Salford’s fate at the foot of Super League is all but sealed

Salford Red Devils 16 - 17 Catalans Dragons

Salford’s fate at the foot of Super League was all but sealed after a home defeat to a Catalans Dragons side reduced to 12 men for most of the contest.

Author | Desmond

Stadium | Salford Community Stadium

First-half tries from Jack Darbyshire and Neil Tchamambe, either side of Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet’s reply, gave the Red Devils a 10-4 lead at the interval. Catalans had been forced to play the final 46 minutes a man down following Franck Maria’s dismissal for a reckless challenge on Emmanuel Waine, who was stretchered off.

Yet the French side, despite their dismal form, struck back after the break. Jordan Dezaria crossed before Denive Balmforth gave Catalans their first lead with 15 minutes to go. Ugo Tison’s drop goal then proved decisive when Tchamambe’s last-minute second try, converted by Rowan Milnes, left Salford a point short.

A closer look at what happened

Catalans arrived in Manchester having lost 13 of their previous 15 matches, offering Salford a realistic chance of securing back-to-back victories for the first time this season. Instead, Paul Rowley’s side slumped to a 22nd defeat of the campaign, leaving them four points adrift of Castleford with a far inferior points difference and only two games to play.

Results on the field remain overshadowed by the uncertainty off it, with the High Court this week adjourning a winding-up petition against the club for a second time, allowing them at least to see out the season.

There was no lack of spirit from Salford, who had earlier needed a try-saving tackle from Sam Davis on Bayley Sironen. Darbyshire opened the scoring after neat work from Rowan Milnes and Leon Ruan, before Aispuro-Bichet replied in the corner. Moments later Tchamambe struck again, capitalising on Olly Russell’s crunching tackle that forced a turnover.

But after Dezaria’s equaliser, Balmforth’s opportunism and Tison’s calm drop goal tipped the contest decisively in Catalans’ favour. Tchamambe’s late finish offered hope of an escape, but it came too late to alter the outcome or Salford’s bleak outlook.

Praise for ‘remarkable human beings’ after a difficult week

After another chaotic win for the club, fans were full of praise for the squad and the manager. 

Edward, a Salford fan, told us: “So proud to be a Salford lad and a Red Devils supporter. We ran out of ideas in the second half, but we’ll keep going. Paul Rowley has to be the most loyal coach in the league, and he’s a brilliant man to have leading us.”

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Pablo, another fan, added: “They are remarkable human beings who care deeply about who they represent, about themselves, and the standards they set. It is unbelievable how they have come together in such a short space of time.”

Ian was disappointed with the result but was pleased with some aspects of the performance. He told us: “For the first time this season, I felt disappointed to lose, which is strangely a welcome change from simply expecting defeat. We have uncovered real potential for the future, whatever form it takes. It is a pity there is only just enough money to cover players and staff, because every one of them deserves a bonus for the effort shown this season. Proud to be a Salford fan.”