Betfred Super League
Salford (12) 27
Tries: Nikorima, Mellor, Lafai, Cross Goals: Sneyd 5 Drop-goal: Sneyd
Catalans (6) 12
Tries: Mourgue, Sironen Goal: Mourgue 2
Salford Red Devils all but ended Catalans Dragons’ hopes of a Super League play-off spot and boosted their own aspirations as they moved up to fourth in the table with a clinical win.
Strong early Catalans pressure saw them well on top but they only had an Arthur Mourgue penalty to show for it.
The visitors then gifted Salford a try with some calamitous defending, which eventually allowed Jayden Nikorima to score against his former club.
Catalans were soon back on terms at 6-6 when a swift break and some quick ball led to Mourgue going over, but Joe Mellor’s crafty close-range try and Marc Sneyd’s second kick put Salford 12-6 up at the interval.
The class of Sneyd and Tim Lafai told after the break, the former helping to tee up the latter for a third score, before Lafai laid on a fourth try with a wonderful pass to Deon Cross.
A spirited late rally by the visitors enabled Byron Sironen to cross to make it 26-12.
However, there was still time for Sneyd to slot a mammoth drop-goal to seal the hosts’ 27-12 win.
It was a fitting end to a gritty team performance which leaves Salford a point clear of fifth-placed Leigh and two ahead of St Helens and Leeds in sixth and seventh.
But defeat means Catalans remain eighth in the table with just two games to go and now need a highly unlikely set of results to sneak into the top six.
Salford were great value for the win, combining a resolute defensive showing with some impressive and ruthless attacking.
Sneyd’s cute kicking game and accuracy when going for goal ultimately made all the difference, while Catalans failed to make their most of a blistering start and numerous forays into Salford territory.
Salford: Brierley; Ryan, MacDonald, Lafai, Cross; Nikorima, Sneyd, Singleton, Mellor, Dudson, Stone, Watkins, Partington.
Interchanges: Wright, Shorrocks, Hankinson, Bullock.
Catalans: Mourgue; Davies, Smith, Laguerre, Yaha; Rouge, Fages, Navarette, Da Costa, Bousquet, McMeeken, Sironen, Garcia.
Interchanges: Sims, Dezaria, Tomkins, Wallace.
Referee: Liam Moore.