06 October 2023 , 21:52
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Proud Steve McNamara revealed Catalans spent ages practicing the dramatic play that got them to Old Trafford - and ended St Helens ’ four-year domination of Super League.
Nerveless Sam Tomkins scored a brilliant 79th minute solo try to win a remarkable semi-final at a sold-out Stade Gilbert Brutus. The ex-England captain, 34, knew this would be the last game of his glorious career if Dragons lost. Level at 6-6 heading into the final moments against 12-man Saints, the veteran full-back lined up a drop-goal.
But as his desperate opponents rushed in, Tomkins coolly stepped past and beat four defenders to surge 20m to send the Perpignan faithful crazy. Boss McNamara said: “What a game. It was so, so hard. We dropped our intensity at the start of the second half and let Saints back in.
“But we’ve practiced those (drop goal) scenarios these last two weeks. And for Sam to nail it at the end it was just an incredible effort. Saints must be distraught. They are such a champion team. But we found a way.
"We’ve improved so many things in our team the last couple of years and that composure at the back end - when we might not have got there - ultimately got us to the final. Super League’s been monopolised by four teams with Wigan, Saints, Bradford and Leeds all winning it. Someone has to break that dominance. We missed one a couple of years ago but now we need to go get it.”
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World Club champions Saints had hoped to make it a record-extending fifth Super League title. But instead Catalans, who lost their first Grand Final attempt against Saints two years ago, will face either Wigan or Hull KR next Saturday. And instead of Tomkins, it’s St Helens legend James Roby, 37, who enters retirement after a superb career.
Sam Tomkins scores the match-winning try in the 79th minute of Catalans' semi-final against St Helens (Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)St Helens’ England prop Matty Lees was sin-binned for a blatant professional foul, lying on Tom Johnstone in the 72nd minute to kick off the dramatic last act. Adam Keighran slotted his third penalty to level a fractious and bruising encounter. Saints had taken a 6-2 lead with Will Hopoate’s 50th minute try, converted by Percival.
But they were lucky not to see Sione Mata’utia sin-binned as well for a first half swinging arm on Tomkins. Emotional Saints boss Paul Wellens said: “Sport’s very cruel. There’s a lot of emotions right now but these men went out there to die together and I’ll always be proud of them.
"Professional sport at the top end is small, fine margins. I couldn't have asked for anymore and we knew at some point this run had to end."