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Page last updated at 19:42 GMT, Saturday, 12 July 2008 20:42 UK

Catalans 32-26 Harlequins RL

Catalans Dragons (14) 32
Tries: McGuire, Chan, Greenshields 2, Elima Goals: Bosc 6

Harlequins RL (0) 26
Tries: Hill, Clubb, Sheriffe, Randall, McCarthy-Scarsbrook Goals: Purdham 3


Clint Greenshields secured the win with his second try of the match.
Greenshields secured the points for the Dragons

Clint Greenshields scored a dramatic winning try after the final hooter to take Catalans Dragons back to within a point of the Super League summit.

Quins looked set for a draw after a stunning fightback wiped out the hosts' 14-0 half-time lead in rainy Perpignan.

But a penalty awarded after the hooter was kicked for touch by Thomas Bosc and the ball was chipped over the defence for Greenshields to seal victory.

Dragons are now just a point behind St Helens and second-placed Leeds.

There was no hint of the drama to follow as Catalans completely dominated the first half.

They forced two drop-outs in the opening 10 minutes and then broke through as Casey McGuire went over from dummy half.

A melee broke out after Younes Khattabi was felled by a high tackle midway through the opening period.

Bosc kicked the resulting penalty after a delay of several minutes while the Dragons winger was carried off on a stretcher.

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An error by Danny Ward gifted the Dragons a second try as forward Alex Chan barged past David Howell to touch down. Bosc converted for a second time.

Quins went close through Chad Randall just before the break, and finally registered early in the second period when Scott Hill touched down Henry Paul's kick.

Skipper Rob Purdham added the extras, and did so again after Tony Clubb intercepted a pass from McGuire and sprinted 70 metres to touch down.

A fine piece of opportunism by Rikki Sheriffe saw Quins score again, but Calatans went back in front just before the hour when Adam Mogg put Greenshields over for his first try.

Bosc's conversion gave the hosts a four-point advantage, but that was wiped out as Randall picked off a Mogg kick and won a race against Justin Murphy to the line.

Catalans reclaimed the lead when a Bosc kick was deflected and Olivier Elima scored, only for McCarthy-Scarsbrook to reply. Both tries were converted to make it 26-26.

But the Dragons won it in a dramatic finale after a touchline fracas resulted in McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Mogg being sin-binned, and Bosc's post-hooter kick leading to Greenshields' match-winning score.


Catalans Dragons: Greenshields, Murphy, Wilson, Raguin, Khattabi, Mogg, Bosc, Chan, McGuire, Elima, Croker, Mounis, Carlaw.
Replacements: Guisset, Casty, Quintilla, Touxagas.

Harlequins: Sheriffe, Wells, Clubb, Howell, Sharp, Hill, Orr, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Randall, Ward, Purdham, Worrincy, Paul.
Replacements: Heckenberg, Grayshon, Tootill, Barker.

Referee: A Klein (London)



see also
Hull 18-30 Catalans Dragons
06 Jul 08 |  Rugby League
Harlequins 0-54 St Helens
05 Jul 08 |  Rugby League


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