Warriors demolish the Dragons
- Match Report as Wigan Warriors beat Catalans Dragons at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.
- Abbas Miski scored three of six Wigan tries as the Warriors closed the gap at the top of the table.
- FT | Catalans Dragons 0-34 Wigan Warriors.
Wigan Warriors produced an emphatic performance to defeat Catalans Dragons 34-0 at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.
The Warriors dominated the top of the table clash as tries from Abbas Miski (x2), Toby King and Bevan French built a 22-0 lead at the break.
Miski completed his hat-trick at the start of the second half, as Harry Smith hit 500 points for the Warriors in the victory.
Report
Tyler Dupree, who was introduced from the bench after three minutes as a blood replacement for Liam Byrne, produced a big hit on Adam Keighran to force a knock on. From the scrum the Warriors worked the ball wide to Jai Field who broke the line, but the Dragons scrambled well to keep the fullback out.
The Warriors’ strong start continued as Miski and French combined to force a drop out, before a delicate kick in behind from French was touched down by Miski to open the scoring after 10 minutes.
The hosts came forward for the first time after 20 minutes, however, a fantastically timed tackle from Kai Pearce-Paul initially halted the attack, before Miski stood firm on the final tackle to bring Keighran into touch metres out.
The Warriors turned defence into attack as a perfectly weighted kick from Smith was collected in the air by Miski who offloaded to King for a simple score in the corner. The kick from Smith was accurate to increase the lead to 10 points after 25 minutes.
Despite missing out on the opportunity to add two points from the tee after half an hour, the Warriors added a third try before the interval after French burst through the line to ground. Smith was successful once more with an inch-perfect kick from the touchline.
The Warriors rounded off a fantastic first half performance with a fourth try on the hooter as French once again broke the line before offloading to Miski for his second of the match. Smith was accurate with the kick to send Wigan into the break 22-0 ahead.
Wigan restarted strongly, and after a handling error from the Dragons presented the Warriors with possession, the ball was worked wide to Field who set Miki up for his hat-trick in the corner. Smith added the extras from the tee to increase the lead to 28-0 after 48 minutes.
The Warriors continued to defend firmly to keep the Dragons out, and their hard work was rewarded once more in attack as Smith’s pass was guided into the path of Jake Wardle who was able to pick up the loose ball and touch down between the sticks. Smith added the extras to surpass 500 Wigan points.
Despite a late penalty being awarded to the Dragons, a massive hit from Byrne forced the knock on as the Warriors completed a fifth win in a row while recording the biggest margin of victory in Perpignan.
Gallery:
Catalans Dragons: Sam Tomkins, Tom Davies, Arthur Romano, Adam Keighran, Tom Johnstone, Mitchell Pearce, Tyrone May, Mike McMeeken, Micky McIlorum, Romain Navarrete, Matt Whitley, Paul Seguier, Benjamin Garcia.
Interchange: Arthur Mourgue, Julian Bousquet, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Manu Ma’u.
18th Player: Mickael Goudemand.
Tries: N/A
Goals: N/A
Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Toby King, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Liam Byrne, Brad O’Neill, Kaide Ellis, Kai Pearce-Paul, Liam Farrell, Morgan Smithies.
Interchange: Sam Powell, Patrick Mago, Junior Nsemba, Tyler Dupree.
18th Player: Joe Shorrocks.
Tries: Miski (9′, 39′, 48′), King (24′), French (36′), Wardle (76′).
Goals: Smith (5/7).
Referee: Liam Moore.
