Sat September 26, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.ukCatalans Dragons are just 80 minutes away from a maiden engage Super League Grand Final appearance after completing a hat-trick of surprise end-of-season away victories.
The Perpignan club, who made the engage Super League play-offs because the system was expanded to the top eight clubs, followed up their shock wins over St Helens and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats by ending the hopes of Carnegie Challenge Cup finalists Huddersfield Giants.
Tries in the final quarter from winger Dimitri Pelo and second rower Olivier Elima eventually settled an uncompromising preliminary semi-final at the Galpharm Stadium after defences dominated for an hour.
The Catalans must now make a fourth successive visit to England next weekend to take on Leeds Rhinos or St Helens in the semi-finals as they seek to emulate Australian club Parramatta in reaching the Grand Final from eighth place.
The Giants were boosted by the return of suspended front-row duo Keith Mason and Scott Moore, as well as injured pair Jamahl Lolesi and David Faiumu, although hooker Shaun Lunt was a late withdrawal with flu.
However, the home side had to re-shuffle after losing Lolesi just 75 seconds into the match when he was badly hurt attempting a tackle on Elima which set the tone for a bruising opening quarter peppered with penalties.
Catalans conceded four penalties in the first nine minutes for foul play which enabled the home side to pile on the pressure.
The visitors' defence held firm, though, and Walters' men took the lead on 19 minutes when influential stand-off Adam Mogg got Clint Greenshields on an arcing run to the corner and the full-back managed to touch down despite the attention of three defenders.
As the penalty count turned around, the Mogg-Greenshields partnership caused all sorts of problems for Huddersfield's defence while the Catalans managed to keep a tight rein on the Giants' dangerous attacker Brett Hodgson.
It needed a flash of inspiration by scrum-half Luke Robinson to draw Huddersfield level as he jinked his way through the first line of defence and evaded Greenshields on a mazy run to the line five minutes before half-time.
Hodgson's goal edged his side in front but Greenshields thought he had restored the visitors' lead when he successfully ran back Hodgson's kick from 60 metres out only to have the try disallowed for an obstruction by team-mate Julien Touxagas.
It was just as tight and tense in the second half with defences still very much on top.
If anything, the exchanges became even more brutal and referee Steve Ganson struggled to keep tempers in check as the game entered the final quarter with no addition to the score.
Twice Catalans captain Greg Bird was warned by the official for over-zealous tackles by his team but it all added to the excitement of an old-fashioned war of attrition.
The deadlock was eventually broken on 62 minutes when Pelo dribbled the ball to the corner and won the race to the touchdown.
Thomas Bosc made up for his earlier miss by landing the touchline conversion and then combined with Bird to get Elima over for the clinching try 10 minutes from the end.
Mon September 21, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.ukWildcats and Tigers eliminated as Rhinos win the opportunity to choose their opponents.
After victories over the weekend, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens are both just 80 minutes away from reaching the engage Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 10, however for both Wakefield Wildcats and Castleford Tigers the dream is over for another year.
Under the innovative new eight team play-off format the Rhinos courtesy of finishing top of the league and beating Hull KR in the Qualifying Play-Off have earned 'ClubCall' ? the opportunity to choose their semi-final opponents from the winners of next week's two Preliminary Semi Finals - a first for any world sport.
This means that Brian McClennan's men can choose to play the winners of Friday's Huddersfield versus Catalans clash or Saturday's fixture between Hull KR and Wigan Warriors.
Should Leeds win their semi-final then they will be just one game away from becoming the first team in the Super League era to win three consecutive Grand Finals.
However, should Saints reach Old Trafford then it will be their fourth consecutive final appearance and, after losing the last two to Leeds, Mick Potter's team will be determined to get one over the Rhinos especially after the pulsating clash the two played out in Round 26.
After the first week of the play-offs six teams remain with Wakefield Wildcats and Castleford Tigers the two sides eliminated following their respective defeats.
Tickets for the engage Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford are still available and start from £16. To purchase please call 0844 856 11 13 or visit
www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk.
Comprehensive 2008 Super League Regular Season Stats
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Finals Week 2
Huddersfield Giants 6 l. Catalans Dragons 16
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