PEET’S SAKE
Matt’s Warriors given a French lesson by rampant Dragons
WIGAN learned a hard French lesson after being put to the sword by Catalans, according coach Matt Peet.
Wigan slipped and slided in wet conditions at Stade Gilbert Brutus but Peet (right) admitted: “It was bad for both sides and we need to be much better than that.
“We came to France to beat Toulouse and Catalans and we need to learn some lessons from this.
“We will find out where we are as a group in how we react to tonight’s performance.”
Catalans were too big and strong, with the return of prop Gil Dudson and hooker Michael McIlorum from suspension and not even the return of captain Thomas Leuluai and centre Jake Bibby could rescue the points for Wigan.
But it was the return of Sam Tomkins that had the biggest influence on this game, the former Wigan star tormented his old club with a brilliant display with ball and boot.
Catalans dominated the early stages, camped in Wigan’s half as the Warriors struggled to retain control of the ball in slippery conditions.
And when John Bateman lost possession 10 metres from his own line, Mitchell Pearce weaved through a sleeping Wigan defence to pounce beside the posts for the first try of the game and Tomkins made it 6-0 with the conversion after 18 minutes.
Wigan were penalised for a high shot on Ben Garcia and Tomkins extended the lead with a shot at goal then struck a second after the Warriors were punished for tackling without the ball.
Both sides were struggling in possession as the heavens continued to open and when McIlorum put a grubber kick to the Wigan line, Mickael Goudemand was first to mop up and plant the ball over the line, Tomkins’ conversion making it 16-0 at half-time.
Three penalties in a row got Wigan moving forward early in the second-half but again possession let them down as the rain fell.
Catalans extended their lead to 22-0 when Pearce pounced for his second – Tomkins adding his fifth kick of the night.
Samisoni Langi slid over the line in the 62nd minute to make it 28-0 with Tomkins’ conversion.
Tempers flared at the end with Kaide Ellis and Jordan Dezaria both being shown red cards by referee Robert Hicks for throwing punches at each other.
“Catalans away was always going to be a difficult task,” added Peet.
“I was particularly disappointed with Kaide’s red card and I will have to take a look at that.”
CATALANS: Tries: Pearce (2), Goudeman, Langi. Pens: Tomkins (2) Cons: Tomkins (4).