Catalans Dragons (10) 32
Tries: Bell, Baile, Elima 2, Stacul Goals: Bosc 6

Leeds (12) 30
Tries: McGuire 2, Hall, Lauiiti, Webb Goals: Sinfield 5

Winger Stacul's late score proved crucial for the Dragons

A last-gasp try by Cyril Stacul gave Catalans Dragons a hard-fought win over Super League champions Leeds.

The Dragons led 28-12 with 15 minutes left, thanks to Olivier Elima's double, only for Ryan Hall and Ali Lauitiiti to get the Rhinos back into it.

Brent Webb's late effort, converted by Kevin Sinfield, looked to have given Leeds victory.

But Stacul went over with seconds left and the try was awarded after consultation with the video referee.

Catalans coach Kevin Walters:

"We didn't deserve to lose, I couldn't believe that the effort of the players looked like it would go unrewarded - but when we went over for that try with 10 seconds left, I got quite emotional. I'm really happy for the players, supporters and everyone involved.

"At half-time we looked first and foremost to hang in there and just when we seemed as though we might be comfortable - bang, bang, bang and we were behind. But that is the quality of Leeds.

"It was our best defensive performance of the season. I was looking for a performance from Adam Mogg and that was his best of the year and Thomas Bosc is such a quality player but sometimes he needs to be pushed into showing it."

Leeds coach Brian McClennan:

"I don't feel as though we've been robbed - Catalans general performance and energy was better than ours, it was a fair result.

"We put ourselves in a winning position, we knew there would be a short kick-off and although Lee Smith may have been taken out in the air and there were a few other things, we didn't play well enough."

Catalans Dragons: Bosc, Stacul, Croker, Baile, Bell, Bird, Mogg, Carlaw, McGuire, Guisset, Elima, Gossard, Mounis.
Replacements: Perry, Ferriol, Touxagas, Casty.

Leeds: Webb, Donald, Smith, Senior, Hall, Sinfield, McGuire, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Kirke, Lauitiiti, Ablett.
Replacements: Buderus, Bailey, Burgess, Gibson.

Referee: S Ganson (St Helens)

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