Ruthless Catalans Dragons show title quality as St Helens' hit with double blow

13 July 2023 , 21:19

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Catalans' Tom Johnstone scores against St Helens (Image: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)

TOM JOHNSTONE’S latest stunning try helped leaders Catalans do the double over champions St Helens - whose Challenge Cup plans were also left in dissaray.

Prolific winger Johnstone took his tally for the season to 23 with a brilliant 95m effort that set up a hard-fought victory in an enthralling Betfred Super League contest. Catalans moved six points clear of third-placed Saints who were continually denied by the French side’s ferocious defence. But Paul Wellens’ side also suffered a huge blow seeing captain James Roby and England centre Mark Percival both fail HIAs - automatically ruling them out of next Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Leigh.

Roby was injured in the 24th minute when making a tackle in the set after Johnstone had raced in for his opener. He immediately looked groggy and was quickly taken off before it was confirmed he had failed his HIA just before the half-time interval. Even though the ex-England hooker is now 37 - and they have a more than able understudy in in-demand Aussie Joey Lussick - Roby’s absence is a huge loss.

But that was compounded when Percival also suffered a head injury early in the second period, the minimum 11-day lay-off meaning he, too, is out of that bid for Wembley. Excellent Catalans, though, were good value for their victory as they bounced back from a shock defeat to Huddersfield. They backed up May’s 24-12 victory over Saints in Perpignan with another impressive display built on guts, resilience and sheer doggedness.

Catalans' Tom Johnstone and Adam Keighran celebrate at St Helens (Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)

They kicked off with Adam Keighran’s penalty before the Aussie centre collected Jonny Lomax’s kick and offloaded to Johnstone who sprinted the length of the field in the 21st minute. Keighran converted but Saints hit back seven minutes later when Percival raced onto Lewis Dodd’s perfect grubber. Percival converted to leave his side trailing 8-6 at the break.

Tom Johnstone faced “manic” time settling at Catalans Dragons after horrid 2022

However, Matt Ikuvalu scored a cracking 45th minute try for Catalans, the ex-Cronulla centre brilliantly finishing off a slick backline move and taking Jack Welsby over the line with him. Keighran improved again before Saints started to apply sustained pressure. Steve McNamara’s side looked like holding firm, Tom Davies and Tyrone May somehow denying Sione Mata’utia before May also prevented Will Hopoate with a desperate tackle into touch.

Dodd did finally step through in the 73rd minute, Lussick converting to set up a tense finish. But Hopoate blew a glorious chance in the last second when he threw the ball into touch as Konrad Hurrell came inside.

David Craven