| Betfred Super League |
|---|
| Huddersfield (12) 28 |
| Tries: I Senior 2, Jake Wardle, McIntosh, Gaskell Goals: Wardle 4 |
| Catalans (22) 32 |
| Tries: Tomkins 3, Broughton 2, Williame Goals: Tomkins 4 |
Catalans Dragons climbed back up above Wigan to fourth in Super League by surviving a late home onslaught to win at Huddersfield.
Wigan old boy Sam Tomkins played the starring role, with a first-half hat-trick of tries and four successful kicks for a personal 20-point haul.
Jodie Broughton’s double and Brayden Wiliame’s try boosted the French haul.
But three of Giants’ five tries came late on, for Darnell McIntosh, Lee Gaskell and a second for Innes Senior.
Senior and Jake Wardle, who kicked four goals, had scored the Giants’ other first-half points as they eventually responded to Tomkins’ two self-converted tries in the opening half hour.
Despite Huddersfield’s late rally, after ending a four-game losing run by winning at Salford last week, this leaves them level on points with Hull KR, who won at Leeds, and still only two points above bottom-club London Broncos.
Tomkins opened the scoring on eight minutes when he collected Samisoni Langi’s pass before dummying his way through. He then latched onto Tony Gigot’s teasing grubber to get his second.
And, after Senior had touched down in the left corner, Dragons centre Wiliame finished off a slick handling sequence before Tomkins completed his first Dragons treble.
Catalans responded to Wardle’s late first-half try when winger Broughton scored twice in the left corner before the hour mark, but the Giants were far from finished.
McIntosh went over from close range on 63 minutes before Gaskell scythed through the visiting defence for a fine individual score. Then, after Catalans lost Kenny Edwards to the sin-bin five minutes from time, Senior crossed in the left corner for his second try. But the Dragons held on for the final two minutes.
Huddersfield: McIntosh; McGillvary, Gaskell, Clough, Leeming; Murphy, Mellor; Ta’ai, Jake Wardle, Holmes, Ikahihifo, L Senior, I Senior.
Interchanges: Frawley, Matagi, Lawrence, Wilson.
Catalans Dragons: Tomkins; Broughton, Mead, Wiliame, Romano; Langi, Gigot; Bousquet, McIlorum, Simon, Whitley, Garcia, Casty.
Interchanges: Edwards, Albert, Maria, Kasiano.
Sin Bin: Edwards (74).
Referee: Greg Dolan (RFL).
