Devils take big ‘step forward’ despite defeat
SALFORD head coach Ian Watson focused on the positives despite a 30-14 defeat at Catalans Dragons in the Betfred Super League.
Two late tries were enough for Catalans as they were pushed all the way by the Red Devils.
Watson hailed his side’s first half defensive display and thinks Salford stepped up their performance.
“We didn’t build enough pressure in the first half and we didn’t complete our sets or turn over on our terms,” the Red Devils coach said.
“But I thought we defended really well for large chunks of that first half. I know what our team is capable of and that was a big step forward tonight, especially in terms of effort and attitude from the week before.
“What we cannot do is drop back, what we’re trying to do is structure a new group here and it’s been pretty difficult because one player comes in then one drops out.
“But the boys are getting it, they are understanding what we’re about now and with Kev (Brown) back now I thought he gave us a bit more organisation and control, but we need the right field position for him to be effective.
“We lost Sarge (Dan Sarginson) in training but I was really confident that Elliot Kear wouldn’t let us down, he always gives 110 per cent.”
Pre-match predictions of a Dragons rout were mis-placed as Salford stuck to their script with Kevin Brown, Tui Lolohea and Ken Sio providing a constant threat.
Michael McIlorum opened the scoring with a short-range try from dummy-half in the sixth minute, Maloney adding the conversion, then Matt Whitley chipped over the defence to touch down in the left corner.
Whitley doubled up, collecting a Maloney kick over the line for his second try on the half hour, Maloney again converting to make it 18-0.
Salford hit back early in the second half with a dazzling solo run from full-back Niall Evalds who stepped around Sam Tomkins to score on the right.
And Sio gave the visitors hope with a clever touchdown on the right corner flag before being bundled into touch.
The Red Devils were then penalised for a high tackle on Tomkins, Maloney taking the two points to make the score 20-10 with 20 minutes to go.
Salford raised their hopes by taking advantage of a fumble from Tomkins for Sio to add his second try on the right – Lolohea failing to convert and leaving the game with a six-point balance.
Lewis Tierney struck the killer blow for Catalans with a dazzling midfield dash resulting in a try for his fellow winger Fouad Yaha.