Catalans Dragons 33-16 Wigan Warriors: David Mead's double leads French side to victory in Barcelona
By Sky Sports Rugby League
Last Updated: 19/05/19 12:04am
David Mead ran in two tries as Catalans Dragons recorded a historic 33-16 victory over Wigan Warriors in Saturday's Super League clash at Barcelona's Nou Camp.
Tony Gigot kicked Catalans ahead from a penalty following a tense opening quarter and a converted try from ex-Wigan player Michael McIlorum took them eight points up against the run of play.
But Liam Marshall's superb solo try from over 40 metres out and Zak Hardaker's subsequent conversion kept the Warriors within touching distance at half time.
The Dragons took control when play resumed though, with Mead's double, plus one apiece from Samisoni Langi and Sam Kasino helping secure a memorable triumph in front of a record Super League attendance of 31,555.
The previous biggest gate for a regular Super League game was 25,004 for a Wigan versus St Helens derby in 2005 and the Dragons took this game to the capital of Catalonia to raise their profile.
It followed their historic Challenge Cup final over Warrington at Wembley last August which led to the Dragons being invited to play a home fixture at Camp Nou by FC Barcelona.
The Warriors, no strangers to playing games on the road in the Super League era, named an unchanged side for the first time this season while Catalans were missing former Wigan full-back Sam Tomkins through injury.
Gigot's penalty put Catalans 2-0 up, but the Dragons lost Greg Bird to injury before Wigan second-rower Joe Greenwood was hurt in a tackle and also forced to depart the action.
Moments later, Catalans opened the try-scoring in the 20th minute as ex-Wigan hooker McIlorum burrowed his way over the line from close range.
Gigot added the extras to make it 8-0 and the Dragons continued to defend impressively but could not prevent the Warriors breaching their line in the 39th minute.
Wigan centre Dan Sarginson's pass appeared to be forward but Marshall took it in his stride and had enough pace to race down the right flank and cross the line.
Full-back Hardaker converted to cut Catalans' lead to two points at the break and five minutes after the restart Marshall took a pass from Sarginson pass to go over again in the right corner.
But the winger was in touch and the video referee deemed it was no try - and Catalans then took complete control with three scores in seven minutes.
In the 48th minute, Wigan forward Sean O'Loughlin fumbled possession and Kasiano showed neat hands to send Mead over from close range.
A third Catalans try arrived in the 52nd minute when McIlorum found Langi and he dived over from close range.
Remarkably, Wigan's defence was breached again two minutes later when Kasiano took Jason Baitieri's pass and outmuscled the Wigan defence to score.
Gigot converted all three tries and then added a drop-goal to make it 27-6 before Catalans scored again in the 68th minute.
This time an errant pass from George Williams was seized upon by Mead who raced clear and Gigot converted to give him a personal haul of 13 points.
Wigan hit back late on through England centre Oliver Gildart in the left corner for an unconverted try.
Hardaker got their next try and also converted but Catalans were comfortable winners as they ended a 10-match losing streak against the Warriors.
Match reaction
Man of the match Samisoni Langi and Catalans head coach Steve McNamara were both delighted to take victory on a special occasion for the club.