general

Leigh secure third win in succession at Catalans

Yahoo Sports

Leigh Leopards make it three Super League wins on the bounce with an impressive victory against the Catalans Dragons in an entertaining affair in Perpignan.

Betfred Super League Catalans (6) 18 Tries: Sexton, Makinson 2 Goals: Sexton 3 Leigh (10) 33 Tries: Charnley 2, Ofahengaue, Trout, Halton Goals: Cook 6 Drop Goal: Cook Leigh Leopards made it three Super League wins on the bounce with an impressive victory against the Catalans Dragons in an entertaining affair in Perpignan. Josh Charnley scored twice on his 100th appearance for Leigh who are beginning to replicate the form which has seen them make the play-offs in the past two Super League seasons. Fellow winger Tommy Makinson scored twice for Catalans as the French side led the match with less than 15 minutes remaining.

However, Joe Ofahengaue scored a decisive try for Leigh late on before scores from Owen Trout and Frankie Halton - as well as a drop goal from Adam Cook - added gloss to the scoreline to underline the Leopards' resurgence. Wigan end losing streak by beating Bradford Sivo hat-trick sinks Wakefield to keep Leeds top St Helens beat York to keep pace with Leeds at top Buoyed by a terrific following from their travelling supporters, Leigh opened the scoring inside seven minutes via the boot of Adam Cook once Zac Lipowicz was found guilty of a ball steal on halfway by referee Liam Moore. Gaz O'Brien was taken out of the game by Romain Navarette under a high ball from Cook, and after Umyla Hanley had a try disallowed by Moore for a knock-on, the play was pulled back for Cook to add two more points.

Catalans' haphazard opening 15 minutes was summed up by Toby Sexton, who stubbed his toe with his attempted restart - and which fortuitously presented him with the opportunity to kick a penalty at the second attempt after the ball was regained within 10 yards. That fortune allowed Catalans to build their first meaningful attack, and Sexton's delightful chip and chase - with a slice of luck on the bounce - saw him dot down, and by the time he kicked the extras, Catalans had a slender advantage they scarcely deserved. Cook quickly kicked Leigh level before his superb line break helped set up Josh Charnley - on his 100th appearance for the Leopards - to run in and add the 328th professional try of his career.

It took him past Shaun Edwards in the all-time top try scorers list in the British game. After the break, Lam threatened to weave his way through before knocking on but the Leopards were not to be denied when Cook's cut-out pass found Charnley to walk in unopposed. Catalans closed the gap almost instantly as Ugo Tison found a gap in the Leigh backline and spotted Makinson on his outside to dot down his 205th Super League try.