Warriors defeated by Dragons

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors lose to Catalans Dragons in the Betfred Super League.
• Warriors held to nil in a tough game in France.
• FT | Catalans Dragons 28-0 Wigan Warriors.

The Warriors fell to their first defeat of the season at the hands of Catalans Dragons at the Stade Gilbert Brutus on Saturday night.

Converted efforts from Mitchell Pearce and Mickael Goudemand, paired with two penalty goals from Sam Tomkins saw the hosts build up a 16-0 lead in the first half.

Mitchell Pearce got a second at the start of the second half before Samisoni Langi went over to take the Dragons out to 28-0, as the Warriors struggled to get over the goal line, falling to their first defeat of the season.

Report

Matt Peet brought Jake Bibby, Tommy Leuluai and Willie Isa back into the starting line-up in place of Abbas Miski, Harry Smith and Oliver Partington.

Following persistent rain in Perpignan, it was a scrappy opening ten minutes to the game as the wet weather played it’s part with slippy terrain underfoot and the occasional handling error. Catalans had the most of the opening pressure, spending a lot of time close to the Wigan goal line with repeat set restarts, but Wigan soaked up the pressure to keep the scores null.

Both teams were going hammer and tong in the early stages, but it was Catalans who broke the deadlock in the 17th minute. Wigan knocked on in front of their own goal line to allow Catalans a full set from short range, a pass out right saw Mitchell Pearce burst through to touch down, converted by Tomkins for 6-0.

Shortly afterwards Wigan were penalised twice inside their own half and Sam Tomkins added both penalty goal attempts to extend the Dragons lead to 10-0 after 25 minutes.

Wigan, struggling for a string of possession, eventually got some good field time in the Catalans half but they couldn’t take advantage of the opportunity.

Catalans struck again on the stroke of half time, a grubber kick through wasn’t dealt with and the loose ball was pounced on by Mickael Goudemand, the video referee had a good luck but the try was awarded and Tomkins converted to give the hosts a 16-0 lead at the break.

The Dragons extended their lead in the 46th minute, a teasing grubber towards the posts wasn’t wrapped up by Wigan and Mitchell Pearce got his second score of the night, converted by Tomkins for 22-0.

Samisoni Langi added to Catalans lead as he dived on a kick through to the in-goal and the video referee gave the dragons the green light. Tomkins added the extras once more as the French outfit got themselves well out of reach at 28-0.

With Wigan looking to get some points on the board, Dezaria put a big hit on Kaide Ellis, the pair had a coming together in the aftermath and both players were shown red cards. The seconds ticked down as both sides continue to post points but it was the Dragons who took the 28-0 win.

Match Gallery:

Catalans Dragons: Sam Tomkins, Tom Davies, Samisoni Langi, Dean Whare, Arthur Romano, Mitchell Pearce, Josh Drinkwater, Jordan Dezaria, Micky McIlorum, Mike McMeeken, Matt Whitley, Bejamin Jullien, Ben Garcia

Interchanges: Gil Dudson, Mickael Goudemand, Tyrone May, Joe Chan

Tries: Pearce (17′, 46′), Goudemand (38′), Langi (62′)

Goals: Tomkins 6/6

Red Card: Jordan Dezaria

Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Liam Marshall, Jake Bibby, Kai Pearce-Paul, Zak Hardaker, Cade Cust, Thomas Leuluai, Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Kaide Ellis, Liam Farrell, John Bateman, Willie Isa

Interchanges: Patrick Mago, Morgan Smithies, Liam Byrne, Joe Shorrocks

Red Card: Kaide Ellis

Referee: Robert Hicks

Attendance: 7,481