St Helens climb above Catalans following controversial win

by NRL

St Helens climbed above Catalan Dragons in the Stobart Super League table with a hard-fought victory.

Saints twice came from behind and survived the sending off of Tony Puletua six minutes from time to grab a 20-15 win.

The home side went in front on six minutes through Vincent Duport, who charged over from a set scrum play; Scott Dureau added the goal and then a further penalty goal three minutes later to put his side eight points up.

Saints hit back through a superb solo try from Lance Hohaia under the posts that saw the former Kiwi step dance and flummox the Catalan would-be defenders. Thomas Makinson added the simple conversion to narrow the lead.

The visitors then went ahead as Duport had a nightmare five minutes. First, he presented a forward pass to Damien Blanch before the winger touched down. He then knocked on to give St Helens great field position before missing the all-important tackle on Hohaia prior to the half-back sending out a long pass that allowed Francis Meli to touch down. Makinson missed the tough conversion.

In a see-saw game, the home side were in front again when Sebastien Raguin, having been involved in the build-up, took Leon Pryce's pass over.

Dureau added the conversion as well as a drop goal soon after to give the Dragons a 15-10 lead at the break.

St Helens attacked from the off in the second period and were rewarded when Jonny Lomax came up with a superb short ball to the charging Chris Flannery, who touched down; Makinson added the conversion to give Saints a one-point lead.

The visitors continued to attack and scored again six minutes later; when a high Hohaia kick was allowed to bounce by Catalan stand-in full-back Cryil Stacul, Makinson managed to juggle the ball before putting it down over the line with one hand.

Puletua was sent off as the officials ruled he had attacked Gregory Mounis' head in the tackle, but it mattered little as Saints sealed an impressive victory.

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