Brian McDermott is always one to talk things down but it was hard to argue with the Leeds coach’s viewpoint after this victory against Catalans Dragons. “We certainly haven’t achieved anything yet,” was the message from McDermott after Leeds secured top spot in Super League before the Super 8s; with the new league structure in place his statement has obvious merit.
In a materialistic sense finishing first means nothing; there are no trophies handed out until the conclusion of the Super 8s, meaning that Leeds’ job is far from done. But they will head into the unknown of the inaugural Super 8s as undoubtedly Super League’s best team in the first 23 weeks of the season and arguably the favourites to go on and finish top when it really matters in several weeks’ time.
With the England winger Tom Briscoe marking his return to the side with a hat-trick, Leeds head into their Challenge Cup semi-final against St Helens next week still believing they can become the first team since Saints in 2006 to win every domestic trophy available in a season. This mission is boosted by their top-four finish, which means they will have four games at home and only three away in the Super 8s.
“We never said we needed to be top after 23 rounds – it’s after 30 rounds what matters,” said McDermott. “Yes, we want to be top at all times but it wasn’t a target for us to finish top at this stage of the year and we certainly haven’t achieved anything yet.”
The Catalans chairman, Bernard Gausch, demanded talks with the Rugby Football League last week after refereeing inconsistencies he claimed had “robbed” his side of wins but the harsh truth is that Catalans are simply a different side when playing in England.
They have a solitary win to their name across the Channel in 2015 and that was at the bottom side, Wakefield. Their eighth-placed finish means they have only three games at home and four away trips in the Super 8s. Given they are already eight points behind fourth place with only 14 left to play for, their season is already beginning to fade into mediocrity.
“We challenged Leeds for 60 minutes without even playing that great,” said the Catalans coach, Laurent Frayssinous. “We made too many errors but we challenged them and that’s pleasing. It will be hard from here; you never know what happens with other results but we’ll just have to wait and see. I know that we’ll play with pride regardless of where we finish though.”
It took Briscoe only four minutes to break the deadlock, crossing after good work from his fellow England international Kallum Watkins to create the initial space for the winger to score. Catalans responded strongly and they led after the opening half-hour thanks to tries from Tony Gigot and the full-back, Morgan Escaré.
But Leeds were in front at the interval thanks to a quickfire double from Mitch Garbutt and Briscoe’s second before a penalty from Kevin Sinfield five minutes after the break made it 18-10.
Catalans continued to challenge the league leaders and when the impressive Scott Dureau dummied his way over the line the Leeds lead had been suddenly cut to two.
But from thereon Leeds were too strong; another penalty from Sinfield was swiftly followed by a brilliant solo score from Watkins. Brett Delaney was put in by Briscoe before the winger completed his hat-trick with a typically impressive finish. At 36-16 there was no way back for the Dragons but Gigot got his second 10 minutes from the end at least to add some respectability to the scoreline for the Frenchmen.
Leeds Hardaker; Briscoe, Watkins, Keinhorst, Hall; Sinfield, Burrow; Leuluai, AIton, Peacock, Delaney, Ablett, Singleton.
Interchange Jones-Buchanan, Cuthbertson, McGuire (unused), Garbutt.
Tries Briscoe 3, Garbutt, Watkins, Delaney. Goals Sinfield 6.
Catalans Dragons Escaré; Inu, Gigot, Tonga, Sigismeau; Carney, Dureau; Elima, Henderson, Lima, Whitehead, Pomeroy, Baitieri.
Interchange Pelissier, Garcia, Bousquet, Margalet.
Tries Gigot 2, Escaré, Dureau. Goals Dureau 3.
Referee J Child. Attendance 15,534
