Morgan Escare grabbed a hat-trick of tries as Catalan Dragons ran out 46-4 winners against London Broncos at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

The result moved Catalan back into seventh place in First Utility Super League above Widnes Vikings, who had leapfrogged the Dragons with a surprise defeat of Wigan Warriors yesterday.

The hard work was done in the first half with Escare leading the way with his treble as the Catalans built a 34-0 lead over the bottom-placed and relegated Broncos, and they went on to tally eight tries in all.

Catalan hit the front after only five minutes, Vincent Duport powering his way over the try-line despite Nesi Mataitonga's best efforts to halt the French centre. Thomas Bosc added the touchline conversion.

The Dragons added to their lead in the 13th minute, Ben Pomeroy providing for the prolific Escare to score his 22nd Super League try of the season. Bosc missed out on the extras.

Escare registered his second after 21 minutes, Duport breaking clear from the halfway line, drawing the full-back and passing inside to his supporting team-mate who raced over to touch down under the posts, with Bosc hardly able to miss.

Catalan were running red hot, Pomeroy registering their fourth try after a smart inside ball by Elliott Whitehead set the former Cronulla centre free to touch down under the posts, with Bosc making it worth an extra two points.

Catalan scored again six minutes before the break, this time when Bosc's kick to the left corner was taken by Daryl Millard who was unmarked as he collected and touched down. Bosc booted the touchline conversion to stretch the lead to 28-0.

There was still time for Catalans to bring up the 30-point mark before half-time. In a repeat of the third try, Duport raced clear down the left, drew the full-back and passed inside to Escare, who raced over to touch down under the posts for his hat-trick try. Bosc added the simple conversion.

With Broncos coach Joe Grima marshalling his side from the touchline in the second half, the visitors started much more purposefully and looked the more likely to score in a spell that saw them dominate field position.

The Broncos duly did score their first try of the match after 55 minutes, a pass from Josh Drinkwater over the head of two would-be Catalan defenders sending in Kieran Dixon in the right corner. Drinkwater failed to add the conversion to see the scores remain 34-4.

Catalan responded 11 minutes from time, Bosc's high kick knocked back by Duport and collected by Zeb Taia who strolled over the line and around towards the posts to score. The try was awarded by the video referee before Bosc added a simple conversion.

Millard registered his second try of the night, Bosc and Escare combining to send the winger in at the corner after a run of three straight penalties for the home side. Bosc added the conversion to complete the heavy scoring.