Round 15
Les Catalans Dragons 32 d. Leeds Rhinos 30

2009 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Catalans steal stunning last minute win over Leeds
Mon June 8, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Catalans Dragons winger Cyril Stacul scored a try in the corner 30 seconds from time to give his side a deserved 32-20 success over Leeds Rhinos - the French side's result of the season to date.

The hosts led 28-12 in the 69th minute after scoring 18 unanswered points at the start of the second half, before Leeds rallied with three tries in eight astonishing minutes to lead 28-26 going into the final set of six.

From a short kick-off, Lee Smith spilled the ball and the excellent Thomas Bosc and superb Adam Mogg created space for Jason Croker to send in his winger for the clinching score.

Bosc missed the conversion after the hooter but his six successful kicks won an ultimately breathless match which ended five tries all.

Catalans were without stellar full-back Clint Greenshields for the first time since he joined them from St George in 2007, a run of 68 consecutive matches.

However, elder statesman Croker returned from a two-month absence with a broken cheekbone - he was drafted in as an emergency centre.

Bosc shifted to full-back for Greenshields, while Mogg covered in the unfamiliar role of scrum-half in a side containing nine players who will turn out for France against England in Paris next Saturday. Influential hooker Casey McGuire also returned to the Dragons line-up.

Rhinos went with Danny Buderus on the bench, meaning a start for Matt Diskin and Ali Lauitiiti - who came in for injured Jamie Jones-Buchanan.

However, within three minutes the visitors had lost Ian Kirke, carried off on a stretcher with a serious looking leg injury which resulted in a five-minute delay.

Rhinos dominated the opening territory, Diskin being held up on the last tackle on the Dragons goal line early on - but the contest was a rugged, forward-dominated affair for the opening quarter hour.

Catalans held their line commendably - Greg Bird marshalling the forces well - and raised the siege when Stacul's kick on the last forced a drop out.

On the last tackle, Mogg's cross-kick to the left was well taken by Steven Bell for the opening try, Bosc converting well from out wide.

A huge hit on Bosc on his own 10-metre line forced the ball free and Danny McGuire beautifully stepped the hitherto rigid home defensive line to go over near the posts. Kevin Sinfield levelled with the extras.

The passionate home fans were incensed when England skipper Jamie Peacock was penalised for a high tackle on Bird, Bosc kicking a penalty soon after for the visiting markers not being square to make it 8-6.

Squandered possession on their own line again cost the Dragons, though, Remi Casty knocking on, and McGuire punished them just after the half-hour, inter-passing with Keith Senior to go over out wide. Sinfield converted.

In the final play of the half, Leeds were again penalised in front of the posts for holding down, Bosc initially shaping to run the ball but kicking the points to cut the deficit to two points at the break.

Catalans exerted initial pressure at the start of the second period and were rewarded when they capitalised on three sets of six on the Leeds line, Bird putting Jean Philippe-Baile into a hole to give them the lead.

With the home pack on top and Bosc and Mogg pulling the strings, the Dragons dominated, Olivier Elima posting a brace of tries in six minutes.

His first was from acting half-back following another scintillating scrum move, before he latched on to Bosc's pinpoint kick on the last tackle after another Mogg break.

But the hosts were rocked by a Leeds revival started by some virtuoso play from new England winger Ryan Hall, who grubbered for himself and collected the bounce to go over out wide.

Sinfield converted and then produced the short pass to set Diskin free, Lauitiiti finishing strongly.

From the restart, Buderus broke clear and sent in Brent Webb, Sinfield's perfect kicking record seeing the Rhinos ahead and on schedule to cut the gap at the top of the table to one point.

But they reckoned without one last twist, Bird and Bosc at the centre of the Dragons' final throw which proved to be decisive to send their 8,000 fans into ecstasy.


Headingley Insight: Leeds v Catalans
Sat June 6, 2009
Source: www.therhinos.co.uk

In this weeks edition of Headingley Carnegie Insight Brian McClennan looks ahead to his side's trip to Catalans this Saturday, kick off 6:15pm (local time).


HOW HAVE PREPARATIONS GONE FOR THIS WEEKS GAME?
There has obviously been quite a bit of time since our last game when we played Hull FC so we were able to break up training a bit. Last week we did some cardio fitness work before giving the guys a couple of days off over the weekend and everyone came back refreshed and looking forward to the trip to Catalans.

The players worked really hard and we have been able to employ some new techniques to track their efforts and we have been pleased with the results. The medical team have been working with the injured players and that has given us the best possible chance of having everyone available but as usual we won't risk anyone who we feel is not ready to play.

HOW IMPORTANT IS PLANNING FOR THE GAME IN PERPIGNAN?
It is very important that you have your preparations in place for the trip to Perpignan. Lessons have been learnt each year that the Dragons have been in the competition. We have given ourselves an extra days preparation, as we did last year, and that was an important win for us last year. They were in third and could have over taken us in second but winning there was crucial for us. That is the case again this year because we want to keep up the momentum from our last three games.

HOW ARE YOU APPROACHING SATURDAY'S GAME?
This is the first game of a run of games before the next break for the semi final of the Carnegie Challenge Cup. It is important for us to get off to a good start for this run of games because we want to build up our performances.

Catalans are a strong side, especially in the forwards, and they have tested us in the two meetings we have already had this year. In Thomas Bosc they have a player who can control a game.

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