Dragons down Rovers

The Catalans Dragons sparked life into their season with a tough 16-10 victory over Hull KR in France.

The hosts looked home and hosed as they moved 16-0 in front just after the hour mark with their third try of the game, but Rovers produced a late fightback.

Tries from Steven Bell, Dane Carlaw and Cyril Gossard put the Dragons in total control, and with just seven minutes left the visitors looked like being shut out for the second time this season.

However, Rovers scored two tries in three minutes, from Jake Webster and Chris Welham, but they did not have enough to complete the comeback.

In just their third home fixture of the season from their eight played, Kevin Walters side finally showed their poor early season form was merely a blip.

Dominant

Although Rovers dominated the early exchanges, the Dragons broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute against the run of play, with Bell going over and Thomas Bosc, back from injury, landed the touchline conversion.

The Dragons extended their advantage 10 minutes into the second half when Rovers' defence was dragged all over the place.

Briscoe could do nothing with three Dragons running at him and David Ferriol's pass outside to Dane Carlaw saw the second-rower score with no Rovers player to stop him.

The Dragons sealed their second win of the season on 63 minutes with a great counter-attacking try.

Scott Murrell's attacking kick was blocked and in an instant, Catalans were lining up to score, with Gossard taking the honour by leaping over the line in style.

Advantage

Bosc missed his first goal attempt of the evening, but his side still led 16-0.

Rovers got themselves back in the game with just over seven minutes remaining when Webster managed a try in the right-hand corner. Michael Dobson converted to bring some respectability to the scoreline.

The travelling Rovers fans were cheering moments later when Liam Colbon palmed the ball into Kris Welham's path for Rovers' second try in three minutes.

Colbon suffered a bad knock in the incident and needed treatment before Dobson's goal attempt drifted wide. It was too little too late for Justin Morgan's men.