Saints led 30-12 but were were beaten 31-30 in golden point by the Catalans Dragons at a dramatic Magic Weekend at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.

Catalans took an early third minute lead as Sam Tomkins threw a dummy and escaped multiple Saints tackles to slide over to the left of the sticks. James Maloney added the extras to make it 6-0 to the French side.

Mark Percival was then sent off shortly after for Saints for a high shot on Tomkins.

Saints looked to have levelled the scores in the 13th minute. We threw the ball from left to right and Lachlan Coote found Tommy Makinson on the right wing and he finished well under pressure in the right corner. The try was confirmed by the video referee. Coote missed the conversion and we trailed 6-4.

We did take the lead in the 19th minute though. A good move down the left-hand side saw Coote play a one-two pass with the returning Percival to go over to the left of the sticks. Coote converted his own try to give us a 10-6 lead.

We scored our third try five minutes before the break. We were awarded a repeat set following a Catalans knock on, on their own line. In that set Jack Welsby found Sione Mata’utia who managed to get over the line despite the French sides best attempts to stop him. Coote added the extras to make it 16-6.

Sam Kasiano was then sent to the sin bin for the Dragons just before the break for a crusher tackle on James Bentley.

In the final minute of the half a decision was sent to the video referee for a potential Saints penalty try, which was not given but Kristian Woolf’s men were awarded a penalty from the decision and Coote added it to make it 18-6 to Saints at the break.

Mata’utia grabbed his second try of the evening seven minutes into the second half. Saints turned the ball over in the middle of the pitch and Welsby once again found Mata’utia who stepped Tomkins to score under the sticks. Coote added the extras, 24-6.

A few minutes later we had another chance to further increase our lead after a big break down the right wing, but Makinson was ruled to have made a double movement when putting the ball down so the Dragons were awarded a penalty.

Catalans then responded. Julian Bousquet forced his way over under the middle of the sticks. Maloney added the extras, Saints led 24-12.

Percival then made a big break down the middle of the pitch, a few tackles later Morgan Knowles took a carry close to the line and span his way over to score underneath the sticks. Coote added the extras to make it 30-12.

Catalans responded as firstly Dean Whare scored in the left corner. Maloney added that extras, Saints led 30-18 with just over three minutes to go. That was quickly followed by a Gil Dudson try after a break. Maloney with the extras, Saints led 30-24.

Somehow the Dragons completed their comeback as Kasiano claimed a high kick on the hooter to score. Maloney added the extras to make it 30-30 and send it to golden point.

The first attempt of a one-pointer in golden point was taken by Makinson but it went wide of the sticks. There was then a lengthy stoppage as Samisoni Langi clashed with Agnatius Paasi. The Catalans player was stretchered from the field as Paasi was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.

Saints then had another chance to win it but this time Coote missed the attempt of a one-pointer.

Catalans then went up the other end and won the game as James Maloney kicked the one-pointer from near the halfway line to give them an unlikely 31-30 win and with it secured  the League Leaders Shield.

Saints Team: Lachlan Coote, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Regan Grace, Jack Welsby, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Sione Mata’utia, James Bentley, Morgan Knowles.

Interchanges: Kyle Amor, Agnatius Paasi, Joe Batchelor, Jake Wingfield.

Tries: Tommy Makinson (13), Lachlan Coote (19), Sione Mata’utia (35, 47), Morgan Knowles (69)

Conversions: Lachlan Coote (4 from 5)

Penalties: Lachlan Coote (1 from 1)

Sin Bin: Mark Percival (6), Agnatius Paasi (85)

Catalans Dragons Team: Sam Tomkins, Tom Davies, Dean Whare, Samisoni Langi, Fouad Yaha, James Maloney, Josh Drinkwater, Julian Bousquet, Michael McIlorum, Jordan Dezaria, Mike McMeekan, Matt Whitley, Mickael Goudemand.

Interchanges: Arthur Mourgue, Gil Dudson, Joel Tomkins, Sam Kasiano.

Tries: Sam Tomkins (3), Julian Bousquet (57), Dean Whare (76), Gil Dudson (78), Sam Kasiano (80)

Conversions: James Maloney (5 from 5)

Sin Bin: Sam Kasiano (38)

HT: 18-6

FT: 30-30

GPET: 30-31

Saints Line up

1 Lachlan Coote
2 Tommy Makinson
3 Kevin Naiqama
4 Mark Percival
5 Regan Grace
1 Jack Welsby
7 Lewis Dodd
8 Alex Walmsley
James Roby
10 Matty Lees
11 Sione Mata’utia
12 James Bentley
13 Morgan Knowles
18 Kyle Amor
17 Agnatius Paasi
18 Jake Wingfield
12 Joe Batchelor

Catalans Dragons Line up

1 Sam Tomkins
2 Tom Davies
3 Samisoni Langi
4 Dean Whare
5 Fouad Yaha
6 James Maloney
7 Josh Drinkwater
8 Jordan Dezaria
9 Micky McIlorum
10 Julian Bousquet
11 Matt Whitley
12 Mike Mcmeeken
13 Mickael Goudemand
14 Arthur Mourgue
15 Gil Dudson
16 Joel Tomkins
17 Sam Kasiano

Last updated 4 Sep 21 19:47:48

80'

FT: 😇 Saints 30-31 Catalans 🐲

It’s agony for Saints as Catalans come from behind to win in golden point.

Drop Goal
James Maloney for Catalans Dragons

Maloney kicks the drop goal to win the game for Catalans.

😇 Saints 30-31 Catalans 🐲

Coote goes for the two, but it drifts wide.

😇 Saints 30-30 Catalans 🐲

Roby goes for a 40-20 but Tomkins keeps it in, but Catalans then throw the ball forward and we have a set of ix in the Dragons half……

😇 Saints 30-30 Catalans 🐲

We are back underway and it’s Saints on the attack…

😇 Saints 30-30 Catalans 🐲

Catalans have a chance, but the pass goes forward before the hooter sounds to mark the end of the first period of Golden Point.

😇 Saints 30-30 Catalans 🐲

Yellow Card
Agnatius Paasi for Saints

Correction it was Langi who has been stretchered off. Paasi has been sent to the bin as a result.

😇 Saints 30-30 Catalans 🐲

There is currently a lengthy stoppage as Kasiano receives treatment.

Makinson goes for it, but miss-kicks it. Paasi then clatters a Catalans player and this end-to-end game takes a breath!

😇 Saints 30-30 Catalans 🐲

Batchelor steals the ball! We have it back!

😇 Saints 30-30 Catalans 🐲

Amor tries to offload and it doesn’t come off. 2 mins to go in the first half of this golden point.

😇 Saints 30-30 Catalans 🐲

We see out the Catalans set and power forward through Walmsley…WE are on half way…

😇 Saints 30-30 Catalans 🐲

Cooote kicks us off in golden point…

😇 Saints 30-30 Catalans 🐲

80'
Goal
James Maloney for Catalans Dragons

Maloney kicks the two. We are into Golden point….

😇 Saints 30-30 Catalans 🐲

80'
Try
Sam Kasiano for Catalans Dragons

Catalans score on the hooter through Kasiano. Kick to come.

😇 Saints 30-28 Catalans 🐲

78'
Goal
James Maloney for Catalans Dragons

Maloney adds the two. 1m 30s to go.

😇 Saints 30-24 Catalans 🐲

78'
Try
Gil Dudson for Catalans Dragons

Catalans get another through Gil Dudson.

😇 Saints 30-22 Catalans 🐲

77'
Goal
James Maloney for Catalans Dragons

Maloney adds the two as we approach full-time.

😇 Saints 30-18 Catalans 🐲

77'
Try
Dean Whare for Catalans Dragons

Catalans have one back as Whare goes over in the corner.

😇 Saints 30-16 Catalans 🐲

71'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Cooooooote adds the extras to extend our lead!

😇 Saints 30-12 Catalans 🐲

70'
Try
Morgan Knowles for Saints

YOU ARE GOLD! Our big no.13 powers over under the sticks past three Dragons defenders! GET IN @Morgsknowles

😇 Saints 28-12 Catalans 🐲

66'

At the right end, we come forward as a grubber is put in and Welsby is inches away from touching down, but the ball just runs dead.

😇 Saints 24-12 Catalans 🐲

59'
Goal
James Maloney for Catalans Dragons

Maloney adds the two.

😇 Saints 24-12 Catalans 🐲

58'
Try
Julian Bousquet for Catalans Dragons

Catalans respond as Bousquet goes over after a number of offloads.

😇 Saints 24-10 Catalans 🐲

56'

We make a break down the right after Welsby sets Naiqama free with a cut-out pass and he feeds Makinson, but our winger is short of the line.

😇 Saints 24-6 Catalans 🐲

55'

Catalans look to respond as they work the ball out to the right, but Davies can’t find a teammate with the inside ball…Wingfield comes on for Amor.

😇 Saints 24-6 Catalans 🐲

49'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Cooooooote adds the extras from in front to extend our lead!

😇 Saints 24-6 Catalans 🐲

49'
Try
Sione Mata'utia for Saints

SIONNNEEE AT THE DOUBLE!! Welsby with the short ball and Mata’utia is there to break through and fly over for his second!

😇 Saints 22-6 Catalans 🐲

44'

Catalans pushing early in the second half, but good defence from Saints holds Dudson up over the line before Grace clutches a high kick at the second attempt and we come away with it…

😇 Saints 18-6 Catalans 🐲

41'

We are back underway here in Newcastle!

😇 Saints 18-6 Catalans 🐲

40'

HT: 😇 Saints 18-6 Catalans 🐲

We are in control at the break after tries from Makinson, Coooote and Mata’utia! 💪

39'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Saints win a penalty after Maloney is called up by the video referee for a shoulder charge and Coooote kicks the two from right in front as we approach half time…

😇 Saints 18-6 Catalans 🐲

39'

Matty Lees has passed his HIA and is back on as Paasi makes way…

😇 Saints 16-6 Catalans 🐲

38'
Yellow Card
Sam Kasiano for Catalans Dragons

Kasiano is sent to the bin for a tackle on Bentley…

😇 Saints 16-6 Catalans 🐲

37'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Cooooooooooooooooooote adds the two to extend our lead!

😇 Saints 16-6 Catalans 🐲

36'
Try
Sione Mata'utia for Saints

SIONEEEEEEEEEEEE! The big man collects a short ball and powers over! GET IN!!

😇 Saints 14-6 Catalans 🐲

35'

The set results in Dodd’s grubber hitting Kasiano who is in an offside position. The referee calls a knock on and we have another set on the Dragons line…

😇 Saints 10-6 Catalans 🐲

34'

We force the Catalans knock on and have a chance to score right before half time…

😇 Saints 10-6 Catalans 🐲

33'

Coote, yet again, is there before Maloney’s pass goes straight into the hands of Percival and we come away with it! Big Al makes way for Joe Batchelor.

😇 Saints 10-6 Catalans 🐲

32'

Catalans get a repeat set on the Saints line…Time to defend!

😇 Saints 10-6 Catalans 🐲

29'

Coooote again comes to Saints rescue with another try saver on Yaha, before we then win a penalty…

😇 Saints 10-6 Catalans 🐲

28'

Amor loses the ball after a good drive. Knowles is off as Iggy Paasi gets his first taste of #MagicWeekend!

😇 Saints 10-6 Catalans 🐲

26'

Matty Lees makes way for a head assessment and Kyle Amor comes on…

😇 Saints 10-6 Catalans 🐲

21'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Coooooote converts his own try and we are ahead by four!

😇 Saints 10-6 Catalans 🐲

20'
Try
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Cooooooooooooooooooooooote! A lovely offload from the returning Mark Percival sets up the supporting Cooote who goes over!

😇 Saints 8-6 Catalans 🐲

19'

A Jack Welsby kicks through results in Davies being forced into his own goal and we will come again!

😇 Saints 4-6 Catalans 🐲

Keep working, lads!

17'

Percy is back on as we attack down the middle. COYS!

😇 Saints 4-6 Catalans 🐲

15'

Cooote’s kick drifts narrowly wide, but we are back in this one!

😇 Saints 4-6 Catalans 🐲

14'
Try
Tommy Makinson for Saints

T MAKKKKKKKKKKKKKK! The ball is moved out to our right through the hands of Cooote who finds @TommyMak21 in the corner and he does the rest! GET IN!

😇 Saints 4-6 Catalans 🐲

13'

A kick comes through and Catalans knock on. We have a chance to respond as Cooote kicks for touch…

😇 Saints 0-6 Catalans 🐲

8'

WHAT a tackle from Lachlan Coooooooote who saves a certain try as he forces Yaha in touch.

😇 Saints 0-6 Catalans 🐲

6'
Yellow Card
Mark Percival for Saints

Percival clatters Sam Tomkins high and is sent to the bin.

😇 Saints 0-6 Catalans 🐲

5'
Goal
James Maloney for Catalans Dragons

Maloney kicks the two.

😇 Saints 0-6 Catalans 🐲

4'
Try
Sam Tomkins for Catalans Dragons

Sam Tomkins skips through and scores the opener.

😇 Saints 0-4 Catalans 🐲

3'

Both sides exchange sets early here. The high kick goes up off the boot of a Catalans player, it’s contested for and the referee says Coote has knocked on so the Dragons have it back…

😇 Saints 0-0 Catalans 🐲

1'

We are off and underway here in Newcastle! COYS!

😇 Saints 0-0 Catalans 🐲

Kick off is next!

🏃🏻‍♂️ With the St James’ Park turf being occupied by the first #MagicWeekend game, both teams are running through their pre-match paces in a privately cordoned off area next to the ground…💪

Our new Magic Weekend shirts for 2021 are on point!

Head over to our social media to hear from the boss, including why LMS misses out today…

The boys have arrived at St James’ Park! 👋

Here is our team for this afternoon’s Magic Weekend clash with Catalans Dragons!

The boys will be walking out in our St Helens Autism Support shirt designed by 14 year old Kelvyn Sedlacek from Haydock! 👕

Team news is up next… 🔜

#COYS

St James’ Park is filling up nicely ahead of Magic Weekend!

We will see you soon, Saints fans!

📍 St James’ Park, Newcastle.

The boys will also walk out in this uniquely designed shirt which raises awareness of our partner charity St Helens Autism Support.

This is our Magic Weekend kit the boys will be playing in today!

Get yourself in the mood for the game and re-live a famous Saints win at Magic Weekend on Saints TV – when this man scored an absolute worldy!

We can’t wait to see this iconic stadium packed out with Saints fans later today!

Heading over to Newcastle? Or watching on Sky Sports? Whatever the case, we have all the info you need in our match preview story! Head over to the news section to read it.

Hello and welcome to our Magic Weekend Gameday! We face top of the table Catalans Dragons at 5:15pm live from St James’ Park in Newcastle and we have you covered right here in our Match Centre!

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