Round 16
Salford City Reds 16 l. Les Catalans Dragons 18

2009 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

McGuire keeps Catalans play-off hopes alive
Sun August 9, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Casey McGuire kept Catalans Dragons' engage Super League play-off hopes alive with a late winning try at Salford City Reds tonight.

McGuire touched down in the final minute at The Willows just moments after a Stefan Ratchford penalty looked to have won it for the Reds.

Catalans had battled back from 14-0 down with tries from Olivier Elima, Dane Carlaw and Adam Mogg but their efforts looked in vain as Ratchford nervelessly scored from 40 metres.

Salford dominated the first half but had only a 12-0 lead to show for their efforts at half-time after Craig Stapleton and John Wilshere tries.

They were unable to hold on and defeat, their fifth in succession, increases the pressure on coach Shaun McRae.

Attention will also focus on McRae's decision to leave out 19-year-old star Richie Myler, but his replacement at scrum-half, Ratchford, was one of the Reds' most influential players.

The game lacked atmosphere but not intensity early on as both sides hit each other hard up front.

It was in attack where the two sides differed. Catalans, missing suspended skipper Greg Bird, were unable to create much while Salford were well directed by Ratchford.

The opening try came after 10 minutes as burly forward Stapleton handed off one challenge and then barged his way through three more to score from close range.

A second try almost followed immediately as Luke Adamson broke from his own half and sent Stuart Littler away but Jeremy Smith was caught in the corner.

Smith did win a penalty but the attack ended as Mark Henry was thrown a difficult pass and lost possession.

Catalans offered little and one move they did create broke down when Jason Croker knocked on.

The Reds doubled their lead after hooker Malcolm Alker was stopped just short of the line.

The ball quickly came out to the influential Ratchford, who floated a delicate kick to the corner for Wilshere.

Ratchford converted both tries and then added another two points to his tally from a penalty early in the second half.

Wilshere also went close again as the Reds looked to close out the game but the Dragons finally stirred into life with almost an hour of the game gone.

Elima gave the Frenchmen hope as he raced on to a McGuire kick to score behind the posts and Gregory Mounis added the goal.

The visitors then raised the tempo and claimed a second try as Carlaw, shifted out to the wing, applied the finishing touches to a slick move from a Dimitri Pelo pass.

Super League's oldest player Croker, who this week learned his contract will not be renewed, thought he had added another but had to settle for a penalty.

Elima was then stopped just short of a second try but Mogg made no mistake with seven minutes remaining.

But Mounis could not add the goal and Ratchford stepped up to land a nerveless penalty after 77 minutes to put Salford 16-14 ahead.

Yet it was not enough as McGuire crashed over in the final minute to snatch a last-gasp victory.

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