Catalans Dragons went high of Tremendous League as they edged previous title rivals St Helens in Perpignan, due to Matt Ikuvalu’s second-half rating.
Jack Welsby and Tommy Makinson tries gave Saints a half-time lead, scoring both facet of Mike McMeeken’s transformed effort for Catalans.
There was little between the 2 groups as they repelled one another defensively in a brutal affair.
Ikuvalu raced throughout for the essential rating as Catalans sealed the win.
This was a battle of two sides constructed on defence, and it confirmed on an evening the place tackles had been ferocious, and either side noticed gamers feeling the tempo in direction of the top.
Catalans misplaced Jordan Abdull to a leg harm and Tom Johnstone following a head conflict with team-mate Tariq Sims, whereas Saints noticed Daryl Clark withdrawn after a shuddering rib shot.
Saints had been alert and alive to take the lead when Welsby danced throughout with Catalans clocked off from a scrum-play.
McMeeken’s strive was a results of route-one energy for Catalans, working excessive of the guests’ defence, however they discovered themselves behind after Makinson discovered a niche to the touch down earlier than the hooter.
The second half was an attritional battle between the 2 groups, however Catalans had the composure to make their rating rely.
Lewis Dodd was held out by an impressive Mourgue deal with, after an attractive move by James Bell put Jake Wingfield in to dump.
Against this, Australian Ikuvalu took a move as Catalans pushed large, in the reduction of inside amid Saints cries of obstruction, and after a prolonged overview the rating was given.
Saints stored battling to the final, however the dwelling facet did sufficient to stem their circulate and consign them to a second defeat of the season.
Catalans: Mourgue; Davies, Ikuvalu, Romano, Johnstone; Abdull, Fages; McMeeken, Da Costa, Navarrete, Sims, Seguier, Garcia.
Interchanges: Laguerre, Rouge, Satae, Maria
St Helens: Welsby; Makinson, Hurrell, Mata’utia, Bennison; Lomax, Dodd; Walmsley, Clark, Delaney, Sironen, Whitley, Knowles
Interchanges: Batchelor, Mbye, Bell, Wingfield
Referee: Liam Moore