Tomkins Inspires Dragons in Spectacular Display on Return from Retirement
Catalans Dragons 24-16 Hull FC
Sam Tomkins showed Catalans Dragons exactly what they have been missing after a sensational and typically controversial return to playing in a 24-16 win over Hull FC.
Ten months after retiring, the former England captain returned to action in a blistering battle with the Airlie Birds at Stade Gilbert Brutus and took control of the game from start to finish.
It had to be Tomkins who helped get the scoreboard rolling with a chip and chase in the third minute from 20 metres out and a tip back to hooker Michael McIlorum who grounded over the line, Arthur Mourgue converting for an early 6-0 lead.
McIlorum had to leave the field in the next set with a calf injury but Catalans suffered an even bigger loss when Australian second-rower Tariq Sims was sent off for a high shot on Ed Chamberlain, who needed a Head Injury Assessment, which he later passed.
Hull took immediate advantage with a stroll-over in the right corner from centre Carlos Tuimavave after stretching the Dragons’ defense, Jack Charles kicking the touchline conversion to level the scores.
The scores were more than settled moments later when Hull prop Ligi Sao was red-carded for high contact with Tomkins.
Another late hit on the returning full-back resulted in a penalty converted by Mourgue in the 19th minute to push Catalans ahead.
And of course, it was Tomkins who scored next with an outrageous short-range dummy and dash over the line.
Full-back Jack Walker was next to hit Tomkins high as the game’s intensity increased, with home supporters howling their disapproval.
An eventful first half ended 14-6 with both coaches on the sidelines trying to get a grip of things, Hull boss Simon Grix seen in animated discussion with referee Liam Rush in the players’ tunnel.
The second half began with mistakes from both sides but Hull was first to score when Walker picked up a deflected pass from Denive Balmforth to go over in the 45th minute, converted by Charles to make it 14-12.
But the Dragons hit right back when prop Julian Bousquet came from the bench to offload to captain Ben Garcia who grounded beneath the posts, Mourgue converting for 20-12.
The killer blow was struck 10 minutes from time when Catalans winger Tom Davies made a 20-metre burst to score in the right corner, Mourgue off-target with the kick.
Hull had last-gasp hopes when Lewis Martin climbed to collect and score with four minutes left but Charles missed the conversion.
