Catalans v Salford.

Over the last five years or so Salford have won many friends in the sport of Rugby League. Other clubs and their supporters have admired the work that’s been done on and off the field on a pretty humble budget.

Of course you still get the my dads bigger than your dad brigade criticising the home attendances, even though no one ever suggests a solution. All that said though I am very proud of the direction the club has been heading in.

Sunday’s performance against Hull wasn’t the best we’ve seen this season but to often people forget to give the opposing team credit and I thought the Airlie Birds were very organised and worked hard for eighty minutes. Your only as good as a team let’s you play. The most important thing is the two points and with twenty two league points already in 2024 that’s just two wins behind the total for the whole of last seasons campaign.

The annual trip to France to face Catalans is always a real test, particularly this time of year when the weather is very hot in Perpignan. I spoke to Chris Atkin after Sunday’s match and he was telling me how important it is for the players to spend time together off the pitch. Travelling abroad is a perfect example of this and their is no doubt Paul Rowley and Kurt Haggerty will have the lads fully prepared for another huge game against a Dragons side that sit once place below us in the table.

Steve McNamara’s Catalans have not been quite as prolific with their home form this season. Huddersfield Giants thumped the Dragons 6-34 in the Challenge Cup with Warrington and Leigh also victorious in Perpignan in 2024. In recent weeks Jordan Abdull has partnered Theo Fages at halfback but they are yet to get into top gear.

Super away record

Catalans 12

Draws 1

Salford 5

2006 Catalans 22 Salford 28

2006 Catalans 26 Salford 6

2007 Catalans 66 Salford 6

2009 Catalans 38 Salford 6

2010 Catalans 14 Salford 22

2011 Catalans 10 Salford 22

2012 Catalans 40 Salford 18

2013 Catalans 40 Salford 6

2014 Catalans 37 Salford 24

2015 Catalans 40 Salford 40

2016 Catalans 42 Salford 32

2017 Catalans 38 Salford 6

2018 Catalans 44 Salford 10

2019 Catalans 0 Salford 46

2020 Catalans 30 Salford 14

2021 Catalans 42 Salford 6

2022 Catalans 14 Salford 46

2023 Catalans 42 Salford 0

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.

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A match to remember Saturday 7th March 2015.

Catalans 40 Salford 40.

The 2015 season turned out to be a real rollercoaster ride for Salford and there supporters. After a tough start with defeats at Warrington and at home to St. Helens, The Red Devil’s clicked in to gear. Two from two at Easter with a fantastic display at Huddersfield on good Friday had the supporters believing again. Easter Monday saw the visit of Wigan to The AJ Bell Stadium in what turned out to be a thrilling match. Salford won 24-18 to sit proudly in third place in the League table. Rewind a few weeks earlier to Perpignan. Iestyn Harris’s Salford side played in one of the most memorable matches Super League has seen.

Junior Sa’u, Josh Griffin, Cory Paterson and Tommy Lee all crossed to put Salford 22-0 up inside 19 minutes.

In a real end to end tussle The Dragons responded swiftly with Tries from Zeb Taia, Vincent Duport and Ben Pomeroy to make it 22-18 at the break.

Catalans added further tries by Pomeroy, Michael Oldfield, Elliot Whitehead and Ian Henderson, but Theo Fages, Rangi Chase and Paterson kept the Devils alive in a pulsating match which must of been a nightmare to watch for the coaching staff of both clubs.

With just one minute remaining The Dragons led 40-38. Referee Phil Bentham awarded Salford a penalty, much to the disgust of the home supporters.

Josh Griffin held his nerve to convert the two points on offer to grab a draw 40-40.

After the dizzy heights of third place at Easter, injuries and suspensions hit Salford hard. Coach Harris lost his job and was replaced by Ian Watson.

The Red Devils finished the regular season in 11th place.

Watson injected some grit and self belief in to his side leading them to safety through the Qualifiers winning 5 games from 7 matches.

The teams that night in France were;

Catalans Dragons: Escare; Oldfield, Pomeroy, Tonga, Duport; Carney, Dureau; Anderson, Henderson, Lima, Taia, Whitehead, Mounis.

Replacements: Elima, Garcia, Bousquet, Baitieri.

Salford Red Devils: Locke; Johnson, Sa’u, Paterson, J Griffin; Chase, Fages; Taylor, Lee, Tasi, Hansen, Hauraki, J Walne.

Replacements: Morley, D Griffin, A Walne, Hood.

Referee: Phil Bentham

Attendance 7,800.

Saturday’s match.

With four victories on the trot Salford will be full of confidence going into this match with the Dragons. Last Saturday Catalans won away from home at Hull Kingston Rovers in golden point extra time. That was a very good result because the Robins have been pretty formidable at home so far this year.

The Red Devils will once again be without centres Nene McDonald and Tim Lafai but Kallum Watkins and Sam Stone can both do a good job in the three quarters along with Chris Hankinson who played their last Sunday. Hankinson has impressed wherever he has played this season. He’s a good defender, very solid and returns the ball strongly as well as being very steady with limited mistakes.

It’s got to be hot and sunny on Saturday evening in Perpignan so Marc Sneyd’s kicking game will be very important. If Sneyd can dictate the match Salford have a great chance of bringing the points back across the channel.

The Super League is so competitive in the top half at the moment. In the playoffs anything can happen if the team is playing with confidence. It certainly is an exciting part of the season. Paul Rowley and Kurt Haggerty are managing the squad superbly with the limited numbers we have at the club. It was great to see two young players Nathan Connell and Jamie Pye sign professional contracts with the club this week. Both lads have got a very bright future with Salford Red Devils.

If your travelling over to France have a great time and take care.

The action gets under way at 5:30pm. (Uk time).

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme.