Leeds Rhinos claimed their first victory in Perpignan since the 2022 Play-Offs, defeating Catalans Dragons 28-6 in a Betfred Super League encounter. The match, played at the Stade Gilbert Brutus, saw Brodie Croft achieve his second hat-trick of the season, contributing significantly to the Rhinos’ dominant performance.
The win extends the Rhinos’ lead at the top of the table, placing them four points ahead of Wigan Warriors. This result also marked a significant milestone for captain Kallum Watkins, who played his 300th game for the club.
Rhinos establish early control
Despite a bright start from the Dragons, the Rhinos quickly took command of the game. Harry Newman scored the opening try in the eighth minute, with Jake Connor’s conversion putting the visitors ahead 6-0. This early score set the tone for Leeds, who maintained their dominance throughout the match.
Croft’s first try came after a series of errors from the Dragons. A well-worked play by Catalans saw Leo Darrelatour break free, but a misplaced pass from Toby Sexton resulted in the ball being dropped short of the try line. Moments later, Lewis Dodd offloaded the ball under pressure, allowing Croft to react quickly and score, extending the Rhinos’ lead.
The Rhinos’ momentum continued, with Lachie Miller also crossing the try line before the break. Miller’s try, following a break from Jarrod O’Connor and an offload from Cameron Smith, was converted by Connor, sending Leeds into half-time with a 16-0 advantage.
Second-half efforts secure victory
The second half saw continued intensity, with both teams engaging in physical play. The Rhinos, however, managed to regain their scoring rhythm as the hour mark approached. Croft secured his second try of the match, showcasing his agility and skill by dummying past Charlie Staines to score his 19th try in all competitions.
Catalans struggled to convert their opportunities, with attempts by Nick Cotric and Leo Darrelatour failing to yield points. The Rhinos capitalised on a mistake from Matthieu Laguerre, which led to O’Connor setting up Croft for his hat-trick try. Connor’s subsequent conversion brought the score to 28-0 with approximately 10 minutes remaining in the game.
The Dragons managed to score a consolation try in the final minute through Ugo Tison, following a 40/20 kick from Dodd. However, this late effort did not alter the outcome, as Leeds secured their seventh consecutive win.
Player milestones and team changes
The fixture was notable for several player milestones within the Rhinos squad. In addition to Watkins’ 300th game for Leeds, Danny Levi reached 200 career games, Jake Connor played his 300th game, and Tom Holroyd achieved 100 games. These individual achievements added to the significance of the victory.
For the Rhinos, Riley Lumb was brought into the squad on the wing, replacing the injured Ryan Hall. This marked Lumb’s first Super League appearance for Leeds since the season opener against Leigh Leopards. Keenan Palasia was also out due to injury, allowing Cooper Jenkins to start alongside Mikolaj Oledzki at prop. Jenkins had to leave the field early due to an eye injury sustained from a hit by the Catalans’ defence.
The Rhinos’ head coach, Brad Arthur, had previously expressed his desire to end the team’s barren run in Perpignan, stating his focus was on performance rather than past records. He had anticipated a strong response from the Dragons, who were coming off a significant defeat to Toulouse Olympique. The Rhinos’ victory demonstrates their ability to perform under pressure and maintain their position at the top of the league.
The match was part of Round 18 of the Betfred Super League, with Sky Sports broadcasting every game live this season, including two exclusive matches each round. The Rhinos’ next set of fixtures will be during Rivals Round, scheduled from July 23-July 26.
The Dragons’ team included Charlie Staines, Nick Cotric, and Matthieu Laguerre, among others. The Rhinos’ lineup featured Lachie Miller, Maika Sivo, and Ash Handley. The match referee was Liam Moore, who intervened during a second-half clash between the teams, sparked by a late hit from Ben Condon on Connor.
Maika Sivo, who had scored in 10 successive games prior to this match, was seeking to equal the Super League record set by Richard Horne in 2006. Despite opportunities, Sivo did not add to his scoring streak in this fixture, with a wide pass from Miller being halted by Cotric and Laguerre.
The Rhinos’ win, their first in Perpignan since the 2022 Play-Offs, was secured with a final score of 28-6.
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Source: skysports.com
