GUARDIAN VERDICT: Catalans Dragons 12 Warrington Wolves 24 (From Warrington Guardian)

GUARDIAN VERDICT: Catalans Dragons 12 Warrington Wolves 24

5:00am Thursday 25th June 2009

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Catalans Dragons 12 Warrington Wolves 24

AMID all the spectacle and fervour, the passionate outpourings of Catalonian pride, Wolves found their composure to make history in Barcelona.

A cool, smart second-half display sealed victory in the first game of professional rugby league on Spanish soil, pushing Warrington into the Super League play-off places for only the second time this season.

Tony Smith’s team rose to the occasion when it mattered, overcoming serious adversity to score three unanswered second-half tries in front of a raucous crowd of 18,150 at the Olympic Stadium.

It was a triumph that, for much of the game, had seemed unlikely.

Initially, Wolves seemed to wilt under the spotlight, stumbling through an error-strewn first half as they struggled to deal with the magnitude of the event.

And what an event it was.

The Olympic Stadium may be somewhat dated, with 17 years having passed since Linford Christie achieved 100m gold there in 1992, but it provided a stunning setting, sat high above the city centre at the top of Montjuic.

Inside, it was bathed by a sea of red and gold, French Catalans uniting with their Spanish counterparts in a thrilling display of cultural unity. The sight of around 16,000 people standing as one to belt out the Catalan national anthem was an imposing sight for even the most seasoned professional.

When the game got underway, it did not get any easier for Warrington.

Inspired by their noisy support, Catalans threw themselves at full force into every tackle, providing a physical threat that few in Super League can match. Some of the hits could be felt from the stands.

Under that kind of pressure, Wolves let an early lead slip to trail 12-6 early in the second half.

Smith’s troops looked ready to succumb to the powerful Dragons, the frustration creeping into their game highlighted when Michael Monaghan appeared to throw a fist at Jean Philippe Baile.

But those who predicted a Catalans win should have known better.

Second-half comebacks have become a Wolves trademark in recent weeks and Matt King’s try provided the platform for an important win.

Sensing the threat, Dragons tried to lash out and Monaghan felt the full force of their physicality when he was flattened by a bone-shuddering hit from Olivier Elima. No sooner had he picked himself up and dusted himself off as Olivier Elima put him straight back down again, hitting him with the force of a steam train.

Monaghan could not continue but, in his absence, Wolves certainly could. They showed composure and smartness that had been lacking throughout the first 40 minutes to take control of the game.

Riley’s well-taken try, coupled with a brilliant chase and tackle to stop a Clint Greenshields break, redeemed him for his earlier error and put Warrington into the lead for the first time in more than 50 minutes.

Fittingly, Jon Clarke’s stunning individual effort was the deciding moment of a special evening.

It is on night’s like this that you realise the exciting potential that Warrington and the game of rugby league still possess.

Match facts

Catalans Dragons 12

Warrington Wolves 24

Dragons: Clint Greenshields; Cyril Stacul (1t), Jason Croker (1t), Jean Philippe Baile, Steven Bell; Adam Mogg, Thomas Bosc (2g); Dane Carlaw, Casey McGuire, Jerome Guisset, Olivier Elima, Cyrille Gossard, Jamal Fakir. Subs used: Shane Perry, David Ferriol, Julien Touxagas, Jason Ryles.

Wolves: Richie Mathers; Chris Hicks (4g), Chris Bridge (1t), Matt King (1t), Chris Riley (1t); Simon Grix, Michael Monaghan; Adrian Morley, Jon Clarke (1t), Garreth Carvell, Louis Anderson, Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison. Subs used: Paul Johnson, Paul Rauhihi, Vinnie Anderson, Paul Wood.

Referee: Thierry Alibert.

Scoring: Fakir’s high shot on King gives Wolves field position and Bridge takes Mathers’ long pass to go over on the right flank, 7mins, Hicks converts, 0-6; Hicks concedes penalty after halting Bell’s 60-metre break and Croker forces his way over from dummy half, 15mins, Bosc converts, 6-6; Riley coughs up possession in a tackle and Mogg’s looping pass sends in Stacul, 20mins, 10-6; Bosc kicks two points after Vinnie Anderson was penalised, 46mins, 12-6; Monaghan quickly switches play to the left flank and King takes short pass from Riley to step inside and score, 49mins, Hicks adds the goal, 12-12; Clever grubber from Grix opens up the defence and Riley cuts in from his wing to finish well, 59mins, Hicks converts, 18-12; Clarke makes break from dummy half and shows good turn of pace to score from metres, 71mins, 22-12; Hicks knocks over a penalty, 24-12.

Pens: Dragons 6 Wolves 6.

Attendance: 18,150.

Warrington Guardian top men: King 3pts, Clarke 2pts, Riley 1pt.

Interesting note: Twelve points is Catalans Dragons’ worst ever score against Wolves, 16 being their previous lowest.