Salford comfortablyย beat Catalan to make it back-to-back wins. Here’s our verdict…
MATCH DETAILS
Kris Welham’s brace helped Salford Red Devils keep pace with Super League’s top five as they dismantled Catalans Dragons 40-14 to keep the pressure on those above them.
And it was not the only eye-catching scoreline – London Broncos stunned St. Helens 32-12 to move off the foot of the table to the expense of Hull KR.
Salford humiliated their French opponents across the channel in may when the romped to an eight-try-to-nil win and it was more of the same in this one, too.
Josh Johnson and Derrell Olpherts crossed before Welham’s first of the night as the Red Devils took a commanding 16-8 half-time lead, with Sam Kasiano going over for Catalans as the away side struggled to find any kind of attacking rhythm.
Brayden Williame pulled another try back to give the traveling foreigners brief hope, but that was swiftly extinguished as tries from Tui Lolohea and Niall Evalds, Welham’s second and Mark Flanagan secured another dominant victory for the hosts.
The two points gained mean that Salford move within the same gap to fifth-placed Castleford with six games still to play.
Both teams now face a two-week break with neither involved in Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-finals, but once league action resumes, Salford next visit London Broncos on and Catalans host second-placed Warrington Wolves.
FOUR POINTERS
Salford love playing Catalans
If Salford could face the French side every week, they’d love it. Scoring 86 points and conceding just 14 against them this season, the Greater Manchester side have found the knack.
Catalans need to pick it up – fast
Defeat means that the Dragons slip to sixth on points difference to Wigan and Castleford and, with many tricky games left on their calendar, they’ll need to improve if they want to finish high up the table.
Salford are on the charge
Contrastingly, the Devils have found form at a perfect time. Facing an often hapless Broncos next time out and with other fixtures against lower-placed sides to come, they really could mount a charge for the top four, maybe even three.
The league is still wide open
arring St. Helens, every side in Super League has been rather inconsistent with performances. Yes, Warrington have been impressive, but they still find themselves just two points ahead of Hull FC who were battered to nil by Huddersfield Giants not long ago.
Both Salford and Catalans are within short distance of them, so either side could yet spring a surprise.
THE RESULT
Salford (16) 40
Tries:ย Johnson (27), Olpherts (37), Welham (39,72), Lolohea (53), Evalds (64), Flanagan (74)
Goals: Inu 3, Lolohea 3
Drop Goals:ย n/a
Catalans (8) 14
Tries: Kasiano (34), Wiliame (43)
Goals:ย Tomkins (3)
Drop Goals:ย n/a
SQUADS
Salford:
- 1 Niall Evalds
- 2 Derrel Olpherts
- 3 Kris Welham
- 4 Jake Bibby
- 5 Krisnan Inu
- 6 Tuimoala Lolohea
- 7 Jackson Hastings
- 8 Adam Walker
- 9 Logan Tomkins
- 10 Gil Dudson
- 11 Ryan Lannon
- 12 Josh Jones
- 13 Tyrone McCarthy
Interchanges:
- 14 Greg Burke
- 15 Joshua Johnson
- 16 Joey Lussick
- 17 Mark Flanagan
Catalans:
- 1 Sam Tomkins
- 2 Arthur Romano
- 3 David Mead
- 4 Brayden Wiliame
- 5 Fouad Yaha
- 6 Tony Gigot
- 7 Matty Smith
- 8 Julien Bosquet
- 9 Michael Mcllorum
- 10 Mickael Simon
- 11 Matt Whitley
- 12 Benjamin Garcia
- 13 Remi Casty
Interchanges:
- 14 Benjamin Jullien
- 15 Lucas Albert
- 16 Antoni Maria
- 17 Sam Kasiano
