Nothing, it seems, can stop Catalans Dragons right now.
The French side registered a club record-extending 12th successive Super League victory, against Hull Kingston Rovers, to maintain their position at the summit.
It was not pretty, nor particularly inspiring, but it did not need to be.
Romain Franco, making his debut on the right wing, scored a first-half opener and Samisoni Langi added a second early in the second period.
Although Hull KR responded through Adam Quinlan, Sam Tomkins added a third try for Steve McNamara’s side, who maintained their impressive title challenge despite a raucous home crowd of 6,347.
Advertisement
With each passing week, belief grows that this could finally be their year.
This was Catalans’ third game in ten days and, despite the hosts peppering Franco with a stream of high kicks early on, McNamara’s side gradually took control and ran out worthy victors.
“I think it’s a good as a win as we’ve had in the circumstances,” McNamara, the head coach, said. “There was every reason not to come here and win, with the injuries we’ve picked up recently and with Hull KR having a full crowd back in the ground.
“But we came here with some young boys and did a really professional job. I’m as proud of the group as I’ve ever been, because through adversity, through winning, they have been great. The boys have done us proud tonight.”
In a first half of precious few tryscoring opportunities, Catalans forged ahead in the 39th minute, when Tomkins’s neat pass found Franco, who dived over in the right corner.
Advertisement
James Maloney added the conversion and, two minutes after the interval, Langi added a second Catalans try from close range.
Rovers responded when Quinlan galloped through to score but Catalans made sure of victory with 11 minutes remaining.
Tomkins weaved through a leaden-footed home defence to score, ensuring Quinlan’s late second was mere consolation.
Tomkins, the England full back, was outstanding throughout and might have missed the match with his wife heavily pregnant.
McNamara said: “Charlotte Tomkins is due to give birth tomorrow, so we weren’t sure if Sam was going to make the trip.
Advertisement
“But his performance tonight was incredible and he showed what a genuine leader he is.”
Tony Smith, the Hull KR head coach, admitted: “Tomkins is a special player and always difficult to play against.”
Rovers have made significant strides under Smith and the Australian could not fault the desire of his players, whose play-off hopes took a dent.
“I’m not saying we’ve come a long way, but we’re coming a long way,” Smith said.
“We’re competing with a top of the league side there and, a couple of years ago, had we lost to the best team in the competition, we probably would have said, ‘Well, we had a good crack at it.’
Advertisement
“But there is a different disappointment now and we go into every game feeling we have a chance. I can’t knock my boys’ efforts; they were terrific in many ways.
“We’re not perfect yet — by a long shot — but each time I challenge them, they challenge each other.”
Hull Kingston Rovers A Quinlan; B Crooks, G Minikin, S Kenny-Dowall, R Hall; B Takairangi, J Abdull; G King, M Parcell, W Maher, K Linnett, L Johnson, D Hadley.
Interchange A Vete, J Litten, G Lawler, M Storton.
Tries Quinlan (2). Goals Abdull (4).
Catalans Dragons S Tomkins; R Franco, S Langi, D Whare, F Yaha; J Maloney, J Drinkwater; G Dudson, A Da Costa, B Jullien, M McMeeken, J Tomkins.
Interchange A Mourgue, P Seguier, J Chan, S Kasiano.
Tries Tomkins, Langi, Franco. Goals Maloney (5).
Referee Robert Hicks.
