Round 26
Les Catalans Dragons 20 l. Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 34

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

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

Wakefield secure top six finish
Sun September 6, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Ryan Atkins and Luke George scored two tries apiece as Wakefield Wildcats killed off a Catalans Dragons fightback to equal their best-ever engage Super League tally.

The Dragons fought back from an 18-10 half-time deficit to lead 20-18 but the Wildcats produced a strong finish to secure a top-six finish with three tries in the final 25 minutes.

Sam Obst also got on the scoresheet while Huddersfield Giants-bound Brad Drew kicked five goals and Danny Brough, on the bench on his return from suspension, added two late on.

Sebastien Raguin and Casey McGuire both touched down twice for the Dragons but the Frenchmen were unable to hold on and they will still have work to do in their final game next week to claim a play-off place.

Wakefield first edged ahead with two penalties from hooker Drew, who this morning confirmed he would be rejoining the Giants next season, inside the first 15 minutes.

Atkins then found his way over the Catalans line for the opening try and Drew's third goal handed the visitors a 10-0 lead.

The Dragons got themselves onto the scoresheet as Raguin, who has missed most of the season with a knee injury, crossed after 23 minutes.

Obst, preferred at scrum-half to Brough, then found his way over but the powerful Raguin, playing in the centres, responded immediately with his second try and Thomas Bosc converted.

That cut the deficit to 16-10 but Drew gave the Wildcats, after losing Sean Gleeson to injury, extra breathing space with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

The Dragons started the second half brightly as hooker McGuire finished off a flowing move down the left but Bosc was unable to add the extras.

Kevin Walters' men then upped the tempo and McGuire grabbed another try moments later and converted himself to hand the hosts the lead for the first time.

But the Wildcats were not finished and got themselves back in front as George took advantage of confusion in the Dragons defence to score.

Catalans applied more pressure but Wakefield took a firm grip on the game as Atkins claimed his second and Brough, resuming regular kicking duties after entering the action, added the extra two.

That proved a hammer blow to the Dragons and George wrapped up the win six minutes from time as he crossed for his second and Brough kicked the goal.

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