Super League: Catalans Dragons win at Salford Red Devils
Last Updated: 25/03/16 6:08pm
Catalans Dragons notched their first win at Salford for five years after an impressive performance saw them claim a 26-12 victory.
The Dragons were never behind as they celebrated their third away victory in a row this season after picking up both points at Wakefield and Huddersfield.
Catalans led 12-4 at half-time thanks to scores from Tony Gigot, Eloi Pelissier and two from Dave Taylor with Pat Richards kicking five goals.
Josh Griffin crossed for Salford's only first-half score, before Greg Johnson added a further two after the break in a game the Red Devils never looked like winning.
Gareth O'Brien, who has made an impressive start at Salford after his winter move from Warrington, lined up for his 100th career appearance but had little to celebrate as the Red Devils failed to achieve their fifth successive home win against Catalans.
Salford left out Niall Evalds after the defeat at Hull KR with O'Brien switched to full back and hooker Tommy Lee moving to stand off to deputise for injured Robert Lui, while Carl Forster made his first appearance of the season off the bench.
The Dragons welcomed back Justin Horo after injury but were missing Krisnan Inu who started a three-match ban for a dangerous throw on Eorl Crabtree in the win at Huddersfield.
Out-of-favour Morgan Escare was again surprisingly omitted despite Inu's suspension, with Gigot continuing at full-back.
Salford stuttered from the world go with O'Brien's kick-off failing to reach 10 metres and the Red Devils did not touch the ball before Gigot went over after only three minutes, with Richards missing the conversion attempt.
However, the Red Devils hit back with smart play from Craig Kopczak and Lee who could have scored if he had not hesitated to look round for support.
Catalans' relief was short-lived with Josh Griffin using Johnson as a foil to crash over for his seventh try of the season and level the scores.
Salford were attempting to play enterprisingly despite being without playmaker Lui but Kopczak tried one pass too many to squander a chance near the Dragons line.
Remi Casty, an early substitute for Louis Anderson, went close for Catalans on a battering charge with Myler's probing kicks causing problems.
Salford suffered at the hands of their own ill discipline and lack of possession, with a Richards penalty stretching the lead to 12-4 after the Red Devils were caught offside and handed a team warning by referee Richard Silverwood.
A high tackle by Adam Walne on Myler put Salford under pressure, with Pelissier taking advantage of casual marking at dummy-half to stroll over. Richards' kick fired the Dragons 10-4 ahead.
Handling errors by Mark Flanagan, O'Brien and Josh Griffin added to the Red Devils' frustrations with Catalans fully deserving their interval lead.
Pelissier needed a dislocated finger put back in place early in the second half but did not allow the injury to stop his all-action display.
Catalans grabbed a third try through Taylor when O'Brien and Justin Carney failed to deal with a high kick, with Richards tagging on the goal to extend the advantage to 18-4 after 52 minutes.
The home side needed a lucky break and Catalans obliged when Gigot lost possession, with Tomkins pouncing to send a precision kick into the corner for Johnson to touch down.
The Reds were fortunate when Richards just failed to intercept a stray Matt Sarsfield pass with the way to the line open, before Johnson notched his second try in five minutes.
Three penalties in a row gave Salford the field position for Tomkins, Michael Dobson and O'Brien to produce slick handling and send winger Johnson racing over in the corner to cut the deficit to 18-12.
Richards slotted over a penalty to give the Dragons an eight-point cushion before Taylor crossed for his second try two minutes from time.
