Slice of history for the classy Catalans
RENAISSANCE, redemption, resistance. One of the greatest tales in rugby league history was written at Wembley with all three of the above featuring in abundance as Catalans Dragons emerged victorious from a brutal battle with Warrington Wolves to become the first non-English side to lift the Challenge Cup.
Renaissance for a sport that has almost died in France on a number of occasions since union-loving Nazi sympathising members of the Vichy government in World War Two banned it.
Redemption for Dragons coach SteveMc Na mara, whose last appearance under the arch saw his England side cruelly dumped out of the 2013 World Cup semi-finals with a last-minute New Zealand try.
Resistance from the brave, bloodied underdogs who somehow withstood a barrage of late Warrington pressure in a tumultuous war of attrition to come out 20-14 victors and pick up the first silverware in their 12-year history.
That a crowd of just 50,672 was there to see it — the smallest for a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley since 1937— was a tragedy. Even that figure seemed generous, with swathes of red empty red seats providing a sad backdrop to a momentous day.
Something must be done to inject life into this showcase event. The product deserves a bigger audience. But enough of the gloom. This was a wonderful afternoon for all of those who travelled here — except if you were from Warrington.
Last year, Catalans were 80 minutes from Super League relegation. Here, thanks to their Herculean pack and the sublime craft of manof-the-match full-back Tony Gigot, they were in utopia.
Tries from Lewis Tierney, Ben Garcia and Brayden Wiliame, and four goals from the immaculate boot of Josh Drinkwater, with a soli- tary Ben Murdoch-Masila try and Tyrone Roberts conversion in response, appeared to have them home and hosed at 20-6. But a try from the Wolves’ George King on 56 minutes and two more goals from Roberts set up a frantic finale. The Dragons, seemingly out on their feet, hung on.
‘It was incredible for us,’ said a suitably dishevelled McNamara, who insisted he had no point to prove after losing the England job in 2015. ‘We played really well for 55 minutes then nearly blew it.’
The most popular Yorkshireman in France also hailed the 5,000 or so who, at no small cost, with just three weeks’ notice, managed to cross the Channel. ‘These people have made such a huge effort to come here,’ he said. ‘I’m pleased for them and our owners and I’m over the moon. It’s a bit surreal.’
The magnitude of the achievement, and the distance travelled by his own squad in 12 months, was not lost on the coach. ‘They deserve it,’ he said. ‘They’ve been through so much.’
The Wolves hammered at the door late on but could not find a way through. Their day was encapsulated when winger Tom Lineham, presented with a rare sight of the line, inexplicably dived about five yards too soon. The bone dry turf stopped him well short and he was unceremoniously bundled i nto touch. Lineham has a mannequin he calls Cynthia which he stands in his bedroom window to scare his neighbours. It might not be the only dummy in the house. It was no laughing matter for Warrington’ coach Steve Price, who himself has turned around a club that flirted with relegation last year.
‘Give credit where it’s due,’ the magnanimous Australian admitted. ‘ I thought they were the better team. They came with a game plan and had a lot of energy. We did well to come back into it and had our chances but it wasn’t to be. They were gallant. It’s gut wrenching to lose a final.’
So England invents the game and France wins the big prize. Where else have we seen that this summer? CATALANS: Gigot, Tierney, Mead, Wiliame, Yaha, Langi, Drinkwater, Simon, McIlorum, Moa, Jullien, Garcia, Casty. Interchanges: Bousquet, Baitieri, Edwards, Goudemand. Tries: Tierney, Garcia, Wiliame. Goals: Drinkwater 4. WARRINGTON: Ratchford, Lineham, Goodwin, T King, Charnley, Brown, Roberts, Hill, Clark, Cooper, Livett, Hughes, Westwood. Interchanges: Murdoch-Masila, G King, Patton, Philbin. Tries: Murdoch-Masila, King. Goals: Roberts 3. Referee: R Hicks (Oldham).