Salford v Catalans.

Both sides left Newcastle empty handed last Sunday. Salford fought back well in the second half against Huddersfield and it was great to see Sam Luckley get a try in front of the Gallowgate end. 

The Giants however were the better side and deserved to win the match. Catalans played Warrington in the next match and this game provided the shock of the weekend. The Dragons had beaten St.Helens the previous week in a cracking match in Perpignan. The Wolves were low on confidence but with the returning George Williams in the team produced one of their best displays of the season running out 10-36 winners.

Salford now sit eighth in the Super League table, four points off the playoffs and six points in front of bottom side Toulouse. The Red Devils can’t afford to look to far ahead. Paul Rowley’s squad is being tested even more now with Tyler Dupree and Harvey Livett both picking up injuries against the Giants. 

It seems a real challenge to get nineteen fit players ready each week. Looking at the remaining fixtures and the current League table their could be plenty more twists and turns between now and the end of the season.

Super League home record.

Won 10

Draws 0

Lost 6

2006 Salford 16 Catalans 0

2007 Salford 10 Catalans 0

2009 Salford 16 Catalans 18

2010 Salford 12 Catalans 24

2011 Salford 18 Catalans 44

2012 Salford 34 Catalans 30

2013 Salford 16 Catalans 12

2014 Salford 34 Catalans 22

2015 Salford 18 Catalans 14

2016 Salford 12 Catalans 26

2017 Salford 50 Catalans 12

2018 Salford 32 Catalans 16

2019 Salford 40 Catalans 14

2020 Salford 42 Catalans 24

2021 Salford 14 Catalans 42

2022 Salford 10 Catalans 36

They played for both.

Despite Catalan Dragons short existence there are a number of players who’ve played for both clubs including Jodie Broughton, Luke Burgess, Iain Thornley, David Berthezene, Todd Carney, Michael Dobson, Richie Myler and Gil Dudson.

A match to remember Friday 1st June 2012

Salford 34 Catalans Dragons 30.

It looked like ‘Good night Vienna’ after twenty five minutes as The Dragons blitzed Salford to storm in to a 0-20 lead with four unanswered tries.

The Reds hit back with tries from Joel Moon and Daniel Holdsworth but Vinnie Anderson was sin-binned before half-time with the score reading 12-20.

Salford were right back in the match with momentum swinging in their favour. The home supporters roared their side on and more points followed.

Two quick fire tries in the opening five minutes of the second half edged Salford in front at 22-20. Sean Gleeson grabbed the first within sixty seconds of the restart before the lightning quick Jodie Broughton crossed soon after.

Salford made it twenty eight points without reply when Australian fullback Luke Pattern crossed for a try. This was a significant score as it opened an eight point gap between the teams.

The Dragons came roaring back though with a try from French international Remi Casty. Their was no stopping the huge prop close to the line.

Jodie Broughton nudged Salford back into a two score lead with his second try and despite Vincent Duports late effort it was just enough for the home side to cling on.

This was an absolutely pulsating encounter in the first meeting between the two sides at Salford’s new stadium.

Catalans had won on an emotional final day at The Willows the previous year.

The teams that night were:

Salford: Patten, Broughton, Moon, Gleeson, Williams, Holdsworth, Smith, Jewitt, Howarth, Sidlow, Ashurst, Anderson, Wild.

Subs. Paleaaesina, Owen, McPherson, Nero.

Sin Bin: Anderson (38).

Catalan Dragons: Bosc, Millard, Baile, Duport, Stacul, Pryce, Dureau, Casty, Fisher, Paea, Menzies, Anderson, Baitieri.

Subs. Ferriol, Henderson, Mounis, Raguin.

Att: 5,841

Ref: Steve Ganson (St Helens)

Sunday’s match.

Looking at the Weather forecast and it looks like Sunday is going to be a very hot day. Temperatures will feel more like Perpignan than Salford. The AJ Bell Stadium can get pretty nipping even in the summer time with the wind that blows across the surrounding landscape. On Sunday though I don’t think you’ll need a coat!

The Dragons have a few players missing through suspension. Discipline has again been an achilles heal for Steve McNamara’s side in 2022. They came so close to becoming Super League Champions last year losing a classic Grand Final to St.Helens. With Josh Drinkwater and Mitchell Pearce pulling the strings in the halves Catalans can score plenty of points as they’ve proved already.

Salford have surprisingly scored more points than the Dragons this season. Only Wigan, Saints and Huddersfield have posted more so far. It’s defence that tends to be the stumbling block for Salford. With the hot temperatures expected and both sides style of play we could see a very high scoring match this Sunday.

One player who deserves a mention is Deon Cross. Deon is having a fantastic season at Salford creating tries as well as scoring them. He has scored a try in six consecutive games now and looks so comfortable every week. It’s fair to say he’s been a real star this season and a great signing for the club. 

The club have been working tirelessly off the pitch with lots of youngsters coming to the match this Sunday. It promises to be a real carnival atmosphere. To add to the excitement the ladies team play at 12:30pm against Hull Kingston Rovers.

Safe travels and enjoy the day.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.