NEIL Jukes’ Dragons slayers delivered the perfect response to the previous week’s home defeat to Hull KR with a first ever win over their Perpignan hosts.

Winger Adam Higson and second row Cory Paterson touched down for doubles to leave Cats chief Steve McNamara hot under the collar.

An 11-try Widnes win over Featherstone 24 hours later dropped Centurions into a Million Pounds game position on points difference before a mini break for this weekend’s Challenge Cup final.

But after making the French connection at the third time of asking, Jukes is satisfied by his side’s solid start to their Middle 8’s campaign.

“It was a difficult week after the loss the previous weekend,” admitted the Leigh boss.

“The boys were a bit down so it was important we got them back up and ready for another fight.

“We were outstanding and on another day could have posted another 16 or 18 points.”

Leigh finished with five tries plus five goals from recalled half back, Ben Reynolds.

They also had another four disallowed as the Dragons slumped to a second Middle 8’s defeat, still waiting for a transformation in form under ex England boss, Steve McNamara.

One of only two Dragons’ successes under McNamara came against Leigh last month.

So, this was sweet revenge for that 40-36 loss by the Leythers who started and finished on top.

Higson touched down for the first of his brace after four minutes when Lewis Tierney was caught out by a wicked bounce in the in goal area and Samisoni Langi palmed the ball back for his team mate to score.

A sweeping handling move saw Higson dive over for his second try after 20 minutes with ex Dragon, Glenn Stewart, and Matty Dawson denied further scores by the video referee.

Leigh led 10-0 at the break and quickly took control on the resumption.

With on loan Wigan star Tierney again out jumped, Langi directed the ball into Paterson’s grasp for a volleyball style lay-up.

Reynolds goaled and then kicked a penalty after 57 minutes to make it 18-0.

Daniel Mortimer was chosen as starting hooker leaving Reynolds to resume his partnership with Josh Drinkwater.

And it was Mortimer’s grubber kick that bounced off the protective post padding and into Drinkwater’s path for the clinching score at the start of the fourth quarter.

Dragons pulled back six points with a Brayden Wiliame try and Krisnan Inu conversion after 70 minutes.

But Paterson had the last word with a 90 metres interception effort goaled from the touchline by Reynolds.

Match stats:

Catalans:

Tierney; Duport, Inu, Wiliame, Yaha; Walsh, Myler; Moa, Aiton, Casty, Anderson, Horo, Bird; substitutes: Bousquet, Garcia, Baitieri, Margalet.

Tries: Wiliame (70)

Goals: Inu (1)

Leigh:

McNally; Dawson, Brown, Langi, Higson; Reynolds, Drinkwater; Hansen, Mortimer, Maria, Paterson, Vea, Burr; substitutes: Higham, Stewart, Hopkins, Richards.

Tries: Higson (4, 20), Paterson (48, 77), Drinkwater (61)

Goals: Reynolds (5)

Half-time: 0-10

Referee: Phil Bentham

Attendance: 6,632