Salford V Catalan Match report
After brutal, bruising, up and down season Salford returned to play their final regular season match at home to high flying Catalans Dragons.
Red Devils coach Paul Rowley made changes with Amir Bourouh coming in at hooker to replace Andy Ackers. Brad Singleton was back in the starting line up after suspension. Adam Sidlow made the bench in place of King Vuniyayawa who was serving the first match of his two game suspension.
After last weeks dismantling of Leeds the Dragons arrived full of confidence and were still in with a chance of finishing top of the table and claiming the League Leaders shield. Veteran Sam Tomkins started at fullback with Mitchell Pearce and Tyrone May in the halves. English duo Mike McMeeken and Matt Whitley were in the back row and the ever reliable Ben Garcia was at loose forward.
The weather was much cooler than earlier in the month and persistent rain made the pitch quite greasy at kick off.
Both sides made a cagey start but the Dragons made their when Whitley shot through a gap to score a well worked try. Tomkins converted, 0-6.
Flying winger Tom Johnstone came close to a try but just couldn’t take the final pass.
Salford struggled to build any real pressure and the home side didn’t really have any clear cut chances. Conceding penalties has become a regular achilles heal for the Red Devils and once again they racked up in the first half from referee Jack Smith.
Tomkins extended the lead to 0-8 with a penalty goal before a scrap with Salford hooker Bourouh which resulted in the pair being sent to the sin bin. The home side got the penalty and Marc Sneyd converted the goal 2-8. That’s how the score stayed as the hooter sounded for half time.
Salford seemed to raise the intensity levels at the start of the second half. This took the Dragons by surprise and looked firmly on the back foot. The Red Devils were desperately seeking a try and their efforts were rewarded when pack grafter Ben Hellewell raced over. Sneyd converted to level the score at 8-8 and the Dragons were on the ropes.
The huge Dragons pack took up the gauntlet and charged back at their hosts. Salford defended desperately, scrambling superbly at times as the game lay in the balance.
Pearce shaped to drop a goal and this opened up the opportunity for Tomkins and he slotted over a one pointer to edge his side in front 8-9.
Catalans power in the pack was beginning to wear Salford down. A big drive forward from McMeeken then his off load put Julian Bousquet in for a try. Minutes later Salford’s tired defence struggled to stop the Dragons offload and the elusive Tomkins scored his sides third try to clinch a solid, hard fought victory.
In many ways it was a bridge to far for Salford who gave everything in a very tough season of ups and downs. At times this season they’ve lacked composure and that was a factor again in this game. Rowley’s side like to play what they see and perhaps this isn’t always the best option. It’s been a long season and Salford’s poor form and losing run in the middle of the campaign has ultimately cost them a playoff spot.
I think the supporters can be proud of their sides efforts this season as they’ve just come up short.
2024 promises to be another thrilling season and a lot will happen between now and then with players coming and going.
Take care in the off season and I’ll see you next season to do it all again.
Salford 8 Catalans 19.
Paul Whiteside.
Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.
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