You could almost hear a pin drop as the 19-year-old Saints' centre roared in and scrum half Sean Long landed his fourth goal from six attempts.

It also completed a dream return to his old stomping ground for ex-Dragons' coach Mick Potter and was the engage Super League leaders' first triumph in the south of France since a 34-20 victory in the initial fixture between the two clubs in March 2006.

Potter, who was given a rousing reception by the French fans, said: "It was a fantastic match and something of an arm wrestle in the second half."

He added: "Any team coming here will find it difficult to collect both points but we toughed it out in warm conditions and every one of my players deserved a pat on the back."

A happy 'homecoming' didn't appear likely for Potter as the fiery Dragons established a thoroughly deserved and commanding 22-10 half-time lead but then Saints justified their title of the Rugby League comeback kings by picking up two precious points which keeps them at the summit of the table, one points ahead of Hull KR and two in front of defending champions Leeds Rhinos.

Seeking instant revenge for their 42-8 Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth round mauling at the GPW Recruitment Stadium six days earlier, the French outfit were given a flying start when Adam Mogg's astute chip kick led to Steve Bell crossing the whitewash and Thomas Bosc adding a far from easy conversion.

Saints replied with a 15th minute try of their own - Matt Gidley's flick pass carving out an opening for Ade Gardner to storm over, only for Bosc to extend the homesters lead with a 22nd minute try and goal.

Again the visitors hit back through full back Paul Wellens who dummied his way over and Long landed his first goal. The see-saw nature of the game continued and in the 33rd minutes a great Catalans' break ended with Dimitri Pelo sending Bosc in for his second try.

Bosc missed the goal but was bang on target two minutes from the interval, adding the extra to Bell's second try which gave the hosts a 12-point advantage. It didn't last too long as Saints hit a purple path, scoring three tries between the 41st and 55th minutes.

Gardner started the scoring spree after Clint Greenshields had spilled possession following a bone-crunching Long challenge; Francis Meli battled his way to the line from Wheeler's slick pass and romped in; and then Leon Pryce edged Saints in front for the first time by weaving his way over.

Long took his goal tally to three from five attempts to give Saints 26-22 lead but the French side regained the initiative via a 72nd minute Mogg try which Bosc converted and with the sands of time running out looked on course for only their fifth win in 13 league games. But up popped Wheeler with a glittering try, which Long goaled, to break French hearts.


Teams - Catalans Dragons: Greenshields, Duport, Bell, Bailie, Pelo, Mogg, Bosc, Carlaw, McGuire, Guisset, Fakir, Touxagas, Bird. Subs: Ferriol. Mounis, Bentley, Casey.
Saints: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Wheeler, Meli, Pryce, Long, Graham, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Gilmour, Flannery, Puletua. Subs: Roby, Clough, Fa'asavalu, Ashurst.
Referee: Phil Bentham.
Attendance: 9,065.