Catalan v Salford Match Report

Catalans Dragons continued there march to Super League safety and the Super Eights with a comfortable victory over struggling Salford.

Fouad Yaha scores the games opening try after a thrilling Dragon’s break.

Josh Drinkwater extended the hosts lead with a penalty goal.

Some neat off loads and support play then bust Salford down the middle, Drinkwater was backing up to score. His conversion made it 12-0.

A mistake from the kick off gifted Salford possession and they moved the  ball well. Derrell Olpherts scoring in the corner, Ed Chamberlain’s goal attempt was off target 12-4.

From the kick off Catalans put the ball out on the full to hand Salford a penalty in a good attacking position. Tyrone McCarthy’s knock on let the Dragons off the hook.

For the remainder of the first half the home side really upped the ante. Four consecutive goal line drop outs were forced. Salford’s defence stood firm but on the fourth set Jason Baitieri some how got the ball down to score.

Moments later The Dragons were in again, this time Drinkwater’s high kick caught Jake Bibby out. Kenny Edwards took advantage to score. 

Drinkwater’s kicking game was outstanding, the Australian has made a huge impact since moving to the South of France. It was yet another kick this time Olpherts couldn’t take it and the ball went from one side of the pitch to the other before Yaha squeezed in at the corner.

Leading 28-4 at half time Catalans put the game to bed in the early stages of the second half. A lovely tip on pass from Brayden Williame provided a hat trick for Yaha. Shortly after Yaha grabbed his fourth try, Drinkwater kicked off the touch line 38-4.

On a brighter note for coach Ian Watson and Salford was the return of Niall Evalds who came off the bench and looked sharp with some nice touches. Evalds will be a key man for the Red Devils in the middle eights. 

The hard working Josh Wood was rewarded with a try for Salford which Chamberlain converted 38-10

Catalans had the final say as kenny Edwards went over for second try on the back of yet another drop out. 

Josh Drinkwater could prove to be one of the signings of the season as the Dragons face St Helens in a Challenge cup semi final and will now prepare for an assault on the top eight. 

Salford’s final regular season game is at home to Leeds next Friday before the Middle Eights and a tough battle for top flight survival.

Final score Catalans 44 Salford 10

Paul Whiteside.

Pictures by Steve McCormick 

Super league review Bank Holiday Monday

Bank Holiday Monday was another great day of rugby in Super league read all about it here

 

Leigh 10 Hull FC 24

Hull got back to Winning ways with a big win against Leigh.

Leading 18-0 at half time with Tries from Liam Watts and Albert Kelly they were in total control.

Leigh battled back in the 2nd half with a try from ex Red Liam Hood but Hull had enough to secure the win to gain some confidence for the weeks to come.

 

Leeds 42 Widnes 22

Leeds survived a spirited performance by Widnes to keep in touching distance of the top of Super league.

It was another top performance by ex Red Joel Moon which was the highlight for Leeds in the 1st half with 2 tries to help them build a 30-6 lead.

Widnes fought hard throughout the game and battled back into contention with tries from Tom Gilmore but Leeds yet again found another gear with a try from Kalum Watkins sealing the win for them.

 

Catalan Dragons 38 Salford 6

Salfords 5 game unbeaten run came to an end in a hot day in France.

Catalan are a strong side at home and found some rhythm in the 1st half with Tries from Vincent Duport scoring twice.

Justin Carney scored a length of the field try to give Salford some hope but that was extinguished when Ex Red Richie Myler scored and Vincent Duport scored his hatrick try.

 

Warrington 26 Huddersfield 24

Warrington secured their 3rd win on the trot with a hard fought victory against Huddersfield.

Wire lead 16-12 at half time with tries from Darl Clark and Kirt Gidley.

Danny Brough was Huddersfields main threat scoring a try and kicking a penalty goal to push the Giants into a 20-16 lead.

Two late Warrington Tries swung the game their way, despite more heroics from Brough at the end his conversation attempt sailed wide and the points were Warringtons.

 

Wakefield 10 Wigan 16

Wigan edged out Wakefield in a scrappy affair at Belle View on Bank Holiday Monday.

Sean O'loughlin scored for Wigan but Ex Red Ben Jones Bishop put Wakefield back in contention.

Both sides could have won the game in the latter stages but a  Liam Marshall effort was the match winner for the Warriors.

 

St Helens 26 Castleford 22

League leaders Castleford Tigers suffered defeat against St Helens.  

Two tries from Regan Grace help build a lead for Saints in the 1st period of the game 20-8 but Castleford fought back.

Castleford with two tries from Ex Red Greg Eden and Ben Roberts were hopeful they could stage a remarkable 2nd half fight back but Saints just about squeezed over the line to secure the win.

Your listening to this weeks Devil in the Detail podcast all your Salford Red Devil's Rugby chat and news with interviews this week with Michael Dobson and Lami Tasi.

Catalan Dragons v Salford Match report

 

After a tough Good Friday match against Leigh, Salford rounded off the Easter programme against Catalan Dragons in Perpignan. It had been a beautiful day and was still very warm at pitch side at kick off. 

The first half was a scrappy affair with a lot of stoppages and Salford struggled to find any sort of fluentcy! Salford lost Junior Sa'u and Logan Tomkins which was a bitter blow with Ian Watson having to shuffle the team round.

 The first points of the match came when a Salford mistake in centre field gave the Dragons  possession. Good ball movement saw Vincent Duport score out wide. Luke Walsh added the conversion 6-0 after 12 minutes. 

 

Catalan were strong in defence Josh Jones was clattered in a real solid tackle that could of been deemed a spear tackle. Luke Walsh was orchestrating the play for the home side and when his neat kick through hit the cross bar it was a real let off for the Red Devil's! Salfords best chance of the first half falls to Justin Carney but he just runs out of space. 

Vincent Duport gets over the line again and Salford look like they have forced the error when the video referee is called into action. The try is given and with Walsh's conversion it's 12-0.

A string of penalties for the Dragons and Salford start to feel the pressure. It feels like a let off when Walsh takes the two points from close range. The dragons lead 14-0 against a tired looking Salford side now low on numbers. 

Todd Carney adds to salfords woes with a knock on from the second half kick off. The Reds escape unscathed with some good defence. 

Desperate for a score Salford start to push forward. Todd Carney throws a looping pass but Greg Johnson can't take it in. The Dragons take full advantage making Salford pay the price when ex red Richie myler's pin point kick finds Inu who scores. The Walsh goal makes it 20-0.

 

Salfords huge traveling army of fans finally get something to shout about when Justin Carney pockets a dragons kick on his own line and races the full length of the field to score. Gareth o Brien adds the goal 20-6.

The game though is then put beyond The Reds when Walsh puts a kick through that should be mopped up by Salford. O Brien misjudges the bounce and the ball going straight into the arms of Myler who races over. Walsh goal 26-6. 

The Red Devil's bad luck continues as Dobson and Lui make a great break! Unbelievably Tony Giggot intercepts and races away to add to the misery! Walsh fails with the kick 30-6. 

 

There is a wonderful partisan atmosphere in the ground with a crowd of almost 11000 witnessing Catalans best performance of the season. The excellent busy half back Walsh adds two drop goals for the Dragons to extend their lead to 32-6 before Bosc super kick to the wing finds Duport who grabs his hat trick try! Giggot kicks off the touch line 38-6.

The Salford players look shattered at full time with the Easter fixtures really taking its toll. Speaking to Ian Watson after the match he was disappointed with the result but was very pleased with the effort and courage of his players. He will no doubt be looking for a reaction from his players next Sunday for the big cup match against Toronto! Junior Sau could possibly have a groin problem and will be assessed in the next few days! 

Final score In Perpignan, Catalan 38 Salford 6.

Report by Paul Whiteside

Pictures by Steve McCormick 

 

Your listening to the latest Devil in the Detail Podcast all your Salford Red Devil's chat. This week we are joined by Michael Dobson, Lami Tasi and Ian Watson and lots more news coming out the club. 

Catalan v Salford big match preview

 

Salford travel to France this Bank Holiday full of confidence after a great win against Leigh, Check out Dan Robinson's latest blog here looking forward to the game.

Form

 

Stats

 

 Head to Head 

 

There will be battles all over the field on Monday tea time. Take a look below at the battles to look out for

 

Moa v Tasi

Both props have some power behind them especially Tasi who is known for his powerful runs and dominance in defence just ask Harrison Hansen who was on the wrong side of one of the 'bondi bombers' monster tackles on Friday. Like Tasi, Moa is a very storming carrier of the ball and can help get The Dragons on the front foot. Both having experience in the NRL playing for Sydney Roosters both are certain to be key players in the game on Monday

 

Walsh v Carney

The departure of Luke Walsh from saints to Catalans was in my opinion a very big shock as Walsh is a brilliant rugby league player. The halfbacks kicking game is second to non and he really does get the players around him working very hard. If the Reds are to get the win I feel they will need to keep this man very quiet. Having been rested for the Leigh game Carney will look for a starting place against his former employers. Like Walsh for Catalans Carney has been a great asset to the Red Devil's in 2017 and adds that extra option in attack. With Rob Lui possibly being rested Carney will surly step up to the plate and show the dragons what they are missing.

 

Casty v Flanagan 

With 2 stints at the Catalans Dragons forward Remi Casty is a vital cog in the Dragons engine. Casty can really boss the dragons around the park and is a true leader for them. With over 180 appearances for the French outfit His experience will undoubtedly help the dragons on the field and the Devils will need to watch out for him come gameday. 

Flanagan for me has been an outstanding signing for Salford as goes under the radar a lot but does a great job in the middle. His versatility at covering a lot of positions can help the Devils if any injuries do occur during the campaign. The tackling machine has made some outstanding performances in 2017 and I see this continuing with Flanagan putting his body on the line until the final whistle of the final game when ever that will be.

Squads

 

 

Ex players return 

 

 

Richie Myler, Jodie Broughton and Luke Burgess all impressed when in a Red shirt, Luke and Jodie  are currently injured but Richie Myler will be looking to impress on Monday 

Your listening to this weeks Devil in the Detail podcast all your Salford Red Devil's chat and news in one place, this week we talk to Michael Dobson and Lami Tasi and Ian Watson joins us in coaches corner.