Catalans Dragons and Wigan Warriors came into this evengs match in Perpignan with two very differents agendas. For the home side it was important to build some momentum ahead of next Saturday’s Challenge Cup final while avoiding any injuries to key personnel. For Wigan Warriors the win was important to maintain their push for a top two finish and a home tie in the play-offs as they seek a place in the Old Trafford showpiece.
The Dragons coach Steve McNamara made a host of changes to the side which lost heavily at Warrington in the Cup Final dress rehearsal last time out, but coach Wane had the luxury of naming the same seventeen which triumphed over Castelford Tigers in round twenty-four.
After a stuttering start Joe Greenwood beat Sam Moa to score from five metres out to give Wigan the lead after ten minutes. Sam Tomkins added the conversion, in front of his employers for 2019, for a 6-0 lead.
Four minutes from the interval, a Sam Tomkins break saw him feed Morgan Escare to enable the former home favourite to go sixty metres to score under the sticks. Tomkins added the conversion to put his side 12-0 ahead.
Two minutes later and Escare was in again, picking up a loose pass off the ground before running thirty-five metres to score by the posts. Tomkins added the conversion for a 18-0 lead at the interval, the visitors deserving of their interval lead against a Dragons side with few idea in attack.
Two minutes after the restart Tony Clubb crashed the line at first receiver from three metres our to extend the score. Tomkins was unable to add the conversion.
Fouad Yaha got the Dragons first try of the game on forty eight when he collected a Josh Drinkwater kick to the left corner and ground before he was pushed into touch. Drinkwater added the conversion from the touchline.
The Warriors fifth try came on the counter attack after Willie Isa dislodged the ball in the tackle. George Williams took the pass twenty from the line and jinked his way past two tacklers to score in the right hand corner. Tomkins kicked a brilliant touchline conversion for a 28-6 lead and to seal the points with twenty minutes remaining on the clock.
Joe Greenwood got his second of the game on sixty-seven, taking a Williams pass and stepping through a broken Dragons defence to go ten metres. Tomkins added the conversion for a 34-6 lead.
Sam Tomkins kicked a one point field goal on the final hooter to seal a 35-6 win.
This was a confident and comprehensive Wigan performance against a very disappointing Catalans Dragons. Steve McNamara will be hoping that this was simply cup final nerves rather than a total loss of form just before the most crucial game of their season. Shaun Wane’s side are now three points clear of the Tigers and looking increasingly certain of a second place finish and a home play-off berth.
Dragons: Albert, Tierney, Thornley, Wiliame, Yaha (T), Langi, Drinkwater (G), Moa, McIlorum, Maria, Jullien, Edwards, Baitieri. Subs: Anderson, Bousquet, Da Costa, Goudemand.
Warriors: Tomkins S (5G, DG), Davies, Isa, Sarginson, Marshall, Williams (T), Leuluai, Navarrete, Powell, Flower, Greenwood (2T), Bateman, Hamlin. Subs: Escare (2T), Clubb (T), Sutton, Partington.
Referee: Greg Dolan.
Half-Time: 0-18.
Full-Time: 6-35.
Attendance: .
