Round 4: Salford Reds vs Catalans Dragons

[DIEHARD]

Salford Reds vs Catalans Dragons
SATURDAY - 3rd March 2007

http://forums.rleague.com/images/avatars/uk/salford.gif v http://www.tinypic.com/nw08q8_th.jpg

***Use this thread for game day spoilers and general match information***

[DIEHARD]

Dragon suffer Gorrell injury blow

Catalans Dragons have been rocked by the news that hooker Aaron Gorrell will miss the remainder of the engage Super League season.

The 25-year old damaged knee ligaments during last week's 30-22 victory over Leeds Rhinos at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Chief executive Nicolas Rayer said: "Aaron Gorrell will undergo a full reconstruction on his knee this Friday in Perpignan to repair cruciate ligament damage suffered last saturday against Leeds.

"After a superb start to the season, it is a blow for Aaron, his team-mates and the club for him to have to miss the rest of the season.

"Knowing Aaron, he will bounce back and fight his way back to full fitness.

"Whilst it is an ambitious task, an opportunity has now arisen for one of our young French lads to step up and prove himself in the top flight to fill Aaron's spot."

Source: http://www.SuperLeague.co.uk

[DIEHARD]

Potter hails Dragons' stamina

Catalans Dragons coach Mick Potter believes his players’ improved staying power will ensure the engage Super League's French team remain competitive this year.

The Perpignan side were wooden spoon winners in their inaugural season but will face Salford City Reds in bouyant mood as they look to build on an impressive start to engage Super League XII.

They held off a strong finish by Hull FC in their opening game to earn a share of the spoils with last year’s beaten Grand Finalists and, although they were pipped at the post by Wigan Warriors, they finished the game strongly against Leeds Rhinos a week ago to claim a memorable 30-22 success.

That return is an improvement on last year, when Catalans frequently paid the price for failing to last the pace in matches, and Potter gives the credit for that to new fitness trainer Rodney Howe, the former Melbourne and Australia forward.

“It [stamina] was a concern for us,” he said. “You could see there were a few guys falling away and others doing more work than the others because they were fitter.

“We worked really hard in the off season and Rodney Howe has done a real good job with our fitness. I think everyone is a little bit better. I’m happy with their fitness, we’re competitive.”

The Dragons have been dealt a major blow with the loss of influential hooker Aaron Gorrell, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the win over Leeds, but they have a natural replacement in France international David Berthezene.

They take on a Salford side still looking to reach the heights of last season but coach Karl Harrison insists the Reds are not far away from recording an overdue first win.

“We played pretty good against Leeds and could have won and started poorly against Harlequins but probably should have won,” he said.

“We were poor against Wakefield last week but we’re not pressing the panic button. The guys who have performed shouldn’t be dropped for one poor game. They have the chance to put things right.”

After boasting the second-best defence in the league in 2006 but only the ninth most potent attack, Harrison’s men have experienced a reversal of fortunes so far.

While they have conceded more points than any other team, only Bradford Bulls and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have scored more.

Harrison remains unconcerned, insisting it takes time for newcomers like Michael Korkidas, Mark Edmondson and Luke Dorn to bed into the side.

“We’re certainly a better attacking force but we’re conceding a few more points than I’d like to but that’s because we have people new to our system and it’s going to take a bit of time,” he said.

Source: http://www.SuperLeague.co.uk

[DIEHARD]

Salford v Catalans Dragons (Sat)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42616000/gif/_42616367_salford_catalans_06.gif

Saturday, 3 March
The Willows
Kick-off: 1800 GMT

Salford are set to hand forward David Gower his first appearance of the season in their only change.

The Reds are still without centre Aaron Moule (back) and prop Paul Highton (calf), while Karl Fitzpatrick and Ian Sibbit remain long-term injury victims.

French Test hooker David Berthezene is set for his first Super League game of the year for Catalans as a replacement for the injured Aaron Gorrell.

Centre or stand-off John Wilson returns after recovering from a knee injury.
_________________________________________

Salford (from): Hodgson, McGuinness, Wilshere, Dorn, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Korkidas, Edmondson, Finnigan, Brocklehurst, Haggerty, Adamson, Littler, Gower, Halliwell, Jewitt, Williams.

Catalans Dragons (from): Berthezene, Bosc, Chan, Croker, Duport, Fellous, Ferriol, Gossard, Greenshields, Guisset, McGuire, Mogg, Mounis, Murphy, Pelo, Raguin, Teixido, Wilson

http://news.bbc.co.uk

[Capital_Shark]

Another dragon suffering a season ending injury ey..

This might be slightly off topic, but the bloody hell do we get live soccer from England on fox, but the only Super League games are a week old?

[DIEHARD]

Another dragon suffering a season ending injury ey..

This might be slightly off topic, but the bloody hell do we get live soccer from England on fox, but the only Super League games are a week old?

Yea it is a disgrace isn't it. Because it is cheaper to post a tape to Australia than get a sat feed of the game... They don't believe there is a market obviously.

Maybe they should take a look at the Top 100 rating shows on Pay TV.

I think Super League, given the right coverage and promotion would be a hit in Australia with many people taking on a team. They'd need to telecast one of their magazine shows as well, so we can keep up to date on all games per round.

[Capital_Shark]

Yea it is a disgrace isn't it. Because it is cheaper to post a tape to Australia than get a sat feed of the game... They don't believe there is a market obviously.

Maybe they should take a look at the Top 100 rating shows on Pay TV.

I think Super League, given the right coverage and promotion would be a hit in Australia with many people taking on a team. They'd need to telecast one of their magazine shows as well, so we can keep up to date on all games per round.

Yeah, I'd really like to follow the Super League like I do the NRL, but I just can't get into the games as much, mostly cause I know the result and I know bugger all about the players and stuff because of the lack of exposure its given out here.

They bring us baseball, NFL, ice hockey, basketball and soccer all live from other countries, but not another countries version of one of Australia's premier sporting codes. I'm certain give some week to week and up to date insight into the game there would be a massive market for it here.

[DIEHARD]

Yep exactly, we all know the results and we all know how hard it is to get into a game when you already know the outcome... :nope:

[DIEHARD]

Salford 10-0 Catalans Dragons

Salford 10 (6)
Tries: Dorn, Alker
Goals: Wilshere

Catalans 0 (0)

Salford claimed their first win of the season after edging a dour and error-strewn contest at the Willows.

The Reds conceded more points than any other club in the first three rounds but were able to nullify the threat of the dangerous French side.

Luke Dorn scored early on but Salford had to wait for an hour for another try despite having most of the possession.

After spurning a host of chances, captain Malcolm Alker sealed the points after darting over from dummy-half.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Salford coach Karl Harrison:
"I thought we were defensively outstanding. It was reminiscent of last year's efforts.
"Catalans have been playing well this season and took Leeds apart last week, but we nullified their attack.

"I don't think they looked like scoring all night. It was not pretty but it was desperate that we got the result."

Catalans coach Mick Potter:
"We did miss Aaron Gorrell, but that's not the reason we lost.
"They defended really well and handled the conditions better than us. We played a little too much and didn't value possession enough.

"I have been pleased with Thomas Bosc and Casey McGuire but you can't replace Stacey Jones. He is world-class and it will be a boost if he is back next week."
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Salford: Hodgson, Williams, Littler, McGuinness, Wilshere, Dorn, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Korkidas, Adamson, Edmondson, Finnigan.
Replacements: Halliwell, Gower, Jewitt, Haggerty.

Catalans Dragons: Greenshields, Murphy, Wilson, Mogg, Pelo, Bosc, McGuire, Fellous, Teixido, Guisset, Raguin, Croker, Mounis.
Replacements: Berthezene, Chan, Ferriol, Gossard.

Ref: S Ganson (St Helens)

Source: http://www.BBC.co.uk

[DIEHARD]

Ouch! Poor Les Cats.

But I'm a bit of a Salford fan, so not entirely destroyed that they get the points.