Catalans Dragons’ 61-0 victory over Leeds Rhinos boosts their hopes of top-two Super League finish and with it, a single home match in their quest to reach a second Grand Final; Huddersfield Giants thrash Hull FC 52-20
Last Updated: 16/09/23 8:25pm
Adam Keighran scored a hat-trick of tries for Catalans Dragons
Catalans Dragons charged back into the Super League’s top two with a 61-0 humiliation of woeful Leeds in Perpignan.
Adam Keighran ran in three tries and kicked 18 points with the boot as Steve McNamara’s men made a huge statement with one round of the regular season remaining.
A youthful Rhinos side, still reeling from last week’s 50-0 thrashing by Wigan, were second-best in all areas again on Saturday evening and saw their faint mathematical hopes of booking a top-six berth ruthlessly exposed.
In contrast, Catalans head to Salford next week knowing another big win is likely to secure them a top-two slot and with it, a single home match in their quest to reach a second Grand Final.
Rohan Smith’s side wilted as early as the third minute in the 30-degree heat when Keighran rounded off a 30-metre move involving Tom Johnstone before converting from the touchline.
Then hooker Michael McIlorum slipped a short ball to put his captain Ben Garcia in close to the posts, Keighran converting to make it 12-0 after 12 minutes.
Three minutes later, Tom Davies struck on the right after more good work from McIlorum. Keighran curled the conversion in from the right touchline, bouncing it over on the crossbar.
Jack Sinfield was denied a response for an incorrect grounding and Catalans swept down the other end where Davies touched down for his second and Keighran added another touchline kick to make it 28-0 at half-time.
Mitchell Pearce, Johnstone and Keighran’s second – all converted by the Wigan-bound star – stretched the Catalans lead before Matt Ikuvalu benefited from great work from Garcia to bring up the hosts’ half-century.
Sam Tomkins stuck the boot in with a cheeky drop goal seven minutes from time as Catalans sought to squeeze out every spare point with one eye on the potentially crucial points difference in the final table.
Moments later the former England captain broke on an unlikely sprint to the line but he was halted by Harry Newman, who received a yellow card after a scuffle.
The game was wrapped up when Keighran scored his hat-trick and converted once again for a record Super League defeat for the Rhinos.
Sam Lisone was sin-binned for a late tackle as the final hooter blew and Keighran added the penalty, rounding off another day to forget for the Rhinos, whose final game of the season against Castleford next Friday is now rendered academic.
Hull FC 20-52 Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield produced a scintillating second-half performance to defeat Hull 52-20 in the Black and Whites’ final home game of the Super League season.
The game was finely poised early in the second half, with the Giants leading by just two points. However, the hosts collapsed under Huddersfield pressure, with the visitors scoring six tries to round off a miserable day for Tony Smith’s side.
Kevin Naiqama scores a try for the Huddersfield Giants against Hull FC
Jake Connor came back to haunt the Black and Whites, pulling his former team apart with the boot and out of the hands to ensure his side ran out comfortable winners.
Hull came into the game desperate to snap a four-game losing streak and send a host of departing players out as winners, while Huddersfield were keen to find some form in their final two outings to springboard into 2024.
However, after displaying some grit in the first half, the defence on show at times in the second was embarrassing from the home side, who had no answer to the slickness of Huddersfield, who head into the final game of the season full of confidence.
Huddersfield made a great start with Jermaine McGillvary showing slick hands before racing over untouched on the right to open the scoring.
Huddersfield’s Will Pryce (L) celebrates with Tui Lolohea after scoring a try.
The home side were not deterred and hit back swiftly with a try from Tex Hoy, who cut through the Giants line and rounded the full-back to score from close range and level up the scores.
Hull had gained the advantage and soon took the lead with a long-range try to Darnell McIntosh, who supported a break from Andre Savelio to score against his old club.
The Giants were having plenty of success off the boot and, off the back of another repeat set, Connor fired a perfect pass for Esan Marsters to score untouched and level the scores.
Huddersfield scored again just before the break to take the lead, Seb Ikahihifo beating several players before crashing over on the left.
Hull had to score in the second half and did through Savelio, who touched down from close range to cut the gap to four points.
That was as good as it got for the hosts though as the Giants cut loose in a blistering 25-minute spell which brought them six tries.
Kevin Naiqama scored a hat-trick, there was a well-taken double from Will Pryce and McGillvary completed his own double with a score out wide a few minutes from time.
Hull would have the final say though, with the retiring Scott Taylor crashing over under the posts and converting his own try in the last act of the game.
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