Catalans Cup win adds to Hull woes

Jun 11 2007 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

CATALANS Dragons reached the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup for the first time after a thrilling 26-23 triumph over Hull FC at the KC Stadium.

The damage was done in the opening quarter as the French opened up a 16-2 lead with two tries from Adam Mogg and a score from John Wilson.

Hull hit back through tries from Shaun Briscoe and Paul King, while Danny Tickle's fourth goal and a drop from Richard Horne put them 17-16 ahead.

But Catalans regained the lead after a goal, two drops and a Clint Greenshields try, and a late Sid Domic try was not enough.

And it was a win which Catalans coach Mick Potter believes will do the game a power of good in the South of France.

"It's a great thing for the new club in France," said the Australian.

"Personally, I'm rapped with how the players applied themselves. It's a difficult place to play at, it's a daunting task to come to Hull for any game, but to go into the semi-final of the Challenge Cup is great.

"I hope we won't be there to make up the numbers in the semi-finals. It's only 80 minutes of football. If you can get away to a good start and frustrate the other side, you never know.

"It's just a shame we'll have to come over to England to play the semi.

"But it will be a neutral venue and we're pretty used to the travel. It's not a hardship for us and we're happy to travel if that's what the RFL decide."

The defeat increases the pressure on Hull coach Peter Sharp, who has seen his side slip to 10th in Super League with just six wins from their opening 16 matches, and this latest result was met by a chorus of boos.

"The players are out there trying. Sometimes it doesn't happen, but they're out there trying their best," said Sharp.

"Sometimes, for whatever reason, it just doesn't happen, booing teams isn't for me.

"If they're true fans, they'll get behind their team and they do here, for the best part. It's sad that they booed the players.

"They pay their money and they're entitled to their opinion. They're probably as frustrated as the rest of us. The players are frustrated too. We just need to roll our sleeves up and work as hard as we can.

"We were chasing a big lead and played poorly."

The Dragons and Bradford Bulls are joined in Wednesday's semi-final draw by St Helens, who beat Warrington 25-14 on Saturday, and Wigan, 25-6 victors over Harlequins the night before.