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Page last updated at 19:47 GMT, Saturday, 21 February 2009

Warrington 20-40 Catalans

Warrington (18) 20
Tries: King, Carvell, Hicks Goals: Hicks 4

Catalans (12) 40
Tries: Mounis, Elima, Greenshields 2, Stacul, Baile, Pelo Goals: Bosc 6


Dragons full-back Clint Greenshields
Greenshields scored two of his side's seven tries

Catalans claimed a stunning comeback victory as Warrington crumbled at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Despite going behind to an early Gregory Mounis try, the Wolves went 18-6 ahead with tries from Matt King, Garreth Carvell and Chris Hicks.

But the Dragons hit back through Olivier Elima and Clint Greenshields.

And as Warrington fell apart in the final 20 minutes, Greenshields, Cyril Stacul, Jean Philippe Baile and Dimitri Pelo all crossed to stun the home side.

The final hooter was greeted by boos by the home support, who have seen their side lose their opening two games of the new season.

The Dragons had made a perfect start when Mounis won the race to Thomas Bosc's grubber kick on the last tackle.

The game was then halted for seven minutes as Catalans prop Dane Carlaw received treatment after a high challenge from Ben Westwood - with the Warrington second rower placed on report for the incident.

But the Catalans, who lost 30-8 at home to Huddersfield in their opening match, looked out on their feet as Warrington scored three tries in a 14-minute spell.

606: DEBATE
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Mickey Higham and Chris Bridge combined to get King over, Carvell took Higham's bullet-like pass to go over near the posts for his first try for the club and centre Martin Gleeson produced some classy handling to send winger Hicks in at the corner.

Hicks added a penalty to his two conversions and Warrington looked in control.

But crucially, Elima went over on the stroke of half-time while Greenshields continued the revival four minutes into the second half after jinking his way through the Warrington defence.

The visitors had David Ferriol sin-binned for holding down but Catalans were not affected by the loss, scrum-half Shane Perry sending Greenshields over for his second try of the half.

The game was won with a blistering seven-minute spell which saw Catalans score three more tries.

Right winger Stacul took Bosc's floated pass to cross at the corner, Baile forced his way over from dummy half and left winger Pelo profited from another Bosc cut-out pass to score his side's seventh try.

Bosc kicked five conversions and added an injury-time penalty to take his tally to six from eight attempts.


Warrington coach James Lowes:
"It's not good enough. I thought we were dreadful and I've made that known in the dressing room.

"We were terrible. We were outmuscled and turned the ball over very cheaply and Catalans capitalised.

"We were quite dominant in the first half but even then there were tell-tale signs with our execution and decision-making. It went from bad to worse in the second half.

"If some of the guys continue in that vein, they won't be playing in the first team."

Catalans coach coach Kevin Walters:
"It's nice to get out of the blocks. We were really off the pace last week but tonight we came out with a lot better attitude.

"At 18-6 it was just about hanging in there because Warrington were playing well. Fortunately we got a few penalties and scored a try just before half-time which gave us a glimmer of hope.

"If we get enough ball, we can score tries. It's stopping them that has been a problem for us."

Walters on Dane Carlaw:
"He's sitting up and drinking. Fortunately there is no neck damage."


Warrington: Riley, Hicks, Gleeson, King, Bridge, Briers, Monaghan, Morley, Higham, Carvell, L Anderson, Westwood, V Anderson.
Replacements: Harrison, Wood, Blythe, Rauhihi.

Catalans Dragons: Greenshields, Stacul, Bell, Mogg, Pelo, Bosc, Perry, Carlaw, Baile, Guisset, Fakir, Croker, Mounis.
Replacements: Elima, Ferriol, Casty, Gossard.

Referee: J Robinson (Yorkshire)



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see also
St Helens 26-14 Warrington
13 Feb 09 |  Rugby League
Catalans suffer Ryles injury blow
20 Feb 09 |  Catalans
Catalans 8-30 Huddersfield
14 Feb 09 |  Rugby League
Super League XIV factfile
05 Feb 09 |  Rugby League


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