Catalans Dragons maintained their grip on top spot in the Betfred Super League fighting back from behind against Leeds Rhinos to come out 18-26 victors at the Emerald Headingley Stadium.
An early Arthur Mourgue try saw the Dragons go ahead and two James Maloney goals either side of the young Frenchman’s effort saw the visitors take an 0-8 lead.
Leeds hit back however with three unanswered tries before half-time. Papua New Guinea International Rhyse Martin was the first to go over for the Rhinos on the 15-minute mark.
Fellow forward Bodene Thompson forced his way over midway through the first half before Liam Sutcliffe furthered the Rhinos’ lead just before the interval. Sam Kasiano found himself in the sin-bin for the final minutes of the first half.
But two tries in quick succession from English duo Matt Whitley and Mike McMeeken pulled the Dragons level. McMeeken’s leveller came on the back of some clever play from Maloney who carved open the Leeds defensive line.
With 17 minutes remaining, the Dragons pushed the ball wide and winger Fouad Yaha was simply too strong for the Leeds defence and Mourgue’s conversion gave Steve McNamara’s men an eight-point lead which they would hold on to.
Elsewhere, St Helens overcame Wakefield Trinity, 14-30, at the Mobile Rocket Stadium.
The Saints only outscored Wakefield four tries to three however seven goals from Lachlan Coote’s boot helped Kristian Woolf’s side seal a more comfortable scoreline.
Tommy Makinson, Lewis Dodd, Mark Percival and Coote were the St Helens try-scorers while Innes Senior notched a brace for Wakefield alongside Lee Kershaw’s effort.
Betfred Super League Results:
Friday 9 July
- Leeds Rhinos 18-26 Catalans Dragons
- Wakefield Trinity 14-30 St Helens
