Salford 32-6 Catalans: Ken Sio scores hat-trick as Red Devils close in on play-offs

Salford winger Ken Sio crossed for a hat-trick as his Red Devils side close in on a play-off spot following a 32-6 victory over Catalans at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Paul Rowley’s side, who ran in 20 unanswered second half points, now sit just two points behind sixth-placed Hull FC in the Super League table.

Match report

Joe Burgess returned for the hosts, replacing Rhys Williams on the wing. Ryan Lannon was also named to start, replacing the suspended Sita Akauola. Ben Hellewell was named on the bench having only joined the side this week on loan from Featherstone. 

Catalans were without Gil Dudson. Mathieu Laguerre was named on the wing for Arthur Romano.

Joe Chan opened the scoring with just his first touch of the ball on seven minutes. The Melbourne Storm-bound back-rower replaced Matt Whitley, who left the field with a leg injury. Sam Tomkins put in a neat grubber and Chan won the race to ground the ball.

With the weather hitting 31 degrees, the side enjoyed a much-deserved water break on 20 minutes.

Salford hit back shortly after, with Ken Sio crossing for his 17th try of the season and his first of the afternoon. Marc Sneyd couldn’t convert from out-wide, meaning Dragons retained their lead 6-4. 

However, Salford took the lead just five minutes from the break thanks to another try from Sio. This time, the 31-year-old grounding a kick from full-back Ryan Brierley.

Sneyd extended the lead to six on the half-time hooter with a penalty conversion.

HT: Salford 12-6 Catalans

The Red Devils arguably put on their best defensive efforts of the season early in the second half, having to withhold multiple sets on their own line. Their solid defence was almost instantly rewarded with a try, as Deon Cross raced 60 metres only for his pass to Sio to go forward. 

Salford did score their third of the afternoon on 56 minutes through Brodie Croft. The half-back supported an attacking Andy Ackers to race under the sticks and score. 

Sneyd extended the lead to 20-6 with a penalty on 60 minutes. 

Sio completed his hat-trick on 67 minutes thanks to a slick back-line play which left him room to score in the corner.

Jack Ormondroyd capped off a fine team performance with a try on 73 minutes, supporting a break from Brierley from half-way for a 32-6 score.

FT: Salford 32-6 Catalans

Salford: Brierley, Sio, Cross, Lafai, Burgess, Croft, Sneyd, Lannon, Ackers, Ormondroyd, Watkins, Taylor, Gerrard. Bench: Luckley, Helewell, Atkin, Addy.

Tries: Sio (3), Croft, Ormondroyd.

Goals: Sneyd 6/7

Catalans: Tomkins, Yaha, Whare, Langi, Laguerre, Drinkwater, Pearce, Bousquet, Da Costa, Goudemand, Whitley, Jullien, Seguier. Bench: May, Le Cam, Kasiano, Chan.

Tries: Chan

Goals: Tomkins 1/1

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