Leeds Rhinos recorded an incredible Golden Point win over Catalans Dragons in Perpignan as they fought back from 30-6 down with 25 minutes to go and a man down to secure a 36-32 victory.

Few in the partisan Perpignan crowd would have given Rohan Smith’s side a chance when Matt Prior was sent off just 15 minutes into the second half. The Rhinos had trailed 16-0 just before half time before Liam Sutcliffe crossed for a try on the hooter and then had Matt Prior sin binned in the first minute of the second half for an off the ball incident.

Prior seemed to be harshly judged, he had knocked the ball on and was then driven back 15 metres into his own in goal by Chan but referee Chris Kendall and his touch judge conferred and Prior was shown the yellow card for a push. Whilst the Australian prop was off the field, Leeds conceded two more tries through Sam Kasiano and Samisoni Langi with a penalty and two conversions from Sam Tomkins to give Steve McNamara’s side a 30-6 lead.  Soon after Prior returned he was shown a red card for a challenge deemed to be high.

With nothing to lose, Leeds then fell into their rhythm. Cameron Smith broke clear from the defence before stepping Tomkins and offloading to Richie Myler to score between the posts.

Almost immediately, Myler was in for a second try when Aidan Sezer, on his return to the side after injury, chipped over the defence and the former Dragon reached back to collect the bouncing ball behind him and ahead of Michael McIlorum to touch down. Rhyse Martin converted both tries to cut the gap to 30-18 on the hour.

Catalans had controlled the majority of possession and territory in the first half and led after eight minutes when Fouad Yaha cut in from the wing to score. Tomkins was unable to add the conversion but then added a penalty when Leeds were caught offside from a spilled kick. The home side extended their lead when Benjamin Jullien took advantage of the position created from a penalty in midfield and found a gap to go through to score. Tomkins was on target this time with his conversion attempt.

Yaha then crossed for his second try of the game with a large slice of good fortune. Drinkwater drilled a low kick to the in goal and it rebounded off Myler up into the air and into the arms of the winger to score. Tomkins was unable to convert the try.

With time running out in the half, Leeds showed their intent for what was to come with a ‘never say die’ attitude bringing its reward. With just 20 seconds to go in the half, Rhyse Martin put Liam Sutcliffe in space and he reached round to catch the ball behind his back before spinning it round to score. Martin added the conversion and the Rhinos had cut the gap to 16-6 at the break.

Catalans must have thought they had put the game to bed when they pulled further clear at the start of the second half and, even after Myler’s two tries, they managed to edge themselves three scores in front when Tomkins was given a simple kick at goal from a penalty when Leeds were penalised for stripping the ball from Gil Dudson when the prop momentarily lost the ball in contact.

However, the Rhinos never gave up and responded with a fourth try with nine minutes to go. The visitors were offloading at will and James Bentley broke through with the Catalans defender desperately trying to haul him down by his shorts but with his shorts around his ankles, Bentley offloaded to Myler to complete his hat trick. Martin was on target again and the Rhinos trailed 32-24.

Leeds had an immediate chance when Sezer broke clear on half way and fed Handley for a simple run in only to see play called back for an obstruction in the build up. Catalans then looked to hit the decisive blow only for Bentley to come up with a superb interception and then gain a penalty when he was tackled high.

The Rhinos made the territory count and came up with a crucial score when Dwyer, with the attacked line up left, went on his own to the right, kicked ahead and won the race to touch the ball down. Martin’s conversion made it 32-30 with four minutes to go.

As the clock ticked down it looked like Catalans would see out the result but a long kick from Leeds was collected by Tomkins, who inexplicably lost his grip on the ball near his line. Sezer picked up and looked certain to score but for a hefty challenge. Play was waved on and the Dragons were then penalised for laying on, with Fouad Yaha shown a yellow card for deliberate foul play. The penalty was never in doubt from Martin who slotted over the kick to level the game and send the match into golden point.

Leeds kicked off the sudden death period giving Catalans first use of the ball but they came up with an error. From the scrum, the Rhinos kept the ball tight before giving Sezer a shot at goal but his effort went wide to the right. Catalans then moved down field but pressure from Leeds forced an error and the visitors got possession ten metres from their own line.

Good runs from Bentley and Mikolaj Oledzki moved their team up field and as Catalans set their sights on charging down an further attempt for a drop goal, they allowed space on the inside for Sezer to run and he stepped inside the attempted tackle by Arthur Mourgue and raced through to score and send his team and the travelling fans into scenes of delight.