Dragons Catalans (12) 32

T : Dave Taylor 2, Richie Myler, Krisnan Inu, Tony Gigot
G : Pat Richards 6

Leeds Rhinos (8) 28

T : Kallum Watkins 2, Liam Sutcliffe, Ryan Hall, Ash Handley
G : Jordan Lilley 4
 

Catalans Dragons picked up their first win of the First Utility Super League season as defending champions Leeds Rhinos slumped to a third successive defeat.

The Dragons secured a 32-28 victory in Perpignan despite a gallant fight back from the visitors in the second half.

Dave Taylor crossed twice in the first half either side of a Kallum Watkins try as the hosts went in 12-8 ahead at half-time.

Krisnan Inu and Tony Gigot went over within eight minutes of the restart as Catalans extended their advantage to 16 points, before Liam Sutcliffe responded immediately.

Taylor completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark, and although Ryan Hall got over in the corner it was too little, too late for the Rhinos – even though Watkins burst clear for his second score of the evening late on.

Team sheet

Dragons : Gigot, Broughton, Inu, Duport, Richards, Carney, Myler, Taylor, Pelissier, Bousquet, Stewart, Horo, Baitieri
Subs : Mounis, Bosc, Elima, Mason

Leeds: Hardaker, Handley, Watkins, Moon, Hall, Sutcliffe, Lilley, Galloway, Burrow, Singleton, Ferres, Keinhorst, Delaney
Subs: Cuthbertson, Achurch, Mullally, Walters

Referee: Ben Thaler

Attendance: 8178