Round 22
Les Catalans Dragons 24 l. Leeds Rhinos 37

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

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

Leeds burst Catalans bubble
Sun July 20, 2008
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Leeds inflicted third-place Catalans' first home defeat since March 8 and kept the pressure on St Helens at the top of the engage Super League after a 37-24 triumph.

Behind at the break, the Rhinos produced a tremendous fightback thanks to the outstanding Ali Lauitiiti that ended the French side's seven-match unbeaten run.

Scott Donald's magnificent try capped the display as the Rhinos went back level with Saints.

Leeds opened the scoring thanks to Lee Smith, with Kevin Sinfield scoring the conversion.

Soon the Dragons began to show why they have been on their unbeaten run ? the guile of halves Casey McGuire and Thomas Bosc perfectly complementing the drive of back rowers Jason Croker and Gregory Mounis.

After Ryan Hall had knocked on around his own 20, Catalans pounced from the scrum, Bosc and Clint Greenshields sending in Cyril Stacul at the corner.

Bosc landed a superb touchline conversion to level in the seventh minute.

Five minutes later, Hall was again exposed when McGuire's towering bomb eluded him and Olivier Elima collected to scamper over for another Bosc-converted try.

With the home defence dominating and Remi Casty, off the bench, producing a series of surging runs, Dragons extended their lead in the 25th minute.

Sebastien Raguin powered over out wide from Bosc's pass, the same man again landing a magnificent touchline conversion.

Leeds cut the gap to 18-10 before the break, Raguin misjudging Danny McGuire's kick to the wing and Hall pouncing to score.

Leeds made the perfect start to the second half in front of a record Dragons attendance of 9,880 as Burrow shot through a gap to score. Kevin Sinfield converted.

Hall made another telling error when knocking on after Catalans had failed to find touch from a penalty and Elima powered through to the posts for his second try, Bosc making it 24-16.

But Elima turned to villain in the 53rd minute when he lost the ball on halfway and from the scrum, Burrow found space to send McGuire over.

The Rhinos took the lead for the first time when Sinfield's inside ball freed Lauitiiti to score. Sinfield converted to make it 24-26.

With six minutes left, an innocuous kick on the last tackle from Julien Touxagas found Donald in space and he scampered 70 metres ? evading three tacklers ? for the try of the game.

Sinfield's third miss kept the match alive but his drop goal three minutes later sealed it and in the closing minute Hall atoned for his early errors with his second touchdown.

Report Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: McClennan hails Rhinos character


Headingley Insight: Leeds v Catalans
Sat July 19, 2008
Source: www.leedsrugby.com

In this week's edition of Headingley Carnegie Insight Leeds Rhinos boss Brian McClennan looks ahead to his side's clash against Catalans Dragons on Saturday 19th July at Stade Gilbert Brutus

How have preparations gone this week?

Obviously going to France has its own challenges but we have managed it well. The players have trained well this week and they are looking forward to the challenge of taking on a form team in Catalan. We lost Brent Webb earlier in the week with a back injury which is unfortunate but our medical staff are working hard with him to try and get him fit for next weeks semi final.

How important is this weeks game?

We have got two very important games in the next fortnight. Catalans and St Helens are the form teams in the engage Super League at the moment so we know we need to improve our game to compete with both teams.

We are really pleased to have Ian Kirke back available after a long lay off and Matt Diskin has recovered really well from his elbow injury. He had been a doubt earlier in the week but it is a credit to him and our medical team that he was available to travel for Saturday.

How dangerous are Catalans?

They are a very dangerous team especially at home. They will be full of confidence after their late wins against Quins last week and their winning run over the past couple of months. Casey McGuire and Clint Greenshields have been crucial for them and Thomas Bosc has directed them around the pitch. We know we are in for a tough challenge but it is one they are looking forward to.

News Source: www.leedsrugby.com

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