Catalans and Hull KR continued the brilliant opening weekend with a scintillating battle at Headingley. Both sides scored great tries, Hull KR produced a fantastic comeback but Catalans did just enough to win as James Maloney slotted the winning drop goal.
1. Could’ve been a lot easier for Catalans
The Dragons were cruising as they led 28-4. They’d been smart and powerful whilst taking their chances. In the first hour they seemed like the powerhouse they always promise to be and then it all fell apart. Now some of that was down to the brilliance of Hull KR but a series of errors and a touch of ill-discipline allowed Hull KR to force the game to Golden Point but it could’ve been much easier.
2. Ryan Hall is back with a bang
Back at his old stomping ground, Ryan Hall reminded the world of his quality with a superb hat-trick of tries that epitomised his speed, strength and smarts. For all three of his tries he showed great awareness and his all round game saw him nail the basics and cause Catalans issues.
3. Sam Tomkins is the key
It wasn’t the perfect performance from Sam Tomkins or his Catalans side but he showed enough quality throughout the game to confirm that he is the key to Catalans’ success this season. Yes, a lot will depend on the quality of former New South Wales stand-off James Maloney but Catalans looked at their best when Tomkins was chiming into the offensive line, running at defenders and feeding those outside him. Had he not gone off with an injury perhaps the Dragons wouldn’t have needed Golden Point to win it.
Catalans Dragons
29. Sam Tomkins – 8
2. Tom Davies – 6
4. Dean Whare – 6
20. Mathieu Laguerre – 9
5. Fouad Yaha – 7
6. James Maloney – 6
7. Josh Drinkwater – 7
10. Julian Bousquet – 6
14. Alrix Da Costa – 8
17. Mickael Goudemand – 6
11. Matt Whitley – 7
12. Mike McMeeken – 7
13. Benjamin Garcia – 8
Substitutions
1. Arthur Mourgue – 7
16. Paul Seguier – 6
24. Jason Baitieri – 6
28. Sam Kasiano – 7
Hull KR
1. Adam Quinlan – 7
2. Ben Crooks – 6
3. Greg Minikin – 6
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall – 7
5. Ryan Hall – 9
20. Mikey Lewis – 8
7. Jordan Abdull – 7
16. George King – 8
14. Jez Litten – 6
10. Korbin Sims – 7
12. Kane Linnett – 8
13. Dean Hadley – 7
15. George Lawler – 6
Substitutions
8. Albert Vete – 7
9. Matt Parcell – 8
17. Elliot Minchella – 6
18. Matty Storton – 6
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