Huddersfield 10-20 Catalans: Sam Tomkins inspires Dragons to victory

Drew Darbyshire

A man of the match display from Sam Tomkins helped Catalans beat Huddersfield 20-10 and continue their winning start to the season.

The Dragons started the game in good fashion with a bit of Tomkins magic setting up Matt Whitley to score.

Huddersfield levelled the score in the 12th minute through Chris McQueen. Catalans then received a blow when James Maloney was sin-binned midway through the first half.

Captain Ben Garcia edged the Dragons back in front on the half hour mark, which Tomkins converted.

Gil Dudson made his official debut for Catalans

Maloney extended Catalans’ lead in the 35th minute with a penalty goal before Mike McMeeken crossed just before the half-time hooter which saw Steve McNamara’s side 20-6 ahead at the break.

The Giants fought their way back into it in the second half and pulled one back through Sam Wood to set up a pulsating final quarter.

Ian Watson’s side went down to 12 men for the final five minutes though when forward Joe Greenwood was sent off for a high shot on Samisoni Langi. The Dragons held on for a 20-10 victory in St Helens.

Huddersfield: McIntosh; McGillvary, Ja Wardle, Cudjoe, Wood; Gaskell, Cogger; Yates, Cunningham, Gavet, McQueen, Greenwood, Jones. Subs: English, Edwards, O’Brien, Lawrence.

Tries: McQueen, Wood Goals: Ja Wardle 1

Catalans: S Tomkins; Yaha, Langi, Whare, Davies; Maloney, Drinkwater; Dudson, Da Costa, Bousquet, Whitley, McMeeken, Garcia. Subs: Mourgue, Seguier, Baitieri, Kasiano.

Tries: Whitley, Garcia, McMeeken Goals: Maloney 3, S Tomkins 1

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