While against Leigh, Benjamin Garcia’s partners achieved nothing, this time they knew how to feed off opposing errors to make an impression from the start of the match and lead 22-0 in the 27th minute with 4 tries to 0 (Davies 2nd, Fages, 7th, Romano 15th, and Johnstone 25th). Rediscovered offensive efficiency, thanks to effective kicking from Théo Fages and Jordan Abdull – back in the starting XIII after a week in the stands – responsible for three of the first four tries. But also thanks to Matt Ikuvalu, omnipresent this Saturday after two difficult meetings.
During this almost perfect first period, the Catalan Dragons were able to stifle their opponents without conceding the slightest penalty to the Giants.
A glaring excitement in the second half
Unfortunately for Steve McNamara’s men, the party did not last during the second act. Once again feverish, lacking defensive rigor, the “Dracs” began to thwart. Chris Hill and his partners took no time to get back into the game and took the opportunity to score two tries by Harry Rushton (56th) in power and Ashton Golding after a kicking game in the Catalan defense (58th, 22-12 ).
Then 10 minutes later, a cap test gave the Perpignans a cold sweat. He followed an Adam Milner pass into the head of Luke Yates, who was going to score on his own while the Dragons, thinking of an opposing forward, had stopped playing (22-18).
A lack of control which was not very reassuring but which fortunately had no consequences, since Bernard Guasch’s players were able to resist at the end of the match to hold the score.
Thanks to this capital success, the Dragons, provisional fifth, return to level with Salford, who will face St Helens this Sunday.
After a week of international break, during which the Blues will challenge England next Saturday at Ernest-Wallon (3:30 p.m.), the Dragons will return to the Super League on July 5 with a trip to Hull KR.
