Catalans Dragons 40 Wakefield Trinity 8 - Woes worsen for Super League’s bottom club

Catalans Dragons tore Trinity apart with a second-half blitz leaving coach Chris Chester with a great deal of soul searching before his next match against champions St Helens.

Chester could name only a 20-man squad following a series of injuries and Covid difficulties.

However, his Wakefield side were full value for the biggest part of the first 40 minutes.

Jacob Miller orchestrated a series of attacks with Joe Westerman and Kalepi Tanginoa tormenting the 5,000 home supporters who had expected an early Dragons rout following their previous encounter in England.

But the fans had to wait for Sam Tomkins and James Maloney to work their magic and a dominant second half had the French supporters singing.

A Bill Toupou try and two Tony Gigot goals were all the visitors had to show for some impressive graft before the interval.

A try against the run of play for Matt Whitley, followed quickly by a touchdown on half-time for Israel Folau put Catalans in the driving seat.

Sam Kasiano’s introduction into the game after half an hour seemed to steady the Dragons, his powerful surges wreaking havoce with the Wakefield defence.

Tony Gigot, operating from stand-off, was in vintage Brutus form with a precise kicking game and his personal duel with Sam Tomkins boiled over on the half-hour when the Frenchman hit Tomkins high in the tackle.

David Mead collected a Josh Drinkwater looping pass to score on the left then Sam Kasiano scored the try of the match.

The giant prop burst through the middle on a 30-metre dash and found Sam Tomkins who returned the favour for Kasiano to finish the move in the left corner.

Maloney’s touchline conversion put the Dragons 22-8 ahead.

Tomkins then profited from some interplay with Folau, picking up a return pass and scooting in beside the posts, Maloney adding the goal.

Wakefield’s handling in the second half seemed to suffer and Catalans took advantage.

Following a penalty for a high tackle on Tom Davies, Julian Bousquet forced his way over to the left of the posts, Maloney adding his fifth conversion of the game.

Whitley went close to grounding a Drinkwater grubber then Tomkins found Mead on the left, the winger crossing with ease for his second try and improving the conversion angle for Maloney to bring up the Dragons’ 40th point. Wakefield were allowed some possession and position in the final quarter as referee James Child penalised the home team for a series of offences but the Dragons held firm.

Then the reintroduction of Kasiano from the bench swung the momentum back in Catalans’ favour.

Tomkins went close to finding a hat-trick for Mead then Tom Davies missed out on a walk-in following a stray pass by Jullien. Adam Tangata had to leave the field following a heavy tackle five minutes from the end and the Dragons pushed strongly to the last whistle.

Garcia was held up over the line and then forced into touch as the hooter blew on a convincing home win for Catalans.

Wakefield have conceded 98 points to the Dragons in two games and it is difficult so see what improvements can be made as the season rolls on to its conclusion for Trinity.