Clint spurs Catalans

Sunday Mirror, Jun 15, 2008

CATALANS 45

WIGAN 38

FULL-BACK Clint Greenshields was an inspiration as Catalans Dragons kept up the pressure in the engage Super League with a 45- 38 triumph over Wigan Warriors.

The 26-year-old Aussie ran in three tries as Dragons bounced back from a first-half deficit to sit five points behind Leeds Rhinos at the top.

Wigan winger Pat Richards opened the scoring in the 10th minute then kicked the extras but the Dragons centre John Wilson hit back with the home side's first try of the match. Scrum half Thomas Bosc converted then kicked another goal to give the Catalans the lead.

The Warriors took the lead again in the 23rd minute thanks to substitute Joel Tomkins.

Richards kicked the extras but the Dragons hit back and a try from Greenshields and kick from Bosc brought them back into it.

Wigan showed plenty of character and centre George Carmont crossed then Richards converted to give them a 18-14 half-time lead.

The Dragons wrested the lead thanks to second-row Olivier Elima who ran over five minutes after the restart.

Bosc again converted but Richards kept his composure with the boot moments later to level the scores at 20-20.

A four-minute spell took the game from the Warriors as tries from Adam Mogg (57) and Greenshields (60) gave Dragons control. Bosc again made no mistake.

Prop Andy Coley went over on 64 minutes with Richards again on song but a try from Sebastien Raguin maintained the home lead.

Greenshields ran in his third try which Bosc converted to open up a sizeable advantage.

Tries in the last six minutes from Iafeta Paleaaesina and Cameron Phelps either side of Mogg's drop goal for Catalans cut the gap, but time ran out.

Catalans: Tries: Wilson, Greenshields 3, Elima, Mogg, Raguin. Goals: Bosc 8. Drop Goals: Mogg. Wigan Tries: Richards, J. Tomkins, Carmont, Coley, Paleaaesina, Phelps. Goals: Richards 7.