Salford Red Devils took one huge step towards playoff rugby with a 11th home victory of the Betfred Super League season.
They broke the record against Huddersfield Giants a fortnight ago, but Paul Rowley’s side added another to the tally against Catalans Dragons this evening.
In what seemed such an emphatic two points, it was the visitors who actually held onto the ball for the first six minutes of the contest.
The Reds were resolute in their defensive efforts. Marc Sneyd and then Tim Lafai with two incredible try-savers, but the pressure eventually told with Salford caught offside – Arthur Mourgue knocking over a penalty-goal.
Seeing off Catalans’ next foray forward, Salford got hold of the ball for the first time in the contest and took advantage of a mix-up.
Sneyd was the one to create the chaos, Joe Mellor picked up the pieces and a combination of Ryan Brierley and Jayden Nikorima sent the former under the sticks.
It was a game full of physicality and Salford had to stand up to a strong Catalans pack. Nene Macdonald and Tim Lafai were the ones taking us downfield.
Kallum Watkins stabbed a grubber that Mourgue dealt with well – leading to points down the other end.
From virtually on their own line, Cesar Rouge made the break and after a series of offloads, the fullback who started the move finished it on the right edge.
Mourgue’s missed conversion kept it level and the next 15 minutes was a real arm wrestle for territory and possession.
It was Salford who were next on the board, at a crucial time. Ryan Brierley took a lovely carry to get us within range and trademark Joe Mellor deceived everyone to scurry under the sticks.
A six-point lead at half-time kept tensions high, but as we’ve been accustomed to this season, Sneyd eased pressure by absolutely nailing a 40-20.
Just a few plays later, Tim Lafai was over on the left edge after some quick Salford hands – liftoff for Rowley’s Reds.
Sneyd extended the advantage from the tee and they were soon over again after a neat scrum play. Working it left, Lafai sent an incredible pass out the back for Deon Cross to go charging over.
The conversion handed Salford a 20-point, which was dented by Bayley Sironen’s try, but Sneyd soon knocked over a one-pointer to confirm a huge two points.
Next up is a trip to Hull FC, with a place in the playoffs within touching distance.
MATCH FACTS:
Salford line-up: Ryan Brierley, Ethan Ryan, Nene Macdonald, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross, Jayden Nikorima, Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton, Joe Mellor, Gil Dudson, Sam Stone, Kallum Watkins, Oliver Partington.
Interchanges: Shane Wright, Joe Shorrocks, Chris Hankinson, Joe Bullock.
Tries: Jayden Nikorima, Joe Mellor, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross.
Conversions: Marc Sneyd (/)
Catalans Dragons line-up: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Reimis Smith, Matthieu Laguerre, Fouad Yaha, Cesar Rouge, Theo Fages, Romain Navarrete, Alriz Da Cost, Julian Bousquet, Mike McMeeken, Bayley Sironen, Ben Garcia.
Interchanges: Tariq Sims, Jordan Dezaria, Sam Tomkins, Jarrod Wallace.
Tries: Arthur Mourgue, Bayley Sironen.
Conversions: Arthur Mourgue
HT: 12-6
Photo credit: Steve McCormick & James Giblin
