Catalans Dragons were unable to overcome Hull FC tonight at the MKM Stadium as the Black and Whites ran out 14-8 winners.
The French side scored one try in either half through Fouad Yaha and Mitchell Pearce, but two missed conversions from elusive fullback Arthur Mourgue meant that they ended up losing the game due to missed goal kicks.
And, for Dragons head coach Steve McNamara that was what he drew attention to, complimenting both sides for how they went about the game after such a short turnaround.
“It was a really tough game and the goal kicking was the difference,” McNamara said on Sky Sports following the game.
“It was a really top end game for both sides – the completion rate was high and it came down to some margins.
“They managed to create a little bit more ruck speed throughout the game.
“I thought we set the second-half up as we created some field position and if we had been more clinical we would have got them there.”
There was a worrying sight for Catalans when talismanic halfback Josh Drinkwater limped off with a bad-looking injury and McNamara did not give a good prognosis.
“He heard a crack in his foot and I don’t think anyone was around him – those ones are always the most worrying.”