Mcqueen tries see Giants quench the dragon’s fire
Super League leaders Catalans Dragons suffered a surprise 22-14 defeat to Huddersfield Giants in heatwave conditions in the south of France.
Two tries from Aussie veteran second-row Chris Mcqueen were the difference between the teams. Huddersfield were full value for their 14-12 half-time lead and their defence held firm after the break, giving coach Ian Watson some relief before this week’s crucial bottom-of-the-table clash with Wakefield Trinity.
Les Dracs were pegged back early on when scrum-half Tui Lolohea mopped up a loose pass and released Kevin Naiqama for a 50-metre sprint to finish behind the posts, Olly Russell adding the conversion to make it 6-0 to the visitors after eight minutes. But Catalans hit straight back when stand-off Tyrone May split the line and found winger Tom Davies, who finished with a 30-metre flourish to touch down in the right corner. Full-back Arthur Mourgue was on target with the conversion from the touchline to level the scores. Russell put the Giants back in front with a 25th-minute penalty, then Lolohea burst through the Dragons’ defence for the second time from half-way with secondrow Mcqueen in support to finish between the posts, Russell adding the conversion to make it 14-6. Again the Dragons hit straight back when centre Matt Ikuvalu put Davies in for his second try in the right corner, Mourgue again on target with the conversion. Ahead 14-12 at the interval, Huddersfield came out fighting in the second-half. The game was paused while Giants’ second-row Harvey Livett was treated for a shoulder injury then the scores were levelled with a penalty by Mourgue, who had to be helped from the pitch moments later with an apparent ankle injury. Mcqueen struck for a crucial second try in the 61st minute with an acute-angled slice through the line to score from 10 metres out. Russell added the conversions and the Giants’ 300-strong band of supporters were singing in the sunshine at 20-14 ahead. Catalans’ composure crumbled and when referee Kendall penalised the Dragons for offside in front of their own posts, up stepped Russell with the conversion to seal the win.