Salford travelled to Perpignan to face Catalan and points were on the menu after last seasons 40-40 draw. Salford hit the ground running scoring on their first set of six after Michael Dobsons high kick was pouched by Josh Griffin and he fed Niall Evalds who finished well in the corner. Gareth o Brien missed the goal 0-4.
On the next set Josh Jones comes up with a knock on as salford try to work the ball out of there own half. The enterprising Dragons seize the oppertunity and score in the corner through ex Salford favourite Jodie Broughton. Pat Richards misses the conversion 4-4. from the kick off salford kick out on the full and catalan have a penalty on the half way line. the dragons ill discipline starts to let them down and Salford start to build pressure.
Quick hands from Junior Sau and o Brien sends Justin Carney over. Michael Dobson hits the post from the kick so salford lead 4-8. The Red Devils move up a gear and the Dragons are forced to drop out. a dangerous tackle from glenn stewart on Logan Tomkins and Salford kick the penalty from oBriens boot 4-10.
With 20 minutes on the clock Krisnan Inu busts salford down the middle, Morgan Escare in support races to the line. Richards adds the conversion and its all square 10-10. salford though are not disheartened and soon have the dragons back peddling. Lovely foot work from Craig Kopzack finds Robert Lui whos smart off load sends Junior Sau in for another salford try. Dobson drags the kick wide and its 10-14.
Then comes a cruical point in the match Salford attacking the dragons line 10 yards out Dobsons pass dosent make it to Evalds who was certain to score instead it finds Jodie Broughton who intercepts and hares away down the pitch. Junior Sau incredibly tracks back but from the next play the Dragons move the ball across the pitch and Vincent Duport goes in to level the scores again. Pat Richards kicks the goal off the touch line 16-14. thats how its stays till the break.
Catalan kick off the second half trying to catch the red devils out, Junior Sau out jumps the catalan player and seems to be in the clear but he loses the ball. From the next play Ritche Myler goes over only to see his try ruled out by the video referee after Justin Carney was obstructed.
Salford keep battling and force a drop out. Josh Wood scoots from dummy half finding Robert Lui and its lovely quick hands to Niall Evalds then o Brien sends Junior Sau over for a marvellous salford try! michael dobson again cant convert but salford lead 16-20.
Robert lui knocks on from the kick off and the Dragons are on the hunt for more points. Catalan breach the salford line from the scrum as Myler goes over . Richards kicks the goal to edge the dragons ahead 22-20.
The next set the Dragons hit salford again as Todd Carney sends flying winger Jodie Broughton over again in the corner. Richards cant convert and its 26-20.
Salford are on the ropes and big David Taylor goes trundling through with Richie Myler backing up to score under the sticks. richards adds the goal 32-20.
Weller Hauraki is pulled for a forward pass, Robert Lui disagrees and is penalised for back chatting! with 60 minutes on the clock Pat Richards wisely kicks the two points 34-20. salford refuse to give in and begin to fight back galliantly.
A sweeping Salford move across the pitch sees Junior Sau go over for a well deserved hat trick try. Michael Dobson kicks the goal 34-26. Justin Carney and David Taylor have a few words and Salford some how get the penalty much to the disgust of the partisan Dragons crowd. Hauraki finds Evalds with a fine pass and he finishs well. Gareth o Brien kicks off the touch line and salford are two points behind 34-32 with 12 minutes to play.
Both teams nervously exchange sets. Salford crack as Justin Carney knocks on. Catalan are on the attack and score through Pat Richards to finally break a dogged salford side who just wouldnt go away. Thomas Bosc slots the goal over 40-32. the dragons force the drop out and salford fail to kick it ten meters! with 2 minutes remaining Pat Richards kicks the penalty to put the game to bed 42-32.
Amassive effort from Salford today scoring some fantastic tries. a few individual errors and poor defending let us down! Catalan however are a very good side so it was no disgrace and The Red Devils can take a lot of heart from this game into next saturdays crucial home game against Hull KR!.
No comments:
Post a Comment