Catalans 29-28 Warrington

Bottom-of-the-table Catalans dented Warrington’s hopes of a first ever Super League league leaders shield with a surprise 29-28 win in France.

In a dress rehearsal for next month’s Challenge Cup semi-final, Kevin Walters got one over his former club as the Dragons recorded only their fifth win of a difficult campaign.

After Frederic Vaccari‘s early try had been cancelled out by Lee Briers, the home side got themselves in to a deserved 16-6 lead, only to be pegged back on the stroke of half-time.

First Chris Hicks crossed, just moments after Catalans had been denied themselves, and then Jon Clarke scored a try, both in the final minute of the first half, to tie things up at 16-16.

Inspired by half-back pair Thomas Bosc and Brent Sherwin, the home side started the second half superbly, scoring in the first minute through Cyril Stacul and then doubling their advantage to 12 points with Remi Casty‘s converted try.

Warrington, who had reduced the gap at the top of the table with a superb away win at Wigan last week, were left shell-shocked, and it took them until the hour mark to pull a try back, through Kiwi back-rower Vinnie Anderson, Ben Westwood‘s conversion bringing them within one score.

But, on 64 minutes, Sherwin, signed mid-season from Castleford, slotted over a drop goal which would ultimately prove the difference between the two sides.

The Wolves hunted for a way back in to the match but the two scores they needed proved too much of a deficit to overturn, and although Lee Briers‘ converted try in the dying seconds brought them within a point, the game was gone.

The two sides meet against Widnes’ Stobart Stadium on August 8th for a place in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.