Round 2
Les Catalans Dragons 16 l. Wigan Warriors 18

2007 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Wigan edge late win
Mon February 19, 2007
Source: www.wiganwarriors.com

This game wouldn't probably have taken place with heavy rain and parts of the pitch at the Gilbert Brutus Stadium resembling a lake. Conditions worsened and it was the Wigan Warriors who snatched a late win with a Sean O'Loughlin try and Pat Richards's goal right at the death to record a narrow win. It finished 16-18 to Brian Nobles men.

Just as it looked as if the Warriors would leave empty handed the try and goal with two minutes left saw Wigan home for the first points of the new Super League season.

A game played in torrential rain with standing water saw the home side take the lead on just 4 minutes as the Catalans crashed over to the left of the post through Alex Chan, the conversion was struck by Aaron Gorrell to give the French side the best possible start, 6-0.

The home side were almost in again two minutes later, a great tackle by Chris Ashton held the Warriors line firm as the Dragons player was held over the line on his back.

On 13 minutes the Catalans added to their score with a Gorrell penalty for an alleged swinging arm in the tackle, 8-0.

Wigan tried to respond and were not helped by the referee Ian Smith. On a couple of occasions Mark Calderwood was stopped as he looked to make a quick tap twice on his own twenty and was sent back to play the ball again preventing any Warriors momentum.

Both sides found it hard to control the ball as it turned into a bar of soap as the rain continued to fall.

The Catalans added another two points on 35 minutes again through the boot of Gorrell to make it 10-0.

Wigan hit back a minute later, great work by Barrett and then Gareth Hock sent in Chris Ashton for the Warriors first points of the evening at a crucial time with a try to the left of the posts. Pat Richard hit the extras to make it 10-6 and that's how it stayed until half time.

The Warriors started the second half positively forcing two early goal line drop outs.

The home side denied a try on 46 minutes, Mark Calderwood guilty of losing the ball deep inside his own half. Winger Dimitri Pelo not managing to ground the ball in the corner as Wigan sent across three defenders.

To add to the dramas of the night one of the four floodlights failed, the game continued with still enough light from the other three.

It didn't stop the Dragons as a Casey McGuire kick to the corner was dived on by Justin Murphy for the home sides second try, the conversion was missed, 14-6.

Wigan hit back once more another great move, Barrett and then O'Loughlin combined to send in Phil Bailey on 62 minutes. Richards struck the conversion to make it 14-12. All of a sudden it was game on.

With eight minutes left, Gareth Hock was sin binned for talking back and Gorrell hit a further penalty to make it 16-12.

Just as it looked as if the Dragons would gain their second win against Wigan a late try from Captain Sean O'Loughlin made it all square and the Richards goal from underneath the posts made it 16-18 to Wigan to the delight of the travelling army of cherry and white fans.

Catalans Dragons 16
Team - Clint Greenshields, Justin Murphy, John Wilson, Adam Mogg, Dimitri Pelo, Casey McGuire, Vincent Duport, Aaron Gorrell, Jerome Guisset, Jason Croker, Gregory Mounis, Alex Chan, Adel Fellous.
Subs - David Ferriol. Lionel Teixido, Cyrille Gossard, Remi Casty.
T - Chan, Murphy
G - Gorrell 4

Wigan Warriors 18
Team - Chris Ashton, Mark Calderwood, Phil Bailey, David Vaealiki, Pat Richards, Trent Barrett, Thomas Leuluai, Stuart Fielden, Shane Millard, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Gareth Hock, Bryan Fletcher, Sean O'Loughlin.
Subs - Mickey Higham, Michael Withers, Harrison Hansen, Eamon O'Carroll.
T - Ashton, Bailey, O'Loughlin
G - Richards 3

Referee - Ian Smith

Report source: www.wiganwarriors.com

Article: Noble praises Barrett

Advanced Search