| Salford (2) 8 |
| Tries: Hellewell Targets: Sneyd 2 |
| Catalans (8) 19 |
| Tries: Whitley, Bousquet, Tomkins Targets: Tomkins 3 Drop-goal: Tomkins |
Catalans Dragons ensured second place in Tremendous League and a house semi-final in a fortnight’s time with victory over Salford, who miss out on the play-offs.
Matt Whitley put the Dragons in entrance, and Sam Tomkins objectives added to the lead earlier than Mark Sneyd’s penalty obtained Salford on the board simply earlier than half-time.
Ben Hellewell pulled Salford degree within the second half when he scored.
Tomkins kicked a drop-goal after which, after Julian Bousquet powered over, crossed himself to seal it.
Whereas the Dragons knew the League Leaders’ Defend was out of their very own fingers, the prospect to guide a house semi-final was forefront within the thoughts of head coach Steve McNamara and his facet flew out of the blocks in pursuit of it.
They pressed the Pink Devils early on, focusing on the right-edge defence, with Arthur Romano denied a strive for a ahead move and Salford’s Ryan Brierley crucially swiping a chip to the nook by Tyrone Might.
Might did get his help although, turning a bit of move not far away to seek out the supporting Whitley for the opening strive.
Tomkins and Amir Bourouh got here collectively and had been despatched to the sin-bin earlier than half-time as tempers flared, and when each returned it was Salford who raced in via Hellewell for the primary second-half factors.
That appeared to spur the Dragons as they compelled drop-outs and pushed the house defence, earlier than Tomkins slotted a one-point insurance coverage coverage.
Mike McMeeken powered to the road earlier than teeing up the supporting Bousquet to dive over, and Tomkins buzzed in to ensure for Catalans.
Salford head coach Paul Rowley may properly really feel this was a missed alternative in 2023, as his facet suffered key accidents and the lack of Tyler Dupree to Wigan, however nonetheless had key personnel in 2022 Man of Metal Brodie Croft and Sneyd of their ranks.
Salford head coach Paul Rowley:
“This sport most likely mirrored the season as we have now been there or thereabouts in all the things we have now taken half in.
“Now we have been a troublesome staff to beat and we got here shut. However not shut sufficient sadly.
“It’s powerful to lose any sport however the double jeopardy is our season ended.
“So it’s powerful to take, although I’m tremendous happy with the boys for the efforts via the season. So, disenchanted to not get to spend a number of extra weeks working with the lads.”
Catalans head coach Steve McNamara:
“Situations had been exhausting and each groups made numerous errors. There was so much at stake for each groups however finally we needed to come right here and win.
It was our fourth journey to England in six weeks and we obtained the job carried out.
“If we might get Sam [Tomkins] a knee alternative like Andy Murray obtained a hip alternative to get him again taking part in once more.
“I joked with him within the week about doing that. It’s no secret he has a nasty knee. However he’s pushed at this stage and he simply managing it very well.
“Since he made the choice to retire and knew this was the swansong, his performances have gone even higher.”
Salford: Brierley; Sio, Cross, Lafai, Burgess; Croft, Sneyd; Ormondroyd, Bourouh, Singleton, Watkins, Stone, Partington.
Interchanges: Atkin, Addy, Sidlow, Hellewell. [Dixon]
Catalans: Tomkins; Johnstone, Ikuvalu, Romano, Davies; Pearce, Might; Navarrette, McIlorum, Dezaria, Whitley, McMeeken. Garcia.
Interchanges: Bousquet, Da Costa, Chan, Ma’u. [Goudemand]
Referee: Jack Smith.