Warriors defeated by Dragons

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors fall to defeat against Catalans Dragons at Magic Weekend.
• Warriors scored five tries in the defeat.
• FT | Wigan Warriors 22-46 Catalans Dragons.

Match Report as Wigan Warriors fall to Magic Weekend defeat at the hands of Catalans Dragons at St James’ Park, Newcastle.

Jai Field returned to Matt Peet’s starting line-up for the first time since the Warriors win over Leigh Leopards in Round 7 after overcoming a hamstring injury, whilst Toby King started to mark his 150th Super League appearance.

Report

The Dragons got two points on the board in the opening two minutes as Wigan were penalised for an offside, Arthur Mourgue slotted over the goal to make it 2-0 to Catalans.

Wigan responded with a try in the 8th minute as Jake Wardle collected a pass on the left edge to break the line and get over for the opening try of the game. Harry Smith couldn’t add the extras from the touchline and it was 4-2.

Just a few minutes later though, Catalans got themselves back in the front courtesy of former Warrior Sam Tomkins, the effort was converted by Mourgue and it was 8-4.

A troubling kick from Catalans on the next set saw Smithies collect next to the posts but the Dragons forced an error on the first tackle to reclaim the ball. Shifting it left, Tom Johnstone extended the Catalans lead with a diving effort in the corner, which was unsuccessfully converted by Mourgue for 12-4.

Matt Whitley added another to the Catalans tally as he manoeuvred his way over the whitewash for the Dragons third effort, which was converted by Mourgue to make it 18-4 with 15 minutes left of the opening half.

The full back then added to the tally as the Dragons found themselves in a two-on-one situation on the left edge. Mourgue opted to run it himself, which came off successfully as he crashed over the line, converting his own effort for 24-4.

Bevan French got Wigan back on track with a try past the half hour mark. Good footwork from Abbas Miski saw the Lebanese winger stay in the field of play before getting a pass inside before Cade Cust got a pass away to the fullback to score. Smith pulled the conversion wide of the posts and it was 24-8 at the break.

Catalans extended their lead from the off as a Sam Tomkins kick to the corner was grasped out of the sky by Tom Johnstone to fly in before Matt Whitley added his second of the afternoon on 50 minutes, with Mourgue converting both it was 36-8.

Arthur Romano added Catalans seventh try as he slipped a tackle on the left edge to crash over, Mourgue was successful again from the tee and it was 42-8. Tom Johnstone recorded his hat-trick try just short of the hour with an acrobatic finish on the left edge, Mourgue was unable to convert this time as the score stood 46-8.

Abbas Miski got one back for Wigan in the 65th minute, a long range pass from French to the winger saw him add the footwork to go over. The conversion was missed but a penalty from the try scoring play saw Harry Smith add the two in front of the sticks to make it 46-14.

Liam Marshall also added his name to the scoresheet in the dying minutes as a kick over the top was collected by the winger on the left edge to ease over, Field took over kicking duties but the conversion was missed.

Morgan Smithies was gifted a try at the death as Catalans knocked on at their own goal line for the loose forward to pounce on the ball, the conversion was unsuccessful to see the game end 46-22 to the Dragons.

Gallery:

Wigan Warriors: Bevan French, Abbas Miski, Toby King, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Jai Field, Harry Smith, Kaide Ellis, Sam Powell, Liam Byrne, Morgan Smithies, Liam Farrell, Joe Shorrocks.

Interchange: Cade Cust, Patrick Mago, Harvie Hill, Junior Nsemba.

18th Player: Brad O’Neill

Tries: Wardle (8′), French (33′), Miski (65′), Marshall (76′), Smithies (80′)

Goals: Smith 1/5, Field 0/1

Catalans Dragons: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Johnstone, Matthew Ikuvalu, Arthur Romano, Fouad Yaha, Mitchell Pearce, Sam Tomkins, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Michael McIlorum, Romain Navarrete, Matt Whitley, Mike McMeeken, Ben Garcia.

Interchange: Tyrone May, Julian Bousquet, Paul Seguier, Jordan Dezaria.

18th Player: Alrix Da Costa.

Tries: Tomkins (14′), Johnstone (17′, 42′, 59′), Whitley (23′, 50′), Mourgue (28′), Romano (55′)

Goals: Mourgue 7/9

Referee: Liam Moore