Challenge Cup: Catalan Dragons slay York City Knights
Catalan Dragons made predictably short work of seeing off York City Knights with a 92-8 victory in the Challenge Cup.
Last Updated: 12/05/13 5:51pm
The home side had it all their own way against the Championship side from the seventh minute onwards, after trailing to an early Tom Carr penalty.
Eloi Pelissier and Thomas Bosc were the Knight's tormentors-in-chief as the Dragons raced into a 46-2 half-time lead, second-rower Kevin Larroyer scoring four tries to add to efforts from Daryl Millard, Morgan Escare (two) and Bosc, who also added seven conversions from eight attempts.
After the break, the Dragons carried on where they left off as they scored three tries in the opening seven minutes.
Vincent Duport, Escare and Damien Blanch all went over to extend the Dragons' lead to 62-2, with Bosc adding a further two conversions to add to his tally.
York chanced their arm and thought they had scored in the 50th minute only to have the try ruled out for a double movement by referee Thierry Alibert.
Catalan raced up field and Jamal Fakir powered his way over from 10 metres out, Barthau adding the conversion after Bosc had been substituted.
Catalans could not handle the restart and from the goal-line drop out, York scored their consolation, with Chris Bining going over. Carr added the goal to take the score to 68-8.
The French hosts quickly re-asserted their superiority with Zeb Taia, Remi Casty (2) and Barthau going over in the last 12 minutes of the game.
Barthau also kicked five goals from as many attempts.