Late drop-goal gives Catalans win over Giants

Betfred Super League

Huddersfield (10) 22

Tries: Bibby, Naiqama, Hewitt, Lolohea Goals: Connor 3

Catalans (14) 23

Tries: Sironen, Tomkins, Yaha, Romano, Ikuvalu Goal: Mourgue Drop-goal: Mourgue

Arthur Mourgue’s late drop-goal gave Super League play-off chasers Catalans Dragons a vital win at Huddersfield Giants.

Two quickfire tries from Sam Hewitt and Tuimoala Lolohea brought Giants level with nine minutes to go.

But the hosts spilled the ball inside their own half to give Mourgue the chance of a drop-goal, which he accepted and Catalans closed out the game.

Earlier, tries from Bayley Sironen, Sam Tomkins and Fouad Yaha put the visitors 14-10 up at half-time with Jake Bibby and Kevin Naiqama replying for the Giants.

Catalans stretched clear after the break with further scores from Arthur Romano and Matt Ikuvalu before the late drama meant they had to win it with the boot.

The French side move up to fifth in the table and are six points clear of seventh-placed Leeds Rhinos, who have a fixture in hand.

Catalans went into the game at the John Smith’s Stadium looking to bounce back from Sunday’s surprise defeat by bottom side London Broncos.

They only had to wait until the third minute to get on the board as Sironen finished off a sweeping move to dot down.

Tomkins, playing his third game since reversing his retirement, showed quick feet to breeze in for Catalans’ second try and Yaha soon put them 14-0 up.

But Bibby and Naiqama reduced the deficit to four points at the break as the hosts showed plenty of fight, despite being out of the play-off picture.

Catalans lost Tomkins to a leg injury in between Romano and Ikuvalu’s fourth and fifth tries but the game looked safe at 22-10 up.

However, Hewitt blasted over from close range and Lolohea raced clear with Jake Connor converting both to make it 22-22.

Catalans were given one more chance when Huddersfield fumbled the ball and Mourgue gratefully accepted.

Huddersfield interim boss Luke Robinson:

“We lost because we didn’t start well enough or (show) the intensity that we have done in the last few weeks.

“We made too many one-on-one defensive errors and they were just really weak tackles for certain tries.

“I just thought that, in the big moments when the game was on the line, a couple of players just didn’t hold their nerve and were a little bit indecisive.”

Catalans coach Steve McNamara:

“We were hugely disappointed with our performance last week, clearly, in terms of losing at London. We knew we had to respond tonight.

“Arthur Mourgue has been kicking great all year. He missed one last weekend and he missed some there tonight. But he held his nerve for the drop goal, which was really important.”

“Sam (Tomkins) has hurt his hamstring. We’re not sure at this stage (how serious it is). He’s been great for us and has been playing really well.”

Huddersfield: Connor, McGowan, Bibby, Naiqama, Halsall, Lolohea, Russell, Hill, Milner, Savelio, Hewitt, Rushton, Cudjoe.

Interchanges: Deakin, Ikahihifo, Livett, Rogers, Billington.

Catalans: Tomkins, Davies, Romano, Ikuvalu, Yaha, Mourgue, Fages, Navarette, Da Costa, Dezaria, Garcia, Sironen, Bousquet.

Interchanges: Satae, Maria, Aispuro-Bichet, Wallace, Seguier.

Referee: Tom Grant