The Saturday afternoon game in the south of France was all about playing for points. Both sides were guaranteed a position in the Super Eights but both were looking to improve their position going into the second phase of the season.
The home side were looking to open up a larger gap between themselves and St Helens in fifth spot whereas the Wildcats wished to improve their league position to give themselves an unlikely shot at a top four position going into the play offs.
It was the Wildcats who opened the scoring on eight minutes when Max Jowitt and Craig Hall combined to give Jowitt clear space inside to run the last ten metres to score. Liam Finn added the extra two.
On eighteen the Catalans were back on level terms when Tony Gigot hit the ball at speed to cross on his back and then roll over the line to ground the ball. Pat Richards added the extras to level the score.
Dave Taylor put the Dragons into the lead on twenty five after a thirty metres run, avoiding some feeble attempted Wakefield tackles, to score by the sticks. Richards was again accurate with the boot from bang in front of the sticks for 12-6.
Within two minutes Justin Horo broke free of the Wildcats defence after stepping inside to score under the sticks giving Richards a simple conversion for 18-6.
The Wildcats got themselves back into the game on thirty-three when Jonny Molloy took a Scott Moore pass to crash over from a couple of metres out. Finn added the extras. Four minutes later and Craig Hall kicked through and won the race to collect to cross and score for a solo try. Finn added the two and the sides went into the sheds tied up at 18-18, despite Fouad Yaha having what looked like a good try turned down in the last seconds by referee Campbell.
A great start to the second half saw Bill Tupou finish a length of the field move which had included a Craig Hall break. Finn kicked the extra two for 24-18 to the visitors.
On fifty-seven the game was back level when Lucas Albert put in a grubber which Morgan Escare picked up on the first bounce and grounded behind the sticks. Richards was again accurate with the boot for 24-24.
Michael Sio put the Wildcats back in front when he went over from two metres at first receiver to ground under the posts. Finn kicked a simple goal and at 30-24 with twelve minutes left.
On seventy Fouad Yaha was at the end of a left to right passing move to take a difficult pass and win the race to ground in the corner. Richards slipped the conversion attempt wide leaving the Dragons two adrift.
Desperate to make up the two points, the Dragons became increasingly reckless and Wakefield defended well to hold on for a famous victory to put a big dent in the Catalans push to improve their top four finish. A great effort from the visitors and a confidence lift heading into what will be a very demanding Super Eights.
Dragons: Escare (T), Yaha (T), Garcia, Duport, Richards (4G), Gigot (T), Albert, Baitieri, Taylor (T), Horo (T), Maria, Pelissier, Casty. Subs: Da Costa, Bousquet, Navarrete, Mason.
Wildcats: Jowitt (T), Lyne, Arundel, Tupou B (T), Hall (T), Miller, Finn (5G), Simon, Moore, Arona, Ashurst, Molloy (T), Sio (T). Subs: Scruton, Tupou A, Walton, Fifita.
Referee: Chris Campbell.
Attendance:
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