Glenn Morrison tries to get through the Catalans defence

Bradford: (10) 22
Tries: Deacon, Evans 2, Platt
Goals: Deacon 3

Catalans: (10) 29
Tries: Bosc 2, Greenshields, Ferriol, Wilson
Goals: Bosc 4
Drops: Croker

Super League leaders Bradford suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of the Catalans Dragons at Odsal on Sunday.

The Dragons, with half-backs Casey McGuire and Stacy Jones outstanding, raced into an early 10-0 lead through two Thomas Bosc tries.

Paul Deacon and James Evans levelled it by the break but Clint Greenshields and David Ferriol hit back for the Dragons.

Michael Platt and Evans again cut the lead but a Jason Croker drop goal and John Wilson's late try sealed the win.

The Dragons laid the platform for their first away win of the season with a tough defensive display which kept the home side at bay from the start.

But Bosc's early double brought Bradford to life and they responded with a five-minute blitz to level the scores by the break.

Iestyn Harris' long pass set Lesley Vainikolo charging clear before he combined with Glenn Morrison to send Deacon over under the posts.

Evans then pounced on Deacon's chip when Adam Mogg fumbled his attempted catch, but five minutes into the second half Greenshields raced past Shontayne Hape to restore the Dragons' advantage.

Then the Jones and McGuire combination sent Ferriol barging through before Bosc added a penalty and Croker's drop-goal handed Catalans a 13-point advantage.

Although Platt and Evans both crossed in the closing stages, Wilson had the final say for the Dragons.

But the French side were left counting the cost of the victory with Sebastien Raguin suffering a suspected broken arm while Gregory Mounis broke a finger and Casey McGuire suffered a back injury.

"We were poor and we're thoroughly disappointed with our performance.

"We've been getting plenty of praise when we've been winning games so we just have to take this defeat on the chin.

"We lacked energy and movement and our completion rate was low but the Dragons deserved the win."

"We showed plenty of character, especially in the second half when we had a few guys picking up bad injuries. But that makes it more special, I suppose.

"To beat a quality team like Bradford, particularly with how they've been going - I'm very happy.

"I was worried when we were up by 13 points, let alone one, because you know the quality of personnel they've got."

Bradford: Platt, McAvoy, B. Harris, Hape, Vainikolo, I. Harris, Deacon, Vagana, Henderson, Lynch, Solomona, Morrison, Langley.
Replacements: McKenna, Newton, Feather, Evans.

Catalans Dragons: Greenshields, Bosc, Wilson, Mogg, Pelo, McGuire, Jones, Chan, Teixido, Guisset, Gossard, Croker, Mounis.
Replacements: Ferriol, Raguin, Griffi, Quigley.