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Sam Tomkins' try was enough to take Catalans back to Old Trafford for a second Grand Final in three years| Catalans (2) 12 |
| Tries: Tomkins Goals: Keighran 4 |
| St Helens (0) 6 |
| Tries: Hopoate Goals: Percival |
Sam Tomkins came up with the clutch play and try to take Catalans Dragons back to the Grand Final and end St Helens' hold on the Super League title.
In a ferocious first half, the only points came from Adam Keighran for Catalans, who saw Tom Johnstone's try ruled out for a push on Jonny Lomax.
Will Hopoate crossed to put Saints in front but Keighran's goals drew the Dragons level in a tight affair.
In the last seconds, Tomkins dummied to kick and scored to spark celebrations.
Tomkins' influence on Catalans since his move to Perpignan five seasons ago has been keenly felt, and it was fitting in his final season that he was the man to deliver a second Grand Final in three years.
While he was able to celebrate the big moment with a champagne finish, thoughts turned to James Roby and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, both of whom were bowing out with Saints after stellar careers.
Both sides gave everything in a match which before the explosive finish was as nerve-shredding and physical as any play-off game.
From minute one the tone was set by defensive savagery - so much so that points were at a premium and neither attack really got going in a pulsating Perpignan atmosphere.
More to follow.
Catalans: Tomkins; Davies, Keighran, Ikuvalu, Johnstone; May, Pearce; Taukeiaho, McIlorum, McMeeken, Seguier, Whitley, Garcia.
Interchanges: Mourgue, Bousquet, Navarrete, Ma'u.
St Helens: Welsby; Makinson, Percival, Hopoate, Bennison; Lomax, Dodd; McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Roby, Lees, Mata'utia, Sironen, Knowles.
Interchanges: Walmsley, Bell, Delaney, Mbye.
Referee: Chris Kendall (RFL)
English (US) ·