Saints beat Dragons to progress to Challenge Cup Semi-Finals!

Saints will make the trip to Elland Road on the 7th May after impressively beating the Catalans Dragons 20-36 this afternoon in Perpignan!

Saints had an early opportunity to take a two-point lead after earning a penalty in front of the sticks as the hosts didn’t let Alex Walmsley up for a quick play-the-ball. Tommy Makinson added an easy two points to give us a 2-0 advantage.

Saints’ pressure continued as they earned a drop-out after a great chase from Joe Batchelor, it came to nothing in the end though.

Catalans responded in the 17th minute. They worked the ball through the hands which ended with Sam Tomkins throwing a cut-out pass for Fouad Yaha to stroll in the left corner. Tomkins missed the conversion, 4-2 Saints trailed.

Saints responded well. Jack Welsby threw a great cut-out pass down the right wing to the returning Will Hopoate, he then returned the favour by passing to Welsby on his inside to score under the sticks. Makinson converted, 8-4 the Saints lead.

A second Saints try followed. Jonny Lomax found Curtis Sironen who made a small break before finding Welsby on his inside, he then found another offload to Lewis Dodd who broke to score under the sticks. Makinson converted, 14-2.

That was quickly followed by a third. Saints went down the left side and Mark Percival made a break before racing away to score. Makinson converted, 20-4 Saints led.

Saints then lost a man for ten minutes as Sironen was sin binned for a high shot. The hosts made the most of their man advantage as Gil Dudson went over from close range. Arthur Mourgue took over kicking duties from the injured Tomkins and converted to make it 20-10. That was the final score of the first period, as Saints led 20-10 at the break in Perpignan.

Saints’ advantage was extended five minutes into the second period. Off the back of a great carry by Percival, Morgan Knowles managed to bury over from dummy half from close range. Makinson converted, 26-10.

Catalans responded again, A move from right to left ended with Yaha grounding the ball in the corner. Mourgue converted, 26-16. Saints had their fifth try on the hour mark. Joey Lussick found Dan Norman on the Dragons line and he stepped past Sam Kasiano to score his third try of the season under the sticks. Makinson converted, 32-16. Saints’ sixth followed as we entered the closing stages.

Batchelor ran a great line close to the Dragons line and powered over from close range to stretch out and ground the ball. Makinson missed the conversion, 36-16.

Catalans added a late consolation, Josh Drinkwater threw a cut-out pass which allowed Tom Davies to stroll over in the corner. Mourgue missed the extras, 36-20.

Those were the final points of the game, as Saints progressed to the Challenge Cup semi-finals with a 36-20 victory in Perpignan!

Match Summary

Catalans Dragons Team:Β Sam Tomkins, Tom Davies, Arthur Romano, Tyrone May, Fouad Yaha, Mitchell Pearce, Josh Drinkwater, Dylan Napa, Michael McIlorum, Gil Dudson, Mike McMeekan, Benjamin Julien, Benjamin Garcia.

Interchanges:Β Arthur Mourgue, Jordan Dezaria, Joe Chan, Sam Kasiano.

Tries:Β Fouad Yaha (17, 56), Gil Dudson (33), Tom Davies (78)

Conversions:Β Sam Tomkins (0 from 1), Arthur Morgue (2 from 3)

Saints Team:Β Jack Welsby, Will Hopoate, Konrad Hurrell, Mark Percival, Tommy Makinson, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Joe Batchelor, Curtis Sironen, Morgan Knowles.

Interchanges:Β Joey Lussick, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Agnatius Paasi, Dan Norman.

Tries:Β Jack Welsby (21), Lewis Dodd (24), Mark Percival (27), Morgan Knowles (45), Dan Norman (60), Joe Batchelor (68)

Conversions:Β Tommy Makinson (5 from 6)

Penalties:Β Tommy Makinson (1 from 1)

Sin Bin:Β Curtis Sironen (31)

HT:Β 10-20

FT:Β 20-36

Saints Line up

1 Jack Welsby
3 Will Hopoate
3 Konrad Hurrell
4 Mark Percival
2 Tommy Makinson
7 Jonny Lomax
7 Lewis Dodd
8 Alex Walmsley
James Roby
10 Matty Lees
12 Joe Batchelor
11 Curtis Sironen
13 Morgan Knowles
14 Joey Lussick
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
17 Agnatius Paasi
20 Dan Norman

Catalans Dragons Line up

1 Sam Tomkins
2 Tom Davies
3 Tyrone May
4 Arthur Romano
5 Fouad Yaha
6 Mitchell Pearce
7 Josh Drinkwater
8 Gil Dudson
9 Micky McIlorum
10 Dylan Napa
11 Benjamin Jullien
12 Mike McMeeken
13 Benjamin Garcia
14 Arthur Mourgue
15 Jordan Dezaria
16 Joe Chan
17 Sam Kasiano

Last updated 9 Apr 22 16:15:42

80'

FT: 🐲 Dragons 20-36 Saints ⚫🧊

𝗔 π—¦π—§π—”π—§π—˜π— π—˜π—‘π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘ π—œπ—‘ 𝗙π—₯π—”π—‘π—–π—˜ – 𝗒𝗑𝗧𝗒 π—§π—›π—˜ π—¦π—˜π— π—œπ—¦!

#COYS

79'

The kick is missed.

🐲 Dragons 20-36 Saints ⚫🧊

78'
Try
Tom Davies for Catalans Dragons

Tom Davies goes over in the corner for Catalans.

🐲 Dragons 20-36 Saints ⚫🧊

75'

Sironen thinks he’s over for another Saints score, but the referee calls a forward pass. Five to go…

🐲 Dragons 16-36 Saints ⚫🧊

73'

Percival and Batchelor again force the knock on!

🐲 Dragons 16-36 Saints ⚫🧊

70'

Makinson misses his first one of the night.

🐲 Dragons 16-36 Saints ⚫🧊

69'
Try
Joe Batchelor for Saints

BATCHHHHH!! We are in for another as Batchelor locks onto a Lomax short ball to power over!

🐲 Dragons 16-36 Saints ⚫🧊

68'

Great Saints pressure again as Hurrell and Hopoate trap Mourgue in goal and the Saints will come again!

🐲 Dragons 16-32 Saints ⚫🧊

64'

Kasiano knocks on under a challenge from Walmsley and Batchelor.

🐲 Dragons 16-32 Saints ⚫🧊

62'
Goal
Tommy Makinson for Saints

Makinson adds the two from right in front!

🐲 Dragons 16-32 Saints ⚫🧊

60'
Try
Dan Norman for Saints

BIG DANNNNNNNNNNNNN! The other big man, Walmsley makes the meteres and Lussick finds Norman from dummy half for his third Saints try of the season!

🐲 Dragons 16-30 Saints ⚫🧊

59'

Big Al is back on for Paasi as the Dragons knock on in their own half under a challenge from Norman!

🐲 Dragons 16-26 Saints ⚫🧊

57'
Goal
Arthur Mourgue for Catalans Dragons

Mourgue kicks the two from the touchline.

🐲 Dragons 16-26 Saints ⚫🧊

57'
Try
Fouad Yaha for Catalans Dragons

Yaha is in at the corner for his second after a cut-out Drinkwater pass.

🐲 Dragons 14-26 Saints ⚫🧊

57'

Roby gets into a scuffle in back play with Kasiano as the Dragons win back to back six agains.

🐲 Dragons 10-26 Saints ⚫🧊

55'

Lussick is on at hooker as Roby moves to loose forward after Knowles takes a breather…

🐲 Dragons 10-26 Saints ⚫🧊

53'

Wow so nearly a wonderful Saints try as the ball is kept alive after another Sironen break, but the kick runs dead before Knowles can grab his second. Meanwhile, Norman is on for LMS…

🐲 Dragons 10-26 Saints ⚫🧊

50'

Percival is over keen and catches the Catalans man high. Time to defend…

🐲 Dragons 10-26 Saints ⚫🧊

47'
Goal
Tommy Makinson for Saints

A BIG kick from T Mak as it just about makes it over from the corner in windy conditions!

🐲 Dragons 10-26 Saints ⚫🧊

46'
Try
Morgan Knowles for Saints

MORGZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! The ball is moved to the left, Percival goes for the line, but is held up just short but Knowles isn’t as he powers his way over from dummy half! GET IN!

🐲 Dragons 10-24 Saints ⚫🧊

44'

A good start from Saints with early pressure in the Dragons half…

🐲 Dragons 10-20 Saints ⚫🧊

41'

We are back underway in the second half here in Perpignan! COYS! ⚫🧊

🐲 Dragons 10-20 Saints ⚫🧊

40'

HT: 🐲 Dragons 10-20 Saints ⚫🧊

We lead by 10 at the break…

#COYS

39'

But this time Dodd’s pass is behind everyone and runs out of play….

🐲 Dragons 10-20 Saints ⚫🧊

39'

Back to back penalties for Saints. A chance here before the break…

🐲 Dragons 10-20 Saints ⚫🧊

38'

LMS is penalised for a late hit which looked harsh and the Dragons have a set on our line, but Yaha drops Drinkwater’s pass with the line at his mercy…

🐲 Dragons 10-20 Saints ⚫🧊

37'

We run it on the last as Lomax finds Percival with a short ball, but the Dragons defence stands firm.

🐲 Dragons 10-20 Saints ⚫🧊

35'

Drinkwater’s kick goes out on the full. We will restart on half way.

🐲 Dragons 10-20 Saints ⚫🧊

32'
Goal
Arthur Mourgue for Catalans Dragons

Mourgue, on at full back for Tomkins, adds the two.

🐲 Dragons 10-20 Saints ⚫🧊

32'
Try
Gil Dudson for Catalans Dragons

From the penalty, Dudson collects a short ball to go over under the sticks.

🐲 Dragons 8-20 Saints ⚫🧊

31'
Yellow Card
Curtis Sironen for Saints

Sironen is sent to the bin for a high shot.

🐲 Dragons 4-20 Saints ⚫🧊

29'

Tomkins has hobbled off for Catalans, whilst LMS and Iggy are on for Saints. Big Al and Matty Lees making way…

🐲 Dragons 4-20 Saints ⚫🧊

27'
Goal
Tommy Makinson for Saints

Makinson keeps up his 100% record this afternoon with another two points!

🐲 Dragons 4-20 Saints ⚫🧊

26'
Try
Mark Percival for Saints

AND AGAIN!!!!!!! Percy breaks through weak Catalan’s defence after a Lomax offload to go over for another Saints try!

🐲 Dragons 4-18 Saints ⚫🧊

24'
Goal
Tommy Makinson for Saints

Makinson again adds the two from right in front to extend our lead to 10 points!

🐲 Dragons 4-14 Saints ⚫🧊

23'
Try
Lewis Dodd for Saints

BACK TO BACK TRIES FOR SAINTS! Sironen makes a half break and feeds Welsby who breaks away. He has options both sides but chooses his inside and Dodd does the rest!!

🐲 Dragons 4-12 Saints ⚫🧊

21'
Goal
Tommy Makinson for Saints

Makinson adds the two!

🐲 Dragons 4-8 Saints ⚫🧊

20'
Try
Jack Welsby for Saints

SUPER JACKKKKK! GET IN! Our full back makes a break before the ball is moved out to Hopoate and he feeds the supporting Welsby who goes over under the sticks!

🐲 Dragons 4-6 Saints ⚫🧊

17'

Tomkins kick misses.

🐲 Dragons 4-2 Saints ⚫🧊

16'
Try
Fouad Yaha for Catalans Dragons

The ball is moved to our right side and Yaha goes over in the corner.

🐲 Dragons 4-2 Saints ⚫🧊

17'

Makinson is penalised for a swinging arm and Catalans are on the attack inside our 20…

🐲 Dragons 0-2 Saints ⚫🧊

15'

It’s a physical battle as expected. Lees loses the ball at one end whilst Big Al swats Mitchell Pearce aside. Welsby’s kick runs dead and Catalans have it back…

🐲 Dragons 0-2 Saints ⚫🧊

11'

Good Saints defence sees it out as McIlorum’s grubber runs dead.

🐲 Dragons 0-2 Saints ⚫🧊

9'

After a six again, the Dragons win another penalty after a high shot from Hopoate and they will opt to run it…

🐲 Dragons 0-2 Saints ⚫🧊

7'

The Catalans crowd are getting frustrated here, but they win a penalty of their own for a Saints offside. Time to defend…

🐲 Dragons 0-2 Saints ⚫🧊

5'
Goal
Tommy Makinson for Saints

We win a penalty right in front and Makinson slots over the two to give us an early lead!

🐲 Dragons 0-2 Saints ⚫🧊

3'

An even start with both teams exchanging sets before Saints win a penalty as the Dragons are caught offside…

🐲 Dragons 0-0 Saints ⚫🧊

1'

We are off and underway here in Perpignan! COYS!

🐲 Dragons 0-0 Saints ⚫🧊

Time to get warm! πŸƒπŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

Head over to our social media accounts to catch a pre-match word from the boss!

Good to see you back Hoppa!

And so is Matty Lees!

BIG Al is BACK! πŸ’ͺ🏽

Hello Lads! πŸ‘‹

Here is how we line up!

Will Hopoate, Big Al and Matty Lees are all back!

Our Challenge Cup team news up next! πŸ‘€

We will have team news for you at 2pm local time (1pm in the UK!)

Inside the Dragons Den! πŸ‰

Hopefully plenty of tries under these posts today!

The pitch here in Perpignan is in good condition!

πŸ‰

Hello from the Stade Gilbert Brutus Stadium here in Perpignan! πŸ“

The boys flew out of Liverpool on Friday afternoon. Preparation has been perfect, the boys are excited for the big game and we will have team news for you around 1pm (UK time)…

Head over to our news section to hear all about today’s game in our Match Preview story…

Hello and welcome to our live match blog ahead of what is the biggest game of the season so far. Catalans vs Saints in the Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter Final live on BBC One with kick off at 2:30pm (UK time).

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