LEIGH Leopards coach Adrian Lam said he was proud of his side's efforts in the wake of the club winning the Challenge Cup for the first time since 1971.
Catalans defeated the newly-crowned Challenge Cup winners Leigh Leopards 30-14 at the LSV.
The win sees Catalans reopen a four-point lead at the top of Super League while Leigh remain in the hunt for a top-four finish, six points clear of fifth-placed Warrington.
Lam said: "I don't want to make excuses. I thought Catalans scrambled really well but we were a little bit sloppy in areas we haven't been previously this season.
"I am proud of the boys, especially with the way they hung in there. We will enjoy a rest after an emotional rollercoaster that we had last week.
"There are five games to go and the end of the season will come around quickly. It's important we hang in there and we will try and get through it."
Dragons coach Steve McNamara said: "We knew it was a dangerous game today after Leigh won the Challenge Cup a week ago.
"We were patient, strong and composed - this is a big, big win for us. Leigh have been very tough to play - six years ago we were playing them in the Million Pound Game. Suddenly we find ourselves battling it out at the top of Super League."
Catalans stopped Leigh scoring in the second half after they trailed 14-12 at the break. Tries from Ben Davies, Tyrone May and Manu Ma'u sealed victory as the Leopards faded.
However, Catalans had two players sinbinned in the first half - Mike McMeeken and Micky McIlorum - and Leigh did not need a second invitation to take advantage, scoring tries through Tom Amone and Ben Nakubuwai.
The Dragons had first-half try scorers in Mitchell Pearce and Paul Seguier while Adam Keighran kicked five goals from as many attempts.
"Things have been going our way in recent weeks and suddenly they weren't," admitted McNamara. "I thought we were strong in the second half and showed patience.
"There were calls where we were getting frustrated and you're not going to win big games when you get yellow cards. There were some tough calls and we were getting distracted."
Asked about Catalans' chances of finishing top of the league, McNamara said: "Being league leaders doesn't mean you're going to win the league.
"However, we have been consistent for a number of years and it's still hard for people to understand the extra demands on being the travelling team."
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