The travelling Salford Red Devils were eliminated from the Challenge Cup after a hard-fought battle against Catalan Dragons, losing 20-12.
The visiting Red Devils have been operating under salary cap sanctions for much of the season due to their financial plight, with several key players departing in recent weeks.
However, they put up a valiant effort at Stade Gilbert Brutus as Jake Shorrocks and Matty Foster crossed in each half to give the Betfred Super League’s basement club some hope for the rest of the campaign.
Nick Cotric and Arthur Romano gave the hosts an early 8-0 lead before Shorrocks crossed to cut the deficit to two points at the break.
Elliott Whitehead and Theo Fages extended Catalans’ advantage to 20-6 in the second half before Foster’s reply, converted by Chris Hankinson with 17 minutes remaining, ensured the home side were made to work for their semi-final berth.
Things started badly for Salford when they lost possession on their second carry which resulted with Cotric putting Catalans on the scoreboard in the first minute, with Sam Tomkins – on his 400th career appearance – unable to convert.
Opposite wing Tommy Makinson was next over the line, but referee Aaron Moore ruled an obstruction in the build-up.
Theo Fages suffered a similar fate on the next phase then Cotric was denied his second try for a foot in touch.
Some terrific scrambling defence kept the Red Devils alive as the Dragons went close again through Tomkins and Bayley Sironen.
But they could do little to stop centre Romano romping over after clever work from Reimis Smith in the 21st minute, this time Makinson was off target with the conversion.
Former Catalan Dragons forward Tiaki Chan received a round of applause as he came off the bench for Jack Ormondroyd, but a ferocious tackle by Whitehead on the prop, who had to leave for a head injury assessment, saw the Englishman go in the sin bin.
The Red Devils tried to press the numerical advantage when Hankinson sprinted 40 metres before the ball then shifted to the left where Esan Marsters was held on the last, inches short of the line.
Cotric had to leave the field limping seven minutes from the interval and things went worse for the Dragons when a bulldozing run from prop Chris Hill put loose forward Shorrocks in between the posts unopposed. Hankinson added the conversion for 8-6 at half-time.
The hosts came out firing in the second half and Whitehead showed what his side was missing when he returned to score the first try of the second half. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet adding the conversion.
Catalan Dragons were 20-6 in front after Fages crossed, but the Red Devils would not lie down.
Marsters set off on a 62nd-minute dash and Foster was in close support to finish the move, with Hankinson’s conversion putting just eight points between the sides, but Catalans held on for victory.
The Red Devils who had an impressive cup run, will be gutted to be exiting the tournament in the quarterfinals but will now have to return focus back to the league competition.
Paul Rowley’s side will be looking to get back into winning ways against Leeds Rhinos and will have a chance of revenge when they return to France on April 19.
Recent Comments