Steve McNamara explains why Catalans Dragons didn’t beat Hull FC by more last night

Yesterday, Catalans bounced straight back after a deflating defeat against Huddersfield last week.

They came up with a very complete first half taking a 20-0 lead at the break. The second stanza wasn’t so impeccable as they won that 16-8 squandering a number of chances.

After the game, Steve McNamara spoke about the pride he felt at his side’s response to their defeat last week but also noted the work that still needed doing as the Dragons failed to maintain their dominance in the game: “I’m happy with the response, with the reaction from the players. It was a difficult week. I said last week, when we’ve lost games an improvement has been made.

“First half very good, clinical from us. Second half there’s work to be done we needed to be more clinical. I think if our completion rate was higher in the second half I think we put a real score on.

He also gave an injury update on two key players who exhibited worrying signs yesterday but revealed one star could return next time out against Castleford: “Sam Kasiano has been really sore for a few weeks now with his sternum and Mitchell Pearce picks something up at the end of the game so they’re just being checked out now.

“Josh Drinkwater has a chance of being back for the next game.”