Catalans move back into third spot

by NRL

Dragons moved back up to third in Stobart Super League with a convincing win at home to Hull FC.

The game was a rearranged fixture after it had been postponed because of a frozen pitch in February and the Dragons showed the sort of form that has seen them challenge the Super League's top sides this season.

It all started so well for the visitors as they took an early lead through Ben Crooks.

But that was as good as it got for Hull as the Dragons ran in four tries before the half-time interval, Scott Dureau scoring the pick of the bunch with a 90-metre intercept.

Hull could only muster a Tom Briscoe try in response to tries from Leon Pryce, Daryl Millard and a second for Dureau before the half-time hooter sounded.

The Catalans held a 22-8 lead at the interval after Dureau's three goals from four attempts.

After the break it took the home side just two minutes to extend their lead as Millard added his second of the evening after good work by Clint Greenshields and Pryce.

Six minutes later Dureau again intercepted on his own 10-metre line and raced away before Briscoe managed to get back and force the half-back into an offload that found Damien Blanch.

The Ireland international raced down the right touchline to score, taking out the corner flag in the process.

The referee and touch judge decided that it was a good try under the new ruling this season.

Hull briefly stemmed the tide as Briscoe jinked his way back through the Catalan defence for his second try of the game in the 63rd minute.

Joe Westerman added his first goal from three attempts to make the score 32-14, but, with 12 minutes left, Greenshields sealed the win for Catalan with a superb try that saw Dureau put through a reverse kick to allow the full-back the chance to score next to the posts.

Dureau added the conversion, as he did for the eighth and last Catalan try from Greenshields.

The full-back dived over for his second score of the match to add the icing to a top-class Dragons performance.

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