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Departing Fiji worldwide Naiqama, who was additionally awarded the Harry Sunderland Trophy for man of the match, crossed twice as St Helens edged out Catalans to change into solely the second crew to file three straight Tremendous League Grand Last triumphs
By Marc Bazeley at Outdated Trafford
Final Up to date: 09/10/21 9:07pm
St Helens celebrated a third-straight Grand Last triumph
Kevin Naiqama signed off his time with St Helens a Tremendous League Grand Last hero as his two tries helped them defeat Catalans Dragons 12-10 at Outdated Trafford and seal three titles in a row.
Naiqamaโs unconverted try to a penalty from Lachlan Coote had Saints holding a slender two-point lead at half-time, with James Maloney slotting over two penalties to maintain the League Leadersโ Protect winners hanging onto their coattails.
The sport was turned on its head early within the second half as a yellow card for Tommy Makinson and a transformed strive from Mike McMeeken put the Dragons forward, however a second from Saintsโ Fiji worldwide centre, who now returns to Australia, and the conversion from Coote snatched victory.
The outcome noticed Saints clinch their eighth Grand Last triumph and ninth Tremendous League title general, in addition to matching the nice Leeds Rhinos crew of 2007 to 2009 by securing a third-successive win within the end-of-season decider.
It additionally dashed Catalansโ desires โ for this 12 months, at the least โ of turning into the primary abroad aspect to win the Grand Last after the common season completed with the Perpignan-based outfit claiming an historic League Leadersโ Protect success.
As anticipated, Sam Tomkins made his return to the Catalans aspect at full-back from a knee harm, with Arthur Mourgue dropping to the bench after beginning within the 28-10 semi-final win over a Hull Kingston Rovers on a memorable evening in Perpignan 9 days earlier.
James Maloney kicked two first-half penalties for Catalans
Gil Dudson additionally returned to the beginning line-up at prop rather than Tomkinsโ brother Joel, who was named among the many interchanges. St Helens, in the meantime, caught with the identical match-day 17 from their 36-8 semi-final win at residence to Leeds Rhinos.
It was the reigning champions who had been on high for the opening minutes, with centre Naiqama and winger Makinson each testing the Dragonsโ defence as Saints repeatedly probed on their proper aspect early on.
An indication of how excessive tensions had been too got here when Sione Mataโutia and James Maloney โ joined by respective team-mates Morgan Knowles and Tomkins โ had been concerned in a minor confrontation, however Catalansโ Australian stand-off shook that off to kick them forward after 10 minutes.
Kevin Naiqama squeezes the ball down for his first strive
It got here on the again of the Dragonsโ first actual assault after Maloney charged down Lachlan Cooteโs kick and regathered the ball, adopted by the two-time NRL Grand Last winner slotting over a penalty from 35 metres out after St Helens had been pinged for offside.
The Saints followers within the Stretford Finish didnโt have to attend lengthy to have one thing to cheer about although and as soon as once more it got here from an assault down their proper, with Coote releasing Naiqama to jink by means of the defence and end for an unconverted strive.
A excessive sort out from Catalans captain Benjamin Garcia on Jonny Lomax gifted Hull Kingston Rovers-bound full-back Coote the chance so as to add one other two factors for St Helens on 22 minutes, which he duly took.
Tommy Makinson was sin-binned for this excessive sort out on Fouad Yaha
A second penalty from Maloney 4 minutes later following Mark Percival coughing up possession and St Helens being penalised for offside simply moments after that they had earned a turnover in their very own 20-metre zone stored the Dragons inside touching distance.
It then wanted some wonderful defence from Catalans to stop Saints growing their lead earlier than the break as they attacked down the left on the again of Sam Kasiano gifting away a penalty for a excessive sort out, with Regan Grace being bundled into contact 10 metres out.
Six minutes into the second half although, St Helens discovered themselves on the again foot as Makinson grew to become the primary participant to be sin-binned in a Tremendous League Grand Last for taking out reverse quantity Fouad Yaha with a excessive sort out because the France worldwide bore down on the try-line.
Catalans have fun Mike McMeekenโs strive
Jack Welsbyโs interception from a wild offload by Garcia noticed the eight-time Tremendous League champions survive the fast aftermath, however then Coote taking the ball into contact whereas attempting to get well a kick from Josh Drinkwater put the Dragons within the ascendancy once more.
And the French aspect took full benefit within the 51st minute as scrum-half Drinkwater dinked a kick to the suitable nook which Tom Davies managed to bat down for second row McMeeken to assemble and end from shut vary, adopted by Maloney changing.
Nonetheless, the Saints confirmed as soon as once more they need to by no means be written off when again to 13 males and edged again in entrance with 14 minutes to go when Lomax slid a grubber kick in behind the Dragons defence which Naiqama chased down to complete, adopted by Coote including the extras.
St Helens man of the match Kevin Naiqama goes over for his second strive
The try-scorer was compelled off for evaluation of a head harm sustained whereas going over, however the 32-year-oldโs evening was capped by him acquired the Harry Sunderland Trophy for man of the match from Rob Burrow as his team-mates noticed the match out for a memorable win.
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By the tip of the Tremendous League Grand Last, Kevin Naiqama had two tries, a sore head and the participant of the match trophy.
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Steve McNamara stated it was heart-breaking however a significant step ahead for Catalans after shedding within the Grand Last.
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Kristian Woolf described his crew as particular group after the Saints gained their third Grand Last in a row
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