Super League: Catalans Dragons 42-6 Salford Red Devils - Yaha scores hat-trick
- Published
Fouad Yaha now has five tries in four games for the Dragons in 2021
Betfred Super League |
|---|
Catalans (20) 42 |
Tries: Garcia, Langi, Drinkwater, Yaha 3, Davies Goals: Maloney 7 |
Salford (0) 6 |
Tries: Livett Goals: Escare |
Fouad Yaha ran in a hat-trick as Catalans Dragons continued their 100% record in Super League this season with a ruthless 42-6 home win over Salford.
The Dragons had plenty of defending to do in the first half but scored three tries through Ben Garcia, Samisoni Langi and Josh Drinkwater.
Yaha and Tom Davies added to the lead before Harvey Livett got Salford on the scoreboard for the first time.
France winger Yaha added two more for his treble in an impressive display.
Finally back on home soil in Perpignan for the first time since Salford made the trip last November, Steve McNamara's side showed plenty of defensive steel and ruthlessness in attack.
They have now won their first four games in league and cup. Not since the 2012 season under current Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson had they won three in a row in Super League.
Mike McMeeken continued his revival after leaving Castleford with powerful right-edge runs and a superb offload for Davies' score, while full-back Sam Tomkins showed he can match apparent England rival Zak Hardaker for influence with another mature display.
Richard Marshall's start to life as Salford coach has been a tough one. Three league defeats, with just 16 points scored, leaves them rooted to the foot of the table.
They showed plenty of signs of promise during the first half, with strong forwards laying a platform for Tui Lolohea and Kevin Brown to drop kicks in behind and force repeat sets.
However, errors littered their play and the ease of which Catalans broke their defensive line for Langi and Drinkwater's tries, through Tomkins and McMeeken, will concern Marshall and Danny Orr on the coaching staff.
Salford learning 'tough lessons' - reaction
Catalans coach Steve McNamara: "The scoreboard reflects well on us but I don't think we quite had that same edge about us tonight as we have in the previous three games.
"We had a couple of lapses in concentration and I don't think we're tackling like we should be. Saying that it was a pretty comprehensive win for us.
"You can't judge your progress just on the scoreboard, there are many other areas to look at.
"Winning four games is a good start to the season for us but we need to freshen up and be a lot sharper against Warrington next week."
Salford coach Richard Marshall: "We are learning some tough lessons at the moment.
"We've played three tough teams and we're the first team to come out to France but at the same time we thought we would execute our plan a lot better than that.
"We were rattled and Catalans blew us away. We led to our own downfall we made far too many mistakes and errors.
"We all have to be responsible for our ball control but I will take responsibility for the performance, I have to put my hand up and I will make sure we are working really hard to improve upon that performance this week. We've let our supporters down with that performance."
Catalans: S Tomkins; Davies, Whare, Langi, Yaha; Maloney, Drinkwater; Dudson, Da Costa, Bousquet, Whitley, McMeeken, Garcia.
Interchanges: McIlorum, Seguier, Baitieri, Kasiano.
Salford: Escare; Sio, Watkins, Costello, Williams; Lolohea, Brown; Mossop, Patton, Ormondroyd, Livett, Pauli, Taylor.
Interchanges: Ackers, Ikahahifo, Wells, D Lussick.
Referee: Ben Thaler.