FORUMS FORUMS






RLFANS.COM
Celebrating
25 years service to
the Rugby League
Community!

  

Game two of Saturday at the Magic Weekend started with high expectations of a classic in the Newcastle sun as second placed Wigan Warriors faced a Catalans Dragons in third spot with both sides looking for the win to go to the top of the table, providing it was by enough points.

Wigan needed to win by more than eight points, while the Dragons needed a winning margin of more than fourteen, whoever won would then hope that Hull FC could do them a favour and record a second consecutive loss for the league leaders, the Warrington Wolves.

The Warriors were favourites for the win, the Dragons given a six-point start on the coupon, and those backing the Warriors would have been delighted to see the return of Jai Field to their ranks, but the Dragons had players returning too, including former Warriors favourite Sam Tomkins.

The game kicked off a little late after technical issues with the referees’ sound equipment.

Jai Field´s first real action of the game was to get pulled up for being offside on three minutes, Arthur Mourgue hitting the target with the penalty to open the scoring.

Jake Wardle picked up the first four pointer of the game on eight minutes on the back of some fast hands with the ball moved right to left, Wardle dipping his shoulder and coming inside with a man in support outside to go to ground and slide over. Harry Smith was wide with the kick, Wigan two points ahead.

The lead flipped on fourteen minutes with Sam Tomkins collecting a spilled kick just five metres from the Wigan line and took two steps before dotting down to give the Dragons the lead. Mourgue added the conversion for 8-4.

A flying Tom Johnstone leapt for the left corner flag and grounded one-handed before being bundled into touch. Mourgue was just wide of the left upright with his conversion attempt but the Dragons looking in charge.

The Dragons were in again on twenty-three with Matt Whitley taking a short pass just five from the line and pulling three tacklers with him to ground. Mourgue converted this time for 18-4, the Warriors with no answer to the Dragons tough questions.

The Warriors defence stood aside for Mourgue to get in on the try scoring act as he took a pass and evade the tacklers from ten metres out to go in on the angle. The Dragons starting to run rings around a confused Warriors defence. The Dragons full-back added the conversion for 24-4.

Harlem Globetrotters stuff from the Warriors on thirty-three with Bevan French finally crashing between two tacklers to force the ball onto the ground for Wigan’s second try of the game. Smith was again off target with the boot, Wigan still well adrift.

Within two minutes at the start of the second half the Dragons registered the first points with a sensational try form Johnstone, leaping to take a Tomkins kick to the corner and stepping past the last Warriors defender to score. Mourgue added the conversion from wide for 30-8, it was the worst possible start to the second half for Matt Peet´s side.

On fifty the Dragons were in again, Whitley taking a flat pass from Tomkins and going through a couple of lacklustre Wigan tackles to spin over the line for his second of the game. Mourgue was on target again for 36-8, the Warriors staring down the barrel of a thrashing.

The Dragons were queuing up to score. On fifty-four Arthur Romano took a miss out pass and again bisected a weak Wigan defence to go in for the seventh Dragons try of the afternoon. Mourgue banged his conversion through the centre of the uprights for 42-8.

Johnstone went Cirque du Soleil again on fifty-eight as he leapt for the left corner to score his hat-trick try despite the attentions of Abbas Miski. Mourgue was unable to add the extras but with twenty minutes to go the Wigan fans were starting to exit the stadium in disgust.

Some consolation on sixty-four minutes with Miski taking the ball in an acre of space, stepping inside and shirking off a high slap from Tomkins, to score in the corner. Harry Smith was again off target with the conversion but got another attempt after referee Moore awarded a penalty under the sticks for the high tackle in the act of scoring.

Four minutes from time, Liam Marshall reduced the arrears a little when he chased a pinpoint Smith kick over the top to collect and ground in goal. Jai Field had a stab at the conversion, but he was wide too.

An awful mistake from Johnstone, offloading in his own goal, allowed Morgan Smithies to dot down the loose ball for the final try of the game as the hooter sounded. Smith was again off target, Wigan without a real tee kicker, but the Dragons had a comfortable 46-22 win.

The Dragons put in an excellent performance against the side above them in the table and not only leapfrogged Wigan but also scored enough points to go ahead of the Warrington Wolves to the top of the pile, at least overnight. Steve McNamara will still have annoyances at his side performance but not as many as Wigan coach Peet who will be wondering what occasionally happens to his side, who are becoming unpredictable, and prone to getting it badly wrong.

Wigan Warriors: French (T), Miski (T), King, Wardle (T), Marshall (T), Field, Smith (G), Ellis, Powell, Byrne, Smithies (T), Farrell, Shorrocks.  Subs: Cust, Mago, Hill, Nsemba. 18th Man: O’Neill.

Catalans Dragons: Mourgue (T, 7G), Johnstone (3T), Romano (T), Ikuvalu, Yaha, Pearce, Tomkins (T), Taukeiaho, McIlorum, Navarrette, Whitley (2T), McMeeken, Garcia. Subs: May, Bousquet, Seguier, Dezaria. 18th Man: Da Costa.

Half-Time: 8-24.

Full-Time: 22-46.

Score Progression: 0-2, 4-2, 4-6, 4-8, 4-12, 4-16, 4-18, 4-22, 4-24, 8-24 : HT: 8-28, 8-30, 8-34, 8-36, 8-40, 8-42, 8-46, 12-46, 14-46, 18-46, 22-46 :FT.

Lead Exchanges: Catalans – Wigan – Catalans.

Referee: Liam Moore.



facebook sharing button
twitter sharing button
pinterest sharing button
email sharing button
sharethis sharing button


Posted by RLFANS News Hound on Sat 3rd Jun 2023 5:47 PM | Views : 4830 | Replies : 0 | BACK TO STORIES
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
13m
Is Eamon OCarroll off Yes New Coach Thread
Wigan Bull
125
25m
Shareholders Meeting
Trojan Horse
78
37m
Other Championship Clubs
Trojan Horse
414
39m
Super League
Trojan Horse
18
Recent
Pre Season - 2025
weaver93
20
Recent
IMG scores
PopTart
251
Recent
Game - Song Titles
Cokey
40412
Recent
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
Chris71
3591
Recent
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 1
rubber ducki
23
Recent
Recruitment rumours and links
rubber ducki
3448
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
1m
Film game
Boss Hog
4860
2m
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
Chris71
3591
2m
Uele contract extension
Khlav Kalash
5
2m
Rumours and signings v9
moto748
28867
3m
Hybrid rugby
moto748
9
3m
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 2
Wires71
7
3m
Transfer Talk V5
LeedsLurch
343
4m
IMG scores
PopTart
251
4m
2025 Season tickets
Trojan Horse
97
5m
Other Championship Clubs
Trojan Horse
414
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Uele contract extension
Khlav Kalash
5
TODAY
Squad for Match 2 v Samoa
karetaker
2
TODAY
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 2
Wires71
7
TODAY
Sky tv deals
karetaker
3
TODAY
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 1
rubber ducki
23
TODAY
New Kit
Barstool Pre
31
TODAY
Memorable Games
Rugby Raider
6
TODAY
Hybrid rugby
moto748
9
TODAY
Pre Season - 2025
weaver93
20
TODAY
England v Australia
karetaker
23
TODAY
The Aussies are coming
Bullseye
17
TODAY
England Beat Samoa Comfortably In First Test
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
England v Samoa
karetaker
23
TODAY
England vs Samoa
jonh
78
TODAY
Trinity back on super league forum
RoyBoy29
4
TODAY
IN 2025 Maika Sivo - Expires 2028
batleyrhino
36
TODAY
Danny McGuire new head coach
Huddersfield
1
TODAY
What happens now
Start@1873
3
TODAY
Liam Kay
phe13
51
TODAY
Coach announced
The Dors
14
TODAY
This forum
Bunkaib
7
TODAY
OUT 2025 Paul Momirovski - Released
Sir Gregory
23
TODAY
Aston Banned
Ilkley Fax
4
TODAY
Morgan Smithies
Zig
3
TODAY
Season Tickets 2025
stpatricks
3
TODAY
Jerome Luai
Cruncher
13
TODAY
Betting for 2025 season
Seth
14
TODAY
Super League
Trojan Horse
18
TODAY
2025 Season tickets
Trojan Horse
97
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
England Beat Samoa Comfortably..
495
Operational Rules Tribunal –..
386
IMG-RFL club gradings released..
541
Wakefield Trinity Win Champion..
1170
Hunslet Secure Promotion After..
1385
Trinity Into Play Off Final Af..
1666
Wigan Warriors Crowned Champio..
1248
York Valkyrie Win Back to Back..
1528
Hunslet Book Relegation Play O..
1861
Penrith Panthers Secure Fourth..
1462
Wigan Humiliate Leigh For Gran..
1555
Hull KR Survive Warrington Fig..
1658
Warrington Wolves Break Saints..
1886
Leigh Leopards Make Play Off P..
1998
Catalans Dragons Finish Sevent..
2446
RLFANS Match Centre
Matches on TV
Sat 2nd Nov
MINT2024
14:30
England M-Samoa M
Sun 27th Oct
MINT2024 2 England M34-18Samoa M
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Mens Betfred Super League XXVIII ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wigan 29 768 338 430 48
Hull KR 29 731 344 387 44
Warrington 29 769 351 418 42
Leigh 29 580 442 138 33
Salford 28 556 561 -5 32
St.Helens 28 618 411 207 30
 
Catalans 27 475 427 48 30
Leeds 27 530 488 42 28
Huddersfield 27 468 658 -190 20
Castleford 27 425 735 -310 15
Hull FC 27 328 894 -566 6
LondonB 27 317 916 -599 6
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Betfred Championship 2024 ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wakefield 27 1032 275 757 52
Toulouse 26 765 388 377 37
Bradford 28 723 420 303 36
York 29 695 501 194 32
Widnes 27 561 502 59 29
Featherstone 27 634 525 109 28
 
Sheffield 26 626 526 100 28
Doncaster 26 498 619 -121 25
Halifax 26 509 650 -141 22
Batley 26 422 591 -169 22
Swinton 28 484 676 -192 20
Barrow 25 442 720 -278 19
Whitehaven 25 437 826 -389 18
Dewsbury 27 348 879 -531 4
Hunslet 1 6 10 -4 0
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
13m
Is Eamon OCarroll off Yes New Coach Thread
Wigan Bull
125
25m
Shareholders Meeting
Trojan Horse
78
37m
Other Championship Clubs
Trojan Horse
414
39m
Super League
Trojan Horse
18
Recent
Pre Season - 2025
weaver93
20
Recent
IMG scores
PopTart
251
Recent
Game - Song Titles
Cokey
40412
Recent
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
Chris71
3591
Recent
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 1
rubber ducki
23
Recent
Recruitment rumours and links
rubber ducki
3448
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
1m
Film game
Boss Hog
4860
2m
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
Chris71
3591
2m
Uele contract extension
Khlav Kalash
5
2m
Rumours and signings v9
moto748
28867
3m
Hybrid rugby
moto748
9
3m
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 2
Wires71
7
3m
Transfer Talk V5
LeedsLurch
343
4m
IMG scores
PopTart
251
4m
2025 Season tickets
Trojan Horse
97
5m
Other Championship Clubs
Trojan Horse
414
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Uele contract extension
Khlav Kalash
5
TODAY
Squad for Match 2 v Samoa
karetaker
2
TODAY
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 2
Wires71
7
TODAY
Sky tv deals
karetaker
3
TODAY
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 1
rubber ducki
23
TODAY
New Kit
Barstool Pre
31
TODAY
Memorable Games
Rugby Raider
6
TODAY
Hybrid rugby
moto748
9
TODAY
Pre Season - 2025
weaver93
20
TODAY
England v Australia
karetaker
23
TODAY
The Aussies are coming
Bullseye
17
TODAY
England Beat Samoa Comfortably In First Test
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
England v Samoa
karetaker
23
TODAY
England vs Samoa
jonh
78
TODAY
Trinity back on super league forum
RoyBoy29
4
TODAY
IN 2025 Maika Sivo - Expires 2028
batleyrhino
36
TODAY
Danny McGuire new head coach
Huddersfield
1
TODAY
What happens now
Start@1873
3
TODAY
Liam Kay
phe13
51
TODAY
Coach announced
The Dors
14
TODAY
This forum
Bunkaib
7
TODAY
OUT 2025 Paul Momirovski - Released
Sir Gregory
23
TODAY
Aston Banned
Ilkley Fax
4
TODAY
Morgan Smithies
Zig
3
TODAY
Season Tickets 2025
stpatricks
3
TODAY
Jerome Luai
Cruncher
13
TODAY
Betting for 2025 season
Seth
14
TODAY
Super League
Trojan Horse
18
TODAY
2025 Season tickets
Trojan Horse
97
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
England Beat Samoa Comfortably..
495
Operational Rules Tribunal –..
386
IMG-RFL club gradings released..
541
Wakefield Trinity Win Champion..
1170
Hunslet Secure Promotion After..
1385
Trinity Into Play Off Final Af..
1666
Wigan Warriors Crowned Champio..
1248
York Valkyrie Win Back to Back..
1528
Hunslet Book Relegation Play O..
1861
Penrith Panthers Secure Fourth..
1462
Wigan Humiliate Leigh For Gran..
1555
Hull KR Survive Warrington Fig..
1658
Warrington Wolves Break Saints..
1886
Leigh Leopards Make Play Off P..
1998
Catalans Dragons Finish Sevent..
2446


Visit the RLFANS.COM SHOP
for more merchandise!