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Catalans Dragons 24-22 Wakefield Trinity: Highlights, player ratings and talking points

A break away from the continuous storms of the UK saw Catalans Dragons host Wakefield Trinity in the South of France in an eyebrow raising contest as the two teams came into the contest on the back of disappointing Round One defeats.

The Dragons lived up to their favourites tag as they got their 2022 season up and running but had to work for it against a resilient Wakefield outfit who ended the match just two points away from last year’s league leaders.

Highlights:

Tom Johnstone’s two tries

The Wakefield flyer has always had a reputation for knowing where the try line is and tonight, he found it twice. Finishing off a delicate cross-field kick from Brad Walker before side-stepping Sam Tomkins for his second, Johnstone proved to be one of the stand out performers for Trinity on the night. Moving forward he’ll continue to be key to Trinity’s hopes of success.

The prolific winger has scored three tries in two games to start the season

Set piece for Fouad Yaha try

The Dragons showed their class during the first half with a try on the first tackle from the scrum base. Some slick handling allowed big winger Fouad Yaha to cross unopposed. These touches of class helped guide the Dragons to victory.

Tom Lineham full length effort

He went close twice previously but Tom Lineham was able to find the try line on his third time. He intercepted before going a full 90 metres to score, unfortunately it was too little too late as they just missed out in a 24-22 defeat but this try underlined just how close Wakefield were to the Dragons on the night. They can take plenty of positives from the contest.

Major Talking Points

Slow start for the Dragons?
Yes, it is early days but the Catalans Dragons have somewhat stuttered in their opening two matches, despite many tipping them for Grand Final glory come September. Okay, they won but they did struggle from time to time throughout and against a Wakefield side with many players out, surely a heavier win was expected?

Wakefield’s promising half-backs
Wakefield were always up against it heading in to this one and though they just missed out, they showed plenty of promise, especially through both Brad Walker and Harry Bowes. Both youngsters produced some exciting rugby league which was great to see, especially as they both had to be drafted in following injuries to Jacob Miller and Lee Gaskell. A sign of things to come? Both players seem to have promising futures in the game moving forward.

Sam Tomkins: Match winner
Factually, this is correct. Sam Tomkins’ penalty goal mathematically proved to be the match winner on the night. However, he did lead by example in the game, having a hand in more than one of his side’s tries and even helped them produce some free flowing rugby. Without him, perhaps the win could have gone the other way? His experience and quality was crucial in his side’s first win of 2022.

Player Ratings:

Catalans Dragons
29 Sam Tomkins – 8
18 Mathieu Laguerre – 8
4 Dean Whare – 7
3 Samisoni Langi – 7
5 Fouad Yaha – 8
6 Mitchell Pearce – 7
7 Josh Drinkwater – 7
17 Mickael Goudemand – 6
9 Michael McIlorum – 8
23 Jordan Dezaria – 8
11 Matt Whitley – 7
12 Michael McMeeken – 7
13 Benjamin Garcia – 7
Substitutes
14 Alrix Da Costa – 6
20 Tyrone May – 6
27 Joe Chan – 7
28 Sam Kasiano – 7

Wakefield Trinity
1 Max Jowitt – 8
5 Tom Lineham – 7
16 James Batchelor – 7
30 Corey Hall – 7
2 Tom Johnstone – 8
24 Harry Bowes – 7
21 Brad Walker – 7
8 Eddie Battye – 7
9 Liam Hood – 7
10 Tinirau Arona – 7
13 Jay Pitts – 7
11 Matty Ashurst – 6
14 Jordan Crowther – 7
Substitutes
15 Jai Whitbread – 7
19 Liam Kay – 7
22 Yusuf Aydin – 6
29 Isaac Shaw – 6

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