St Helens 12-14 Catalans Dragons: Super League leaders hold off Saints to strengthen grip on top spot
Tries from Tom Johnstone and Matt Ikuvalu, plus two conversions and a penalty from Adam Keighran saw Catalans move four points clear at the top of the Betfred Super League with victory over third-placed St Helens in the Round 19 opener at Totally Wicked Stadium
Last Updated: 14/07/23 6:13am
Catalans Dragons further cemented their place at the top of the Betfred Super League table as they held out for a 14-12 win over St Helens at Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday evening.
A stunning length-of-the-field try from Tom Johnstone and a penalty and conversion from Adam Keighran put Catalans ahead in the third-versus-first clash, but Mark Percival's converted score ensured Saints trailed by just two points at half-time.
Matt Ikuvalu's converted try five minutes into the second half ultimately proved enough to seal the win as a valiant rearguard action from the French side prevented the hosts from completing a comeback despite Lewis Dodd's late score which ensured a grandstand finish.
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The result ensured the 2021 League Leaders' Shield winners secured a first win over St Helens at this ground for seven years, while the reigning champions were left to count the cost of failed head injury assessments for key men James Roby and Mark Percival which rule them out of next week's Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final against Leigh Leopards.
Story of the game
Catalans' performance made it all the more remarkable that they had arrived on Merseyside smarting from last week's shock home loss to struggling Huddersfield Giants which had raised inevitable questions over their inability to stay the course.
With Sam Tomkins reverting to full-back in place of the injured Arthur Mourgue, the visitors set about erasing those doubts during a tight opening period in which they more than matched their opponents for muscle and flair.
Saints, creeping up the table after what has proved a sluggish campaign by their own high standards, gave nothing away for the opening quarter of an hour until a high tackle on Paul Seguier gave centre Keighran the chance to kick Catalans into a two-point lead.
Jack Welsby's persistence at the other end was rewarded with a repeat set inside the Catalans' 20, but a kick from Jonny Lomax was intercepted deep by Keighran, who sent Johnstone cruising down the wing where he crossed unchallenged for his 22nd try of the season.
Roby's exit summed up a frustrating start for the home side but they were doing little wrong, and bustled their way back into the contest when they pressed through three consecutive penalties before Percival latched onto Dodd's kick to touch down, before also kicking the extras.
The French side extended their lead five minutes after the break when Matt Ikuvalu squirmed over in the corner and Keighran's touchline conversion stretched their advantage to 14-6.
Having been denied by May, Hopoate finally unlocked the Dragons defence with a clever ball inside to send Dodd over with six minutes left.
Joey Lussick's kick made it a two-point game and Saints almost snatched it on the hooter when Hopoate blazed down the right but a costly mix-up with Konrad Hurrell saw the Tongan fling his final pass into touch.
What they said
Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara
"We were in front all the way through the game...but we had to overcome some adversity there. A few bits went against us, but we managed to find some spirit in there and win the game under pressure at the end.
"It could have gone either way, but it was a very semi-final-style game."
St Helens head coach Paul Wellens
"I'm really proud of the team and their efforts. It was a red-hot game between two sides where there wasn't much between them.
"There are more games down the track and opportunities to pick up points. We're never happy when we lose a game - those are the standards we set ourselves - so naturally we are disappointed, but not in terms of the fact we went down fighting."
Player of the match Michael McIlorum
"It was tough and what we expected. They've won four titles in a row so coming here is always tough.
"We needed a good start...but we felt like we could get through the middle and we did in the end."
What's next?
St Helens are in Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final action next Saturday when they take on Leigh Leopards at the neutral venue of the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Catalans Dragons' next game is in Super League Round 20 when they host Salford Red Devils on Saturday July 29.
