Saints shade Dragons
St Helens bounced back from their defeat to Warrington by beating Catalans Dragons 22-16 in their Super League match on Saturday.
Last Updated: 06/03/11 12:14am
St Helens bounced back from their defeat to Warrington last weekend by beating Catalans Dragons 22-16 in their Super League match in Perpignan on Saturday evening.
Saints rallied after lynchpin Leon Pryce limped out after only five minutes, with Kyle Eastmond kicking three goals as his side scored four tries to the Dragons' three.
Scott Dureau replied with two goals for the home side and also scored the final touchdown of the game in the 77th minute.
Les Catalans made a bright start but lacked composure as they probed their opponents' line. St Helens were more clinical and took the lead when Chris Flannery crossed after good work from Eastmond, Michael Shenton and the supporting Ade Gardner.
Eastmond added the extras and played a part when Gardner crossed just five minutes later, the Bath-bound youngster's exquisite offload finding Paul Wellens, who then played in the veteran winger.
However, Eastmond failed to hit the target from wide on the right touchline.
The Dragons hit back moments later when Setaimata Sa pounced on a high Dureau kick that was fumbled by Gardner and touched down in one movement.
Dominated
Dureau missed the conversion but the Dragons were in the game and they dominated play until just before half time, when Wellens broke the line and passed to the supporting James Graham to score under the posts. Eastmond added the two points.
After half-time, Saints continued where they left off, with their next score arguably the try of the match.
Lee Gaskill started the move and the ball then passed through five pairs of Saints' hands to Scott Moore, who scored in the right corner - although Eastmond again failing with the goal attempt.
Saints thought they had scored through Andrew Dixon after an hour but that effort was ruled out by video referee Stuart Cummings.
The Dragons were awarded a penalty as a result and raced upfield, with Cyril Stacul going close down the left-hand side.
Two plays later, a Dureau kick wide was knocked back by Damien Blanch and the loose ball was pounced on by Steve Menzies.
Dureau added the touchline conversion to lift the Catalan crowd and bring the Dragons to within two scores.
They continued to press but still lacked composure and it was not until the 78th minute when Dureau scored under the posts and also converted to set up a grandstand finish.
Les Catalans mounted a spirited assault but Saints managed to just see out the remaining time.