Salford were back in action at the AJ Bell stadium with Catalan Dragons the visitors.
Gareth O Briens kick off didn't go the ten meters so the Dragons were awarded an early penalty. The pressure was built and Salford were forced to drop out. Poor defending and a lovely cut out pass from Todd Carney found Tony Giggot who forced his way over. Pat Richards missed the kick and it was 0-4 Catalan.
The opening stages were tight as both teams traded sets. Good quick hands from Craig Kopzack saw Tommy Lee just held short of the line. Michael Dobson put a nice kick through forcing the Dragons to drop out. Excellent work from Gaz O Brien put Josh Griffen over out wide Gaz O Briens kick missed the conversion and the scores were level.
The Dragons were gaining in confidence and looking the better side. Remi Casty was unlucky not to score as he lost the ball over the line. A high shot from Logan Tomkins on Remi Casty resulted in a penalty and with good field position and poor defence at marker allowed Eloi Pelissier a way over for a real soft try. Pat Richards converted for Catalan lead 4-10.
Catalan then added a penalty goal to edge them further ahead 4-12. Salford were getting back in the contest. A Catalan knock on allowed Salford to hack the ball forward with quick thinking from Michael Dobson on the free play sent Greg Johnson away. After a bit of pressure Salford are unlucky not to make more of the opportunity in the end.
As the hooter sounded Salford trailed 4-12 at half time and the fans were hoping for better in the 2nd half. It was a slow start to the second half from Salford who were really struggling at half back without the injured Robert Lui and also losing make shift stand off Tommy Lee to injury.
Gareth O Brien knocked on from a high kick and Catalan started to apply real pressure on the Salford defence, a great team effort sent David Taylor in to touch when he looked certain to score. Salford got some good field position and Josh Jones failed to capitalise spilling the ball close to the line as Salford looked to be getting on top.
Unfortunatley the game turned Catalans way when Justin Carney and Gareth O Brien fail to deal with another high kick allowing David Taylor to score for Catalan. Pat Richards converted to extend their lead to 4-18.
Salford struck back when Catalan Fullback Tony Giggot knocked on. Quick thinking from Logan Tomkins sent speedy Greg Johnson over in the corner to score with a measured kick. Gaz O Brien misses the goal and Salford trailed 8-18. Salford were starting to find their feet in the game, they built some pressure and after back to back penalties allowed a sweeping team move to sent Greg Johnson over again.
Gaz O Brien failed to convert again from outwide but Salford were in the hunt for the points despite trailing 12-18. Unfortunately from kick off Junior Sau came up with a knock on and after some ill discipline Pat Richards wisely kicked a penalty goal for the Catalan Dragons and they extended their lead to 12-20.
Salfords forwards had been mauled all afternoon by the Catalan Dragons pack and on a day with perfect conditions had come up with far to many individual errors. Another mistake by Salford while they were passing the ball wide allowed David Taylor to races in for a easy try. Pat Richards again converted and the final hooter sounded and Salfords Good Friday ended in 12-26 defeat
#"We made a lot of fundamental errors. if you don't complete with the ball you don't score"
"We have picked up a couple of injuries they will be assessed tonight. Greg Johnson and Tommy Lee have both knocked their knees"
"Our organisation wasn't great today, we were doing it well earlier in the season and we didn't do that today"
"We conceded a few soft tries now and that shouldn't be happening its a concentration thing"
It's a short turn around for Ian Watson and Tim sheens as Salford are back in action away at Huddersfield Giants in Monday.
Tune into our Easter special podcast on Saturday to see what me, Rob Parkinson and Paul Parkin has to say about this defeat a special interview with Neil Blackburn from the Salford Red Devils Foundation about their big Rugby festival and preview the Huddesfield game on Sunday
No comments:
Post a Comment