Caton-Brown treble shows Reds the way!
Reds Head Coach Ian Watson was hoping to put last week’s disappointing result against Warrington Wolves behind him for this tussle at Widnes Vikings. Justin Carney was back from suspension to replace Greg Johnson on the wing in the starting thirteen whilst there were places on the bench for Olsi Krasniqi and Niall Evalds.
Widnes laid siege to Salford’s line from the offset but the Reds were upto the task and were the first to score after just two minutes when Mason Caton-Brown streaked down the wing after good work by Rob Lui and Junior Sau to score. Gareth O’Brien landed a great touch-line kick for a 0-6 lead.
The Reds were then subjected to more intense Widnes pressure which eventually took its toll for Matt Whitley to slice through to score. Lloyd White converted to put the side’s level at 6-6.
Salford continued to impress and added a second try in the 27th minute when Carney just managed to touchdown in the corner. Another touch-line kick from O’Brien put the Reds ahead at 6-12.
There was no stopping winger Patrick Ah Van in the 35th minute when he burst through the Reds defence before cutting inside to score. Corey Thompson added the extras to draw the sides level again at 12-12.
Half-time came with the sides locked at 12-12 although Widnes thought they had a score only for Hep Cahill to be held up over the line.
Salford went back in front after 53 minutes when Caton-Brown crossed for his second try after a superb off-load from Lui to Sau paved the way. O’Brien again converted (12-16).
Widnes then levelled in the 61st minute with Whitley’s second try and White’s third goal (18-18).
Not long after Salford edged back in front, with Dobson putting Jones over. O’Brien then missed with perhaps his easiest kick off the night but was to add two penalties in quick succession (18-26).
Widnes were not done for though and came back with a try from Thompson which was converted by White (24-26).
The Reds then had the final say when Caton-Brown completed his treble in the 78th minute. Michael Dobson this time converting for a final score of 24-32.
Ian Watson was full of praise later for Caton-Brown : “Mason’s speed caused Widnes all sorts of problems. He was brilliant.
“We were disappointed with a 7-1 penalty count against us in the first half and we had to do plenty of defending but showed plenty of grit and determination.
“We wanted to be in the top six this season and we would have had a great chance without the six-point deduction but now we have to take this sort of performance into the Middle Eights.
“We had a difficult time last week with the court case but the boys stuck to their task as a group which is very pleasing.”
Salford: O’Brien; Caton-Brown,Sau,J Griffin,Carney,Lui, Dobson,Kopczak,Tomkins,G Griffin, Murdoch-Masila, Jones,Flanagan.
Subs: Krasniqi,Hauraki,Kenny,Evalds
Referee: Mr G Hewer
Attendance: 4,636
Photo: Mason Caton-Brown
