The annual invasion of France began straight after the hard win against Leigh, as Salford were hoping to make it six wins on the trot. But I was expecting a tough game here with Catalans having the advantage of a few days extra rest and the hot weather in their favour.
Watto's boys flew out yesterday because of a plane cancellation which was not an ideal preparation but Todd Carney returned against his old club, so there was hope...
Catalans were first to score after 15 minutes, which was converted to make it 6-0 to the hosts. The game ebbed and flowed, but to me Salford were looking flat; they needed a game changing moment.
There were a few dirty hits going into the Salford team and the ref let them go, before Catalans scored a dubious try under the Salford post. The ref went to the screen for a look but amazingly the try was given and converted. Add in a penalty before half time and Salford went in 14-0 down.
The second half didn't get much better with four more Catalans tries and two late drop-goals. The only positive was a brilliant breakaway try by Justin Carney, with Gareth O'Brien adding the extras. Final score: Catalans Dragons 38 Salford Red Devils 6.
How one team can have more days rest than their opponents defies belief. We had players limping off the pitch on Friday after that grueller of a game against Leigh, and just didn't have long enough to recuperate.
After the game, Peter Eardley, said: "We will learn from this defeat and come back stronger as a team" and Darren Wright added "Our run was going to come to an end soon and this is a hard place to come..."
I just wish the lads would have done it for the brilliant supporters that have come all this way but it was not to be...We will be back at the home game against Toronto in the cup...
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