh Drinkwater; 15. Mikael Simon, 19. Michael McIlorum, 10. Sam Moa, 21. Benjamin Jullien, 12. Benjamin Garcia, 8. Remi Casty.
Subs: 11. Louis Anderson, 14. Julian Bousquet, 17. Jason Baitieri, 34. Kenny Edwards.

Saints:
23. Ben Barba; 5. Adam Swift, 2. Tommy Makinson, 4. Mark Percival, 19. Regan Grace; 1. Jonny Lomax, 18. Danny Richardson; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 16. Luke Thompson, 15. Morgan Knowles, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 6. Theo Fages, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Luke Douglas, 20. Matty Lees.

Saints Line up

23 Ben Barba
18 Adam Swift
2 Tommy Makinson
4 Mark Percival
5 Regan Grace
6 Jonny Lomax
7 Danny Richardson
18 Kyle Amor
James Roby
10 Luke Thompson
13 Morgan Knowles
11 Zeb Taia
12 Jon Wilkin
7 Theo Fages
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
14 Luke Douglas
10 Matty Lees

Catalans Dragons Line up

1Tony Gigot
2Lewis Tierney
3David Mead
4Brayden Wiliame
5Fouad Yaha
6Samisoni Langi
7Josh Drinkwater
8Mikael Simon
9Michael McIlorum
10Sam Moa
11 Benjamin Jullien
12Benjamin Garcia
13Rémi Casty
14Louis Anderson
15Julian Bousquet
16Jason Baitieri
17Kenny Edwards

Last updated 5 Aug 18 14:28:00

FT
75'

Barba with the chip over but Catalans are up to it.

70'

Another set for Saints as Richardson’s pass is almost intercepted.

67'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Danny makes it 35-16.

Try
Mark Percival for Saints

Given. 35-14

67'

heading upstairs for a Percival try – nice handling sees him go over in the corner.

66'

BB links up with Regan Grace to stop a Catalans try in the corner.

62'
Goal
Josh Drinkwater for Catalans Dragons

Drinkwater makes it 35-10

61'
Try
Sam Moa for Catalans Dragons

Sam Moa crashes through the defence

60'

Saints coming away from their own line after they defend a chip over the top.

55'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson makes it 29-10

55'
Try
Ben Barba for Saints

And now Louie is over!

54'

High shots coming in from Catalans handing Saints a penalty close in.

Percy’s 20th of the season @plattyphoto

Richardson’s conversion is wide. Catalans lead 29-4.

50'
Try
Mark Percival for Saints

Yes boys. Great pass sees Percy over in the corner.

49'

High ball from Richardson and Percival absolutely whacks Tierney. Saints now have the ball on Catalans line.

48'

No try and Saints have a penalty.

47'

heading upstairs for a Catalans try – no try is the call on the field.

46'

Saints have to drop out.

44'
Goal
Josh Drinkwater for Catalans Dragons

Drinkwater for 29-0.

44'

Catalans have a penalty underneath the sticks and they will take the 2.

42'

Catalans gain a penalty.

40'

Saints back out on the field – Catalans will get the game underway and they lead 27-0

HT
39'
Goal
Josh Drinkwater for Catalans Dragons

Drinkwater gives his side a 27-0 lead.

38'
Try
Benjamin Garcia for Catalans Dragons

Garcia in for his second after Catalans come down the middle at Saints.

37'
Goal
Josh Drinkwater for Catalans Dragons

Drinkwater makes it 21-0

36'
Try
Tony Gigot for Catalans Dragons

Gigot the latest to cross as Catalans cut Saints apart on the right hand side.

35'
Goal
Josh Drinkwater for Catalans Dragons

Drinkwater makes it 15-0.

34'
Yellow Card
Morgan Knowles for Saints

Knowles in the bin for the shot on Edwards.

34'

High shot from Morgan Knowles… Catalans penalty.

32'
Drop Goal
Tony Gigot for Catalans Dragons

Catalans 13-0 up as Gigot hits over a drop goal.

31'

Saints penalised as the ball is said to have gone out on the full – replays not convincing, but here come catalans again.

30'

Drinkwater sends his conversion wide – Catalans lead 12-0.

29'
Try
Benjamin Garcia for Catalans Dragons

On the last, ball comes left and Garcia finds a gap – pass sucks in the Saints defence.

26'

More nervy moments for Saints as a high ball comes over from the right hand side – but Catalans knock it on.

25'

Catalans force a Saints drop out.

24'

Saints keep it alive on the last – Roby flies over but is held up over the line.

23'

Richardson absolutely flattened after he kicked the ball and that has Saints right on Catalans’ line following a penalty.

21'
Goal
Josh Drinkwater for Catalans Dragons

Catalans lead 8-0

19'
Try
Lewis Tierney for Catalans Dragons

Pressure tells, ball goes through hands to the right hand side and Tierney makes it 6-0

18'

Catalans penalty, 40 out, they’ll chip to the corner and come again.

18'

Saints force and error on their own 40 metre line .

16'

But Richardson can’t take in Roby’s pass and Catalans will have the ball back.

15'

And another. Saints will attack from 30 out.

15'

Second penalty of the afternoon for Saints.

Early break from Luke Thompson @plattyphoto

12'

Saints go for it on the last but Catalans wrap up the danger. They remain 2-0 to the good.

11'

Drinkwater chip close to Saints line – Richardson picks it up and clears his lines.

10'

Link move with Lomax and Richardson sees Makinson unable to take in Danny’s pass.

8'

Penalty to Saints – they’ll start a set from half way.

7'
Goal
Josh Drinkwater for Catalans Dragons

Gives Catalans a 2-0 lead.

6'

Saints give a penalty away and Catalans will take the 2

6'

Catalans ball, 40 metres out. Defence needed.

5'

Little nervy for Saints under the high ball then – Catalans tip it back and then Lomax collects in front of Barba.

4'

But Makinson is pushed into touch

3'

More than 6500 Saints fans here today – and they’ve just seen Thommo make a break and a half from distance

Saints will get this one underway!