CATALANS overcome travel delays and the loss of their most experienced player to outlast Tesi Niu-inspired Leigh.
“Everything was against us,” man-of-the-match Kruise Leeming said after a 22-16 triumph at Leigh Sports Village.
“Coming over here, big long travel, the lads (had) a couple of injuries befoee the game started.
“We thought we’d landed, we went to get off the flight and we’d landed in Bordeaux. We had a four or five hour layover there but to all the sports scientists out there, it doesn’t matter about your prep does it?
“You can still do what you want and get a win.”
Perth-bound halfback Toby Sexton was among the main destroyers and Catalans held on for their second win of the year.
Niu opened the tryscoring in the eighth minute and when Catalans looked like they were safe with 15 minutes to go, he followed up with a brilliant individual touchdown from 80 metres out.
In between, touchdowns to Oli Wilson (19th minute), Charlie Staines (46) and Lewis Dodd (54) saw Catalans take control – with the Leopards posting one during that period, to Innes Senior.
Leo Darrelatour, the man called into the side for Makinson swooped on a loose ball and raced 70 metres before the crucial Dodd score.
Sexton, who will join the Bears next year, kicked five goals from as many attempts and was involved in everything in attack.
The Dragons were hit with their own injury blow when experienced winger Tommy Makinson pulled out in the warm-up.
CATALANS 22Â (Wilson Staines Dodd tries Sexton 5 goals) bt LEIGH 16 (Niu 2 Senior tries Cook 2 goals) at Leigh Sports Village. Referee: Griffiths.