Dragons roar at Odsal

Catalans Dragons claimed a surprise 24-16 win at Bradford to confirm their top six credentials and Grand Final aspirations.

The French side are just a point adrift of second-placed St Helens after overturning a 10-point deficit at Odsal.

The visitors trailed 12-2 after half an hour but Casey McGuire, Sebastien Raguin, John Wilson and Justin Murphy all crossed to avenge their Challenge Cup defeat on this ground less than a month ago.

Tries from Sam Burgess and Ben Jeffries had helped the Bulls establish the early authority but Bradford appeared to tire in the sapping temperature as the game wore on.

The men from the South of France showed no such susceptibility and took full advantage to claim their 10th Super League win from 16 starts.

Catalans started strongly and could have taken the lead through Murphy, only for a desperate tackle to deny the Australian in the corner.

Instead they had to settle for Thomas Bosc's 40-metre penalty five minutes later and that was the signal for Bradford to take a grip on the early proceedings.

Dave Halley went close with a quick burst and while the Dragons' defence held firm on that occasion, Burgess dummied his way through from acting half within a minute to edge Bradford ahead.

Resolute

The hosts stretched their advantage when Jeffries collected Iestyn Harris' smart chip after half an hour but the resolute Catalans refused to crumble.

A sensational 90-metre chase from Halley halted Dimitri Pelo's long-range effort and the Dragons crossed just before the break when McGuire crashed over from close range.

Pelo almost put Les Catalans in front soon after the restart but was forced into touch by a three-man tackle from Tame Tupou, James Evans and Michael Platt.

Raguin's try briefly gave the visitors a two-point advantage but Paul Sykes quickly replied after racing on to Burgess' long pass.

Another Bosc penalty brought the scores level before Wilson dived over in the corner and Murphy made the most of a sloppy error by Platt to seal a deserved win for the Dragons.