TOULOUSE Olympique’s ‘Mr Magic’ Olly Ashall-Bott cast his spell in Castres to help his side secure a first win over Catalans Dragons in the French leg of Super League’s Magic Weekend.
The full-back ran in two tries on the back of making 240 metres with an average gain of 12 metres per carry, 11 tackle busts and three clean breaks, as well as providing two assists in the 60-18 rout of Toulouse’s French rivals.
Player of the match Ashall-Bott’s showing was particularly impressive given it was his first appearance since June 6, but the 28-year-old Widnesian was just as happy for what Olympique’s biggest win in Super League meant as it put them behind 10th-placed Hull FC on points difference.
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“I feel we put everything into practice tonight and to come up with a score like that – I’m not sure anyone predicted that, but get that in you,” Ashall-Bott told Sky Sports.
“I’m not a big stat guy so I don’t look too much into that, I just want the team to win and the team to do well, and that’s my main priority.
“We really needed those two points – a couple of teams are climbing up the ladder below us, so I think that was a big statement from Toulouse tonight.”
Toulouse trailed 12-8 after converted tries from Kruise Leeming and Toby Sexton put Catalans in the ascendancy, but never looked back after running in five scores of their own to lead 32-12 at half time at Stade Pierre-Fabre.
Luke Polselli, Mathieu Jussaume and Brendan Hands joined Ashall-Bott in crossing for two tries apiece, with Paul Ulberg and Thomas Lacans also going over, along with Jack Shorrocks kicking 10 goals.
It meant Toulouse captain Anthony Marion enjoyed an extra-special night too as he made a club-record 262nd appearance, and head coach Sylvain Houles was full of praise for the entire team while acknowledging Ashall-Bott’s stand-out display.
“Everyone knows he’s a massive player…he provides the missing [piece in the] puzzle sometimes,” Houles told Sky Sports.
“All our 17 were tremendous today…we just clicked and we played really well today.
“It’s a lot of hard work and very good connections.”
Despite the win, Toulouse remain 12 points off sixth-placed St Helens, who face bitter rivals Wigan Warriors on day two of Magic Weekend in Liverpool on Sunday.
Even so, Ashall-Bott remains cautiously optimistic for what they can achieve in their first season back in Super League.
“When we really put our minds to it, we can cause trouble for other teams,” Ashall-Bott said.
“I’d love to say [Toulouse can] push for top six, but anything is possible. Let’s just go for it.”
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