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Salford Red Devils miss out on play-offs after Catalans and Warrington victories

By Lewis Gray on 23rd September 2023 in Rugby League, Salford Red Devils, Sport

Salford Red Devils missed out on a second successive play-off campaign after losing 8-19 to Catalans Dragons.

Reds kept themselves close to the French side until two tries from Catalans late on put them out of sight.

Salford needed a victory to have any chance of overtaking 6th place Warrington Wolves, but Wire’s victory against Huddersfield Giants meant it was ultimately impossible for Salford to qualify for a chance to win the Grand Final.

It was Dragons who took the intiative in the early exchanges, keeping Salford pinned in their own backline, and took the lead when Matt Whitley went over and into the lead.

Catalans kept up this early game advantage, with Ryan Brierley denying Tom Johnstone the chance to extend their advantage.

Sam Tomkins, in his final ever regular season match, scored a penalty goal and 8-0 up on 33 minutes.

Needing a victory for any chance of a visit to Old Trafford, the Reds pushed forward and looked to break before the break, with Ken Sio dropping a chance to put Salford back within two.

Amir Bourouh and Tomkins were then yellow carded, with Marc Sneyd finally putting Salford on the board with a minute left in the half from the resulting penalty.

Ben Hellewell was brought on after the break, quickly rewarding Paul Rowley as he broke through the Catalans line and put Salford back level with 20 minutes to go.

GAME ON at Salford 🤩@SalfordDevils draw level with the Dragons 👀#SuperLeague #SLSalCat pic.twitter.com/EM4d8yAFGG

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 22, 2023

But with Dragons looking to claim the League Leaders’ Shield, they pushed onwards, hoping Leigh would beat Wigan and hand them the trophy for the second time.

Their pressure was rewarded with two quick tries by Juilian Bousquet and Tomkins, and stopped any chance of a Salford comeback.

Salford’s season ended with the final klaxon, finishing seventh and agonisingly close to a first ever back-to-back Super League play-off spot for the Reds.