Round 17
Les Catalans Dragons 45 d. Wigan Warriors 38

2008 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Greenshields inspires Catalans to win over Wigan
Sun June 15, 2008
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Full-back Clint Greenshields produced an inspired performance to help Catalans Dragons keep the pressure up in the engage Super League with a 45-38 victory over Wigan Warriors.

The 26-year-old Australian ran over a hat-trick of tries as Dragons bounced back from a first-half deficit with a strong performance after the interval.

Dragons scrum-half Thomas Bosc was also in form with the boot as he was successful with eight kicks to help the home side take the victory which left them a point behind second-placed St Helens and five points behind table-topping Leeds Rhinos.

Wigan winger Pat Richards opened the scoring in the 10th minute when he touched down before he kicked the extras to give Wigan an early advantage in perfect weather conditions.

The Dragons hit back immediately and centre John Wilson ran over the home side's first try of the match as Bosc then converted and then kicked another goal to give the Catalans the lead.

Defence became the watchword for both sides after an open first 15 minutes but the Warriors took the lead again in the 23rd minute through substitute Joel Tomkins.

Richards confidently kicked the extras but again the Dragons refused to lie down and a try from Greenshields brought them back into the game as Bosc again showed his prowess with the boot.

Brian Noble's side showed plenty of character though and centre George Carmont crossed the line and Richards converted to give Wigan a 18-14 half-time advantage.

Both teams continued to play open rugby after the interval and the Dragons wrested the lead from their opponents thanks to second-row Olivier Elima who ran over five minutes after the restart.

Bosc again converted the extras but Richards, who kicked seven times in the match, kept his composure with the boot moments later to level the scores at 20-20.

A four-minute spell from the Dragons took the game away from the Warriors as tries from Adam Mogg (57) and Greenshields (60) gave them control of the match.

Bosc again made no mistake with the boot in front of just under 10,000 spectators at the Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan.

Prop Andy Coley went over the try-line in the 64th minute with Richards again on song but a try from Sebastien Raguin three minutes later maintained the lead for Michael Potter's side.

Greenshields ran over this third try of the game with 10 minutes remaining which Bosc converted to open up a sizeable advantage.

But Brian Noble's side showed their fighting spirit and tries in the final from six minutes from Iafeta Paleaaesina and Cameron Phelps either side of Mogg's drop goal for Catalans reduced the gap.

The Warriors attempted a late push but the Dragons held on to hooter to take the victory.

Report Source: www.superleague.co.uk

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