Warriors beaten in Wheelchair European Championship

[josie andrews]

* Wigan Warriors fell to defeat against Catalans Dragons in the Wheelchair European Championship at Robin Park.

* Declan Roberts (x3) and Adam Rigby (x2) scored tries for the Warriors in a spirited performance against the reigning French champions.

* FT | Wigan Warriors Wheelchair 28-68 Catalans Dragons Wheelchair.

WIGAN WARRIORS WERE BEATEN 68-28 IN A SPIRITED PERFORMANCE BY CATALANS DRAGONS IN THE WHEELCHAIR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP AT ROBIN PARK.

Despite a Declan Roberts hat-trick and an Adam Rigby double, the Super League champions fell to defeat against the Coup de France winners in front of a packed out Robin Park.

Report

Wigan got the clash underway in front of an electric atmosphere, and despite being penned in their in-goal area in the early stages, a fantastic drop out from Declan Roberts turned possession over to the Warriors in a threatening position.

Phil Roberts’ carry through the middle took Wigan to a metre out before D. Roberts snuck the ball down to open the scoring before he successfully added the extras to give Wigan a six point lead after seven minutes.

Catalans levelled the contest five minutes later when a quick move created space for Damien Dore to touch down his first in the corner, before a switch of play saw Dore break clear down the line to score a second soon after. Sebastien Bechara was successful with both attempts to put Catalans 12-6 ahead.

Despite the French champions extending their lead through Jeremy Bourson, the Warriors responded immediately to reduce the points difference after a clever dummy from D. Roberts allowed him to touch down his second of the evening as he once more added the extras.

The electric start to the contest continued at Robin Park as Bechara crossed to put Catalans 12-points ahead on 25 minutes, before the French side widened their lead soon after when Arno Vargas collected a loose ball to go the full length.

Dore crossed for his third try of the evening after 34 minutes before two tries in quick succession from Bourson put the visitors 46-12 ahead at the interval.

Catalans struck first after the restart when Bourson collected a kick over the top to touch down his fourth try of the evening, before he added his fifth three minutes later when he finished off a fine attacking move to make the score 58-12.

Despite Catalans widening the points difference once more, the Warriors produced an immediate response when Adam Rigby touched down following a kick from D. Roberts who then added the extras from the tee.

The Warriors continued to build momentum off the back of the try, and after forcing a drop out, a delicate kick through from D. Roberts narrowly evaded Martin Lane in the corner.

Despite a sixth try of the evening from Dore, a firm defensive effort from the Warriors was followed up with a fine attacking move as powerful carries from Lane and Phil Roberts allowed D. Roberts to find Rigby with a perfect pass who went over in the corner to make the score 68-22.

The Warriors’ continued to apply pressure to the Catalans defence and their efforts were rewarded when D. Roberts completed his hat-trick after he found enough space to touch down next to the sticks. The Warriors half added the extras to reduce the score to 68-28.

An evenly contested final 10 minutes was played out at Robin Park, and after neither team were able to add points to their totals, the contest finished 68-28 as Catalans became the first wheelchair team to be crowned European Champions.

Wigan Warriors: Chris Greenhalgh, Nathan Roberts, Declan Roberts, Adam Rigby, Phil Roberts.

Interchanges: Martin Lane, Mark Williams, Matt Wooloff.

Tries: D. Roberts (7′, 21′, 71′), Rigby (53′, 65′).

Goals: D. Roberts (4/5).

Catalans Dragons: Sebastien Bechara, Bourson Jeremy, Damien Dore, Victor Puly, Arno Vargas.

Interchanges: Gilles Clausells, Joel Lacombe, Jorge Gelade Panzo, Cyril Torres.

Tries: Dore (12′, 15′, 34′, 50′, 58′), Bourson (17′, 38′, 40′, 45′, 48′), Bechara (25′), Vargas (29′).

Goals: Bechara (10/13).

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/04/ ... mpionship/