Dragons roar past Warriors

Warriors suffer late loss on home soil as Dragons' run goes on

Last updated: 11th April 2008

Dragons roar past Warriors

Carlaw: Stunned Wigan with late winner

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Dane Carlaw grabbed a late, late try to give Les Catalans a stunning 26-24 win over Wigan, extending the Dragons' unbeaten run in the process.

The Warriors, who were once again without Trent Barrett, seemed to be on course for the two points when they led 24-16 with just five minutes remaining.

Yet the Dragons stunned the majority of the fans inside the JJB with a sensational comeback that started with a try from former Wigan prop Jerome Guisset.

Then, with time up, Thomas Bosc's up-and-under broke kindly to Carlaw, who was left with the simple task of diving over the line to steal it at the death.

Topsy-turvy

A topsy-turvy game between two sides inside the top six in Super League had seen the visitors take an early lead thanks to Clint Greenshields try after six minutes.

The full-back darted through a gap to reach the line and Bosc's touchline conversion was followed up by a penalty, making it 8-0 to the Dragons.

Only Pat Richards' crucial interception stopped Les Catalans going further ahead as opposite winger Justin Murphy had the line at his mercy had the ball got through to him.

That near escape seemed to trigger Wigan into life, Richards this time making his mark at the other end of the field with the hosts first try.

Only a borderline forward pass given by referee Ashley Klein denied the Warriors a quick-fire second through the recalled Mark Calderwood, making his 50th appearance for the Cherry and Whites.

At that time the decision did not appear to be so crucial, and when Richards made amends for his earlier conversion miss with two penalties, Wigan went in at half-time 10-8 ahead.

Revenge

When Eamon O'Carroll accepted scrum-half Thomas Leuluai's pass to score the first points after the break, Brian Noble's troops looked to be on their way to avenging last year's shock Challenge Cup semi-final defeat.

Carmont fly-kicked forward a loose Dragons pass to cross for Wigan's third try soon after, Richards' second successful kick of the half making it 20-10.

However, Les Catalans were in no mood to see their recent good run come to an end, making the most of a Calderwood error trying to deal with a 40-20 to score through Murphy, who was not to be denied second time around.

Richards got on the end of a Leuluai grubber kick to get Wigan's fourth of the night before the game came to an amazing climax.

Firstly Guisset crashed over in the 76th minute, Bosc adding his fifth goal before playing his part in Carlaw's last-gasp effort, although the Warriors will feel winger Calderwood was impeded in the air in the build-up.