Hunslet Hawks 12 Catalan Dragons 50: Hunslet fail to bridge gulf in class but coach Eaton pleased in defeat

The Catalans steamrollered their way to nine tries, scrum-half William Barthau completing a hat-trick, but his half-back partner Thomas Bosc was the kingpin, scoring a try, assisting in four others and landing seven goals.

Eaton confessed: “They are a very physical side and at times we struggled around the ruck with them. They lost a man sent off but that disrupted us more than them because we lost our influential scrum-half Luke Helliwell.”

Hooker Ian Henderson was shown a red card in the 27th minute for a high and late tackle on Helliwell, with Catalans leading 20-0. Helliwell was unable to return until the latter stages and Eaton added: “Losing Luke for so long really affected us.

“The boys put in a fantastic effort because there was a massive 75-25 possession difference in the first half and 
60-40 in the second. I am perplexed at some of the reasons for that, but the Catalans were very quick to grab an opportunity with both hands.

“We were held up over the line twice, had two tries ruled out and they scored from two interceptions, so my lads put in a good stint and I’ve told them I am proud of their efforts.”

Hunslet scored their first try in the 57th minute, James Houston offloading for prop Andy Yates to plunge over the line. And they snatched the game’s final touchdown when stand-off Danny Grimshaw sliced his way through, Helliwell adding the goal from near the touchline.

But the Hawks had little answer to Bosc, who repeatedly showed his French international calibre.

Catalan coach Laurent Frayssinous said: “We had a few young kids in the side with no experience so I decided to play Thomas so he could look after them and set the right example. I was very pleased with him.

“All credit to Hunslet for never giving up. We were a bit soft on the ball at times but we did enough to reach the next round, which is the most important thing.

“I need to watch a replay of the sending-off. I know it is forbidden to shoulder charge but it is pretty tough for a referee to decide whether to send a player off or put him on report.

“If the replay shows Ian deserved to be sent off I’ll have no problem with that.”

Hunslet: J. Watson, Kain, Wilson, Welham, Pryce, Grimshaw, Helliwell, Haley, Haigh, Houston, Haughey, S. Watson, March. Substitutes: Hood, Yates, Menzies, Clayton.

Catalan Dragons: Escare, Blanch, Pala, Baile, Vaccari, Bosc, Barthau, Simon, Henderson, Mounis, Taia, Larroyer, Baitieri. Substitutes: Pelissier, Maria, Guasch, Fakir.

Referee: G Stokes (RFL).