Salford burnt by Dragons
Salford failed to make their laborious trip to France worthwhile as they were dumped out of the Challenge Cup by Catalans Dragons.
By Rachel Griffiths
Last Updated: 18/04/10 6:37pm
Salford failed to make their laborious trip to the south of France worthwhile as they were dumped out of the Carnegie Challenge Cup 30-8 by Catalans Dragons.
The Reds were forced to embark on a 27-hour coach and ferry journey to Perpignan due to their flight plans being disrupted by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud, and their efforts were ultimately in vain as the French side romped to a decisive home win.
The visitors made a weak start to their fourth-round tie at the Gilbert Brutus Stadium and could not formulate any real comeback as winger Frederic Vaccari crowned his first Cup outing with a brace of tries for Catalans.
Veteran prop forward Jerome Guisset drew first blood for the hosts with a 10th-minute try before Vaccari, who only made his Super League debut earlier this month, added another to put Dragons 10-0 ahead with just 13 minutes on the clock.
Brace
A brace of rapid tries from winger Jodie Broughton lifted Salford's spirits just before half-time, but Daniel Holdsworth failed to add the extras and the hosts clung to a 10-8 lead going into the break.
Centre Steven Bell widened the gap six minutes after the restart with another try for Catalans, with Thomas Bosc booting a second goal to make it 16-8.
And there was no way back for the visitors on 57 minutes when stand-off Casey Maguire crossed the line for Dragons' fourth try.
Even the absence of suspended duo Chris Walker and Dallas Johnson could not restrain the rampaging hosts as they continued to dominate the English side, and a late converted try from prop Remi Casty wrapped up a triumphant afternoon for the Catalans.
