Warriors defeat the Dragons

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors win against Catalans Dragons at Stade Gilbert Brutus.
• The Warriors came from behind to take home the two points.
• FT | Catalans Dragons 18-26 Wigan Warriors.

Match Report as Wigan Warriors beat Catalans Dragons at Stade Gilbert Brutus on Saturday night.

Kaide Ellis made his 100th Career appearance as he captained the Warriors at Stade Gilbert Brutus on Saturday evening.

Wigan opened the scoring through Jai Field before Catalans responded with two from Fouad Yaha and Theo Fages but a late score in the first forty from interchange Tom Forber saw the teams in level at 12-12 at the break.

Wigan hit back in the second half with two quick tries from Junior Nsemba and Adam Keighran, both efforts were converted by Keighran along with a penalty goal to make it 26-12. Romano got a late consolation for the hosts as it finished 26-18 in Wigan’s favour.

Report

It was a fast start to the game in the South of France as Wigan forced a goal line drop out in the opening two minutes as a mistake at the back from Rouge saw Wigan chasing the loose ball for McMeeken to kick the ball dead.

In turn the drop out was allowed to find touch as Wigan had to see out some defensive pressure early on. Matt Peet’s side backed up well though as the score remained 0-0.

Wigan opened the scoring on 9 minutes as Jake Wardle beat the defence to find Adam Keighran who sent Jai Field storming up the centre of the field to dive under the sticks. Keighran added the extras for 6-0.

Another fantastic break followed moments later as Junior Nsemba broke through before finding Jake Wardle but a pinpoint tackle from Catalans saw the Warriors centre knock-on for the Dragons to survive the scare.

The Dragons did hit back in the 14th minute as Fouad Yaha broke the defensive line on half way and raced over to the left corner. Arthur Mourgue added the conversion from out wide and it was 6-6.

The hosts extended their lead on 19 minutes as a hoisted kick was spilled at the back by Wigan, the loose ball was then collected by Theo Fages to ease over under the posts. Mourgue added the conversion once more to make it 12-6.

Wigan had the last say of the half as Tom Forber levelled it just before the hooter. Junior Nsemba went close but quick thinking from the hooker on the next play saw him dart over from close range marking his first senior try for the Club. Adam Keighran added the two to make it 12-12 going into the sheds.

The Warriors struck soon after half time as Junior Nsemba skipped out of a tackle to dive over and get Wigan back in front on 43 minutes. Keighran added the extras to make it 18-12.

Just five minutes later Wigan were in again as Adam Keighran went over for a try against his former Club. Jai Field fed Liam Marshall on the wing to pull in the defence before getting an inside ball to Keighran to cross. The Warriors number 3 converted his own score to hit 24-12.

Just after the hour Wigan received a penalty for a knock-on, the Warriors opted to kick for two-points which Adam Keighran did successfully to make it 26-12 going into the final quarter.

The Warriors looked to finish with a flourish as a clever tap from a penalty saw Jai Field race up the field. before being brought down. Bevan French was then held up just short of the line as Catalans denied Wigan.

Arthur Romano got a late consolation effort on the left edge, which was converted by Mourgue but it was the Warriors who took home the two points in a 26-18 victory.

Gallery:

Catalans Dragons: Cesar Rouge, Tom Davies, Arthur Romano, Matthieu Laguerre, Fouad Yaha, Arthur Mourgue, Theo Fages, Romain Navarrete, Alrix Da Costa, Julian Bousquet, Bayley Sironen, Mike McMeeken, Ben Garcia.

Interchange: Jordan Dezaria, Chris Satae, Paul Seguier, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet.

18th Player: Yacine Ben Abdeslem.

Tries: Yaha (14′), Fages (19′), Romano (78′)

Goals: Mourgue 3/3

Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Adam Keighran, Ethan Havard, Kruise Leeming, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Sam Walters, Kaide Ellis.

Interchange: Liam Byrne, Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree, Tom Forber.

18th Player: Harvie Hill.

Tries: Field (9′), Forber (37′), Nsemba (43′), Keighran (48′)

Goals: Keighran 5/5.

Referee: Chris Kendall.