T : Micky McIlorum, David Mead 2, Samisoni Langi, Sam Kasiano
G : Tony Gigot 6
DG : Tony Gigot
Wigan Warriors (6) 16
T : Liam Marshall, Oliver Gildart, Zak Hardaker
G : Zak Hardaker 2
DG :
Pre match
Before I get into the game itself I wanted to cover some of the build up and pre-match promotion and marketing of our trip to the South of the region.
It has been an exciting few months since the announcement that the Dragons would be taking a match on the road to Barcelona. The club has been building it up nicely with lots of social media and dedicated merchandise range.
Of course there remains people who are critical of both the concept and how well the sport has got behind the match, but that's social media for you.
Both clubs pushed the game hard and when the official FC Barcelona socials start promoting a rugby game you know something has gone well.
I saw Tweets during the match comparing the crowd of over 30,000 with a sell out rugby union crowd a few years back. My feeling is that the international and European club game in the other sport is better developed as are their abilities to promote an occasion rather than the sport.
Rugby League relies on what happens on the park first and what happens in fan parks second. And do you know what? I am comfortable with that.
Match
The first half was not surprisingly forgettable with little running rugby as both teams seemed to take time to get a handle on their surroundings.
Greg Bird, who missed the Challenge Cup final along with much of this season, didn't last long into the game before a bad injury. That he was helping direct the team towards the end of the match with his subs bib being used as a sling tells you what you need to know about the guy. Legend.
With no Little Sam or Matty Smith, the emphasis for creativity fell to Tony Gigot who had a tough first half and Big Sam who grew into the game.
There was lots of huffing and puffing but not too many points to show for the endeavour by the half way mark.
Thankfully the second half was much better.
After a let off when a Wigan try was chalked off for a foot in touch. The Dragons cut loose. David Mead (2), Middle Sam Langi and Big Sam blew Wigan away with a flurry of tries that started from short range using forward power before being run in from long range.
This was what the crowd had come to see. Dragons flinging the ball about with disregard and looking dangerous from all areas of the park.
Wigan weren't as bad as their coach seemed to indicate. They were just outplayed for that third 20 minute period and there were not too many teams who would have lived with us during that spell.
A late double for the visitors including a lovely kick and chase from Zak Hardaker made the score a bit closer. In the context of the 80 minutes I think it was a fair reflection.
What now?
The important thing now is that the game in Catalunya continues to build from this. I am not suggesting we go back every season, but maybe a game in Girona where there is similar airport access to Perpignan or Carcassonne?
The question now is whether the attendance yesterday will beat that at Anfield for Magic ?
A happy coach
