Super League coach unhappy with key decisions

Leigh Leopards and Catalans Dragons collided in a game that reminded Steve McNamara of the club’s play-off defeat to Leeds Rhinos last year.

That game highlighted the problems for Catalans as a club in terms of discipline and that problem resurfaced today.

However, speaking on Sky Sports, Steve McNamara questioned the decision to yellow card Mike McMeeken and Michael McIlorum.

“With the yellow cards, I’m not sure they were yellow cards but it reminded me of the play-off game against Leeds Rhinos last year where we had a bunch of yellow cards and a red card.

“You are not going to win the big games like that, we spent a lot of our off season working on that and the early part of this season.

“We lost it for 40 minutes but we got back on it in the second half.”

He also underlined the ambitions of the club going into the rest of the season:

“We want to finish in the top. You want to win the league but you know that isn’t winning the Grand Final.”

In terms of the game, a late hit from Mike McMeeken and a yellow card saw Leigh nail an early penalty to make it 2-0.

Then, after a Sam Tomkins blunder, an inside ball from John Asiata allowed Tom Amone to tear through and score. He rounded the cover defence for a great try.

Catalans Dragons definitely needed to score next and they came up with a response after Zak Hardaker gave away a penalty. Mitchell Pearce stabbed a kick behind and touched down himself to score.

The Dragons were now on top and stormed 12-8 ahead with a try from Paul Seguier. A great set play from the Dragons with attacking players doubling up on defenders allowing Seguier to carve through.

But then another yellow card for Catalans, this time to Michael McIlorum, paved the way for Leigh to score with Ben Nakubuwai burrowing over from the penalty allowing Ben Reynolds to nail a penalty and make it 14-12.

Then a mess at the back nearly led to a try for Wigan Warriors bound Adam Keighran after a ball bounced off a defender but he was unable to ground the loose ball.

But shortly after Catalans took the lead again when Hull KR bound Tyrone May kicked behind for Tom Davies to score.

May was in the mood in the second half as he dummied, bounced off Ben Reynolds and carved inside wrong footing Ben Nakubuwai who was missing his boot.

The match was settled with another try for the Leopards as Manu Ma’u grounded another kick.