Super League: Catalan Dragons inflict more misery on Wigan Warriors

The teams were level at half time as Scott Taylor's try cancelled out Federic Vaccari's opener for the Perpignan club.

However, it was all Catalan after the interval. Thomas Bosc and Pat Richards traded penalties before a second from Bosc gave the Dragons a two-point lead.

Further scores from 39-year-old Steve Menzies and Eloi Pelissier ensured a superb win for Laurent Frayssinous' men while it is a fifth defeat in seven Super League games for last season's League Leaders' Shield winners.

Naming Sam Tomkins in his side after an injury-hit summer gave coach Shaun Wane a great pre-match fillip, but the free-flowing full-back was unable to contribute too much in a stop-start opening period.

Wigan had plenty of the ball but constantly put it down and were made to pay as Catalan cashed in with 17 minutes gone as Freddie Vaccari crashed over for a score which was approved by the video referee.

Pressure

Thomas Bosc converted but the home side started to invite pressure with a series of errors which allowed Wigan to set up camp in their half.

Brent Webb's drop of a high kick under his own posts would not be punished, though, and it took a drinks break in the searing heat for Wigan to regroup.

After that they had a close call when Josh Charnley was denied by the video referee but, after three sets did not yield a try, Taylor took the direct route on the stroke of the half-time hooter and smashed his way over, with Pat Richards converting.

A cagey opening to the second half saw the two sides trade penalties through Bosc and Richards, but Catalan eventually got a hold of the piece and pulled clear.

Bosc split the posts with two more penalties to open a four-point gap and then Menzies pushed his way over in his farewell season.

Wigan were without response and Pelissier put them further out of sight with a try Bosc upgraded, while it took a fine saving tackle from Richards to deny a rampaging Webb.