DRAGONS EDGE OUT HARLEQUINS WITH LAST GASP TRY IN DOWNPOUR
The Catalan Dragons recorded their seventh straight victory by narrowly defeating Harlequins 32-26 on an unseasonably inclement evening at Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan – the first downpour in five months, according to anoraked local reporters. After a brave second-half comeback by Quins, 14-0 down at the break, the result had been in doubt right down to the final hooter. Had visiting captain Rob Purdham not missed three attempts at goal, it could have dampened the French side’s play-off beano. But, as lighting forked in the sky, Clint Greenshield’s last minute try proved a fitting end to an incredible game.
Having achieved their first objective of cementing their place in September’s play-offs for the first time last Sunday after overcoming Hull FC, the French clubs’ objectives have been modified. Such is their confidence, in only their third season, they now believe they can hunt down Super League leaders St Helens and Leeds Rhinos, who, with four rounds of the normal season to play, have a solitary point advantage.
For Brian McDermott’s Harlequins, who brought over torrential rain from London, things don’t look so rosy. This poor first half showing followed a 54-0 whipping at home to league-leaders St Helens last Saturday, and was their fifth defeat in the last six outings. But after a steely second-half performance McDermott will be heartened, and hopeful of catching Bradford Bulls, who currently occupy sixth place.
Despite conditions that produced comic slides and puddling that Worcestershire’s cricketers would empathise with, Mick Potter’s team, powered by a ferocious forward pack, managed to play bright rugby league. Captain Casey McGuire slipped through a Harlequins tackle on the line to open the scoring after 11 minutes. French scrum-half Thomas Bosc added the extra two points before converting a penalty conceded by the frustrated visitors, starved of possession, ten minutes later.
To underline their first half domination, prop Alex Chan, who leaves the French side at the end of the year, powered over for a converted try after 23 minutes. At 14-0 down at the break, Quins were already wishing they were on the plane back to London Stansted. But former marine McDermott attempted to shake Quins from their lethargy during the interval, and it very nearly worked.
Two minutes after the restart they had pulled a converted score back when Henry Paul’s grubber kick stopped in the water before Scott Hill dived on the ball. Four minutes later Bosc’s pass was intercepted by centre Tony Clubb who raced 70 metres. They then got their noses in front as Rikki Sheriffe touched down after McGuire failed in his attempt to knock the ball dead. Quins skipper Rob Purdham missed his first goal, but his side lead 16-14 with half an hour remaining.
Then Catalans’ full-back and leading scorer Greenshilds, slipped in by Bosc, crashed over for his 14th Super League try after 58 minutes before Chad Randall immediately hit back for the London side. Purdham again fluffed his kick to set up a knife-edge final 20 minutes with the score tied at 20-all.
Olivier Elima thought he had won it for the home side when he slid over with seven minutes remaining, but Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook dropped on a kick with three minutes left. Then, with the final throw of the dice, Bosc skied a kick that Greenshield’s managed to collect and score with, to send the colourful Catalan supports into raptures of delight.
Potter’s club had shocked traditionalists by reaching the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley last August, but in achieving the play-offs they have finally silenced those who criticised the experiment to afford them Super League status. On this performance, full of character, and with this great run, it would surprise no one if they returned for Wembley this year, this time for the Grand Final. If they can inflict defeat on Leeds next week and Wigan Warriors a fortnight later, there is every chance that they will be top of the tree going into September, and gain a favourable draw en route to Super League success.
Catalans: Clint Greenshields, Justin Murphy, John Wilson, Sebastien Raguin, Younes Khattabi, Adam Mogg, Thomas Bosc, Alex Chan, Casey McGuire (captain), Olivier Elima, Jason Croker, Gregory Mounis, Dane Carlaw
Interchange: Jerome Guisset, Remi Casty, Florian Quintilla, Julien Touxagas
Tries: McGuire, Chan, Greenshields 2, Elima
Goals: Bosc 6 (6)
Harlequins: Rikki Sheriffe, Jon Wells, Tony Clubb, David Howell, Will Sharp, Scott Hill, Danny Orr, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Chad Randall, Danny Ward, Robert Purdham (captain), Michael Worrincy, Henry Paul
Interchange: Daniel Heckenberg, Jon Grayshon, Dave Tootill, Dwayne Barker
Tries: Hill, Clubb, Sheriffe, Randall, McCarthy-Scarsbrook
Goals: Purdham 3 (6)
The Catalan Dragons recorded their seventh straight victory by narrowly defeating Harlequins 32-26 on an unseasonably inclement evening at Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan – the first downpour in five months, according to anoraked local reporters. After a brave second-half comeback by Quins, 14-0 down at the break, the result had been in doubt right down to the final hooter. Had visiting captain Rob Purdham not missed three attempts at goal, it could have dampened the French side’s play-off beano. But, as lighting forked in the sky, Clint Greenshield’s last minute try proved a fitting end to an incredible game.
Having achieved their first objective of cementing their place in September’s play-offs for the first time last Sunday after overcoming Hull FC, the French clubs’ objectives have been modified. Such is their confidence, in only their third season, they now believe they can hunt down Super League leaders St Helens and Leeds Rhinos, who, with four rounds of the normal season to play, have a solitary point advantage.
For Brian McDermott’s Harlequins, who brought over torrential rain from London, things don’t look so rosy. This poor first half showing followed a 54-0 whipping at home to league-leaders St Helens last Saturday, and was their fifth defeat in the last six outings. But after a steely second-half performance McDermott will be heartened, and hopeful of catching Bradford Bulls, who currently occupy sixth place.
Despite conditions that produced comic slides and puddling that Worcestershire’s cricketers would empathise with, Mick Potter’s team, powered by a ferocious forward pack, managed to play bright rugby league. Captain Casey McGuire slipped through a Harlequins tackle on the line to open the scoring after 11 minutes. French scrum-half Thomas Bosc added the extra two points before converting a penalty conceded by the frustrated visitors, starved of possession, ten minutes later.
To underline their first half domination, prop Alex Chan, who leaves the French side at the end of the year, powered over for a converted try after 23 minutes. At 14-0 down at the break, Quins were already wishing they were on the plane back to London Stansted. But former marine McDermott attempted to shake Quins from their lethargy during the interval, and it very nearly worked.
Two minutes after the restart they had pulled a converted score back when Henry Paul’s grubber kick stopped in the water before Scott Hill dived on the ball. Four minutes later Bosc’s pass was intercepted by centre Tony Clubb who raced 70 metres. They then got their noses in front as Rikki Sheriffe touched down after McGuire failed in his attempt to knock the ball dead. Quins skipper Rob Purdham missed his first goal, but his side lead 16-14 with half an hour remaining.
Then Catalans’ full-back and leading scorer Greenshilds, slipped in by Bosc, crashed over for his 14th Super League try after 58 minutes before Chad Randall immediately hit back for the London side. Purdham again fluffed his kick to set up a knife-edge final 20 minutes with the score tied at 20-all.
Olivier Elima thought he had won it for the home side when he slid over with seven minutes remaining, but Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook dropped on a kick with three minutes left. Then, with the final throw of the dice, Bosc skied a kick that Greenshield’s managed to collect and score with, to send the colourful Catalan supports into raptures of delight.
Potter’s club had shocked traditionalists by reaching the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley last August, but in achieving the play-offs they have finally silenced those who criticised the experiment to afford them Super League status. On this performance, full of character, and with this great run, it would surprise no one if they returned for Wembley this year, this time for the Grand Final. If they can inflict defeat on Leeds next week and Wigan Warriors a fortnight later, there is every chance that they will be top of the tree going into September, and gain a favourable draw en route to Super League success.
Catalans: Clint Greenshields, Justin Murphy, John Wilson, Sebastien Raguin, Younes Khattabi, Adam Mogg, Thomas Bosc, Alex Chan, Casey McGuire (captain), Olivier Elima, Jason Croker, Gregory Mounis, Dane Carlaw
Interchange: Jerome Guisset, Remi Casty, Florian Quintilla, Julien Touxagas
Tries: McGuire, Chan, Greenshields 2, Elima
Goals: Bosc 6 (6)
Harlequins: Rikki Sheriffe, Jon Wells, Tony Clubb, David Howell, Will Sharp, Scott Hill, Danny Orr, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Chad Randall, Danny Ward, Robert Purdham (captain), Michael Worrincy, Henry Paul
Interchange: Daniel Heckenberg, Jon Grayshon, Dave Tootill, Dwayne Barker
Tries: Hill, Clubb, Sheriffe, Randall, McCarthy-Scarsbrook
Goals: Purdham 3 (6)
Labels: Harlequins Rugby League, Les Catalan Dragons, Super League
