Drama in the French Derby as Makinson Shines

Former St Helens star Tommy Makinson was the hero for Catalans Dragons as they edged out Toulouse Olympique in a thrilling all-French showdown. The winger crossed the line twice to help his team snatch an 18-16 victory in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

First-Half Fireworks and a Tight Battle

The game started at a fast pace, with both sides trading blows early on. Toulouse pushed hard, but Catalans held firm thanks to strong defense and quick thinking. Makinson’s first try came from a slick passing move that sliced through the home side’s line.

• Toulouse hit back with a try of their own, keeping the score close.
• Catalans responded with another score to take a narrow lead into halftime.

Second-Half Drama and Makinson’s Decisive Strike

Toulouse refused to back down in the second half. They leveled the scores with a well-worked try and a conversion, silencing the visiting fans for a moment. But Makinson had other plans. With time running out, he latched onto a clever kick to dot down for his second try, putting Catalans ahead once more.

Toulouse had a chance to snatch victory in the final minutes, but a desperate Catalans tackle forced a knock-on, sealing the win for the Dragons.

A Nail-Biting Finish Secures the Points

The final score of 18-16 shows just how close this French derby was. Both teams gave everything, and it could have gone either way. But in the end, Makinson’s double proved the difference, sending Catalans fans home happy and leaving Toulouse to wonder what might have been.