Salford Red Devils 10-36 Catalans Dragons: Highlights, player ratings and talking points

Catalans Dragons travelled to an out of form Salford on Easter Monday looking to stay at the top end of the table.

The Dragons eased past a lacklustre Salford outfit as they made it seven wins from nine in the league, scoring six tries in the process as the home side struggled to break Catalans’ defence.

Highlights

12-minute spell turns the game
Despite an early Salford try from Deon Cross, Catalans quickly turned the tide of the game in their favour, with Laguerre and Davies scoring in the 7^th and 19^th minutes.

Key moments just ahead of halftime
Things got even worse for the home side as a third try was scored by the Dragons before halftime, followed by Sneyd making a rare goal kicking error as he failed to convert a penalty on the brink of the interval.

Dragons ease home
The second 40 was pretty much the same story, with Catalans scoring three tries to Salford’s one. However, there was something to cheer for the home fans as a try of the week contender was finished by Ken Sio off the back of two kicks from Sneyd and Brierley.

Talking Points

1. Salford cannot break the line
Despite a promising start to the campaign, a harsh reality seems to have set in at Salford. Today was yet another reminder of this, as Salford had to rely on kicks for the two tries that they were able to score. They have been unable to find the gaps in opposition defences in recent weeks and have been failing to create overlaps for their wingers to profit from which is something that needs addressing if they are to recover. A promising return for Kallum Watkins at second row may give some hope to their situation, and if he can stay fit, he will certainly help them unlock defences.

2. Catalans’ forwards look strong
Catalans showed their strength down the middle as they limited Salford’s field position all game. Despite injuries to some key players, Catalans looked solid in the middle and gave Pearce and Drinkwater enough of a platform to work on. If they are to challenge Saints again this year, their forwards will be key, so they need to continue to perform throughout the season.

3. Salford too reliant on Sneyd
When it was announced that Sneyd had signed for Salford, it became immediately clear he’d be their main man, and in the opening two rounds it looked like a brilliant match. However, they have had limited success moving the ball and sets tend to end with a kick from Sneyd’s boot without the field position to fully utilise his ability. So, when Sneyd is not at his best or if he was to get injured, there seems to be no one to take the game by the scruff of the neck at this time being.

Player Ratings:

Salford Red Devils
1 Ryan Brierley – 5
2 Ken Sio – 6
3 Matthew Costello – 6
4 Deon Cross – 6
5 Rhys Williams – 5
6 Brodie Croft – 5
7 Marc Sneyd – 6
8 Sitaleki Akauola – 5
9 Andy Ackers – 7
10 Jack Ormondroyd – 7
11 Danny Addy – 6
12 Elijah Taylor – 6
13 Sam Luckley – 6
Subs
14 King Vuniyayawa – 8
15 Chris Atkin – 6
16 Josh Johnson – 5
17 Kallum Watkins – 8

Catalans Dragons
1 Arthur Mourgue – 8
2 Tom Davies – 7
3 Tyrone May – 8
4 Mathieu Laguerre – 8
5 Fouad Yaha – 6
6 Mitchell Pearce – 9
7 Joshua Drinkwater – 8
8 Dylan Napa – 7
9 Michael Mcllorum – 7
10 Mickael Goudemand – 6
11 Matt Whitley – 6
12 Joe Chan – 8
13 Benjamin Garcia – 7
Subs
14 Alrix Da Costa – 6
15 Paul Seguier – 6
16 Jordan Dezaria – 7
17 Sam Kasiano – 7