Salford (12) 12
Tries: Talau, Gibson Goals: Ratchford 2

Catalans (8) 24
Tries: Walker 2, Greenshields, Sa, Raguin Goals: Sa, Mounis

Catalans Dragons won the battle of the bottom two as they ran in five tries to shock Salford at The Willows.

The French side trailed 12-8 at half-time, Chris Walker's two tries having been cancelled out by converted scores from Willie Talau and Ashley Gibson.

But three second-half tries in 19 minutes through Clint Greenshields, Setamaita Sa and Sebastien Rougin saw the Dragons turn it round.

That lifts them off the foot of the table, leaving Salford still winless.

Kevin Walters' Dragons went into the basement battle with the worst defence in Super League, having conceded an average of 36 points in each of their four defeats.

But, boosted by the return of Olivier Elima from a one-match ban, they bounced back from last week's humiliating 58-0 hammering at Wigan with a vastly improved show.

And victory was achieved without their half-back pairing of Adam Mogg, injured against Wigan, and the still sidelined Thomas Bosc.

The Reds, unchanged after last week's narrow defeat by Bradford Bulls, were fortunate to edge the interval lead as the Catalans looked the more threatening side for most of the first half.

But a poor Stefan Ratchford chip kick enabled the Dragons to race the full length of the field for Greenshields to cross in the corner.

Sa then forced his way over for try number four before creating the final try of the night for Raguin as Salford ran out of steam to confirm this term's fifth straight defeat.

Salford City Reds coach Shaun McRae said:

"The fans are entitled to be frustrated and agitated, but we are the same. The players are all down.

"I didn't think we were playing particularly well even when we led 12-8 at half-time. And we were never in it second half.

"Clearly we did not compete as well as we did against Leeds and Bradford. And I'll certainly be considering changes for our next match at Harlequins next Sunday."

Dragons coach Kevin Walters said:

"They say a week is a long time in football but our guys were pumping to get over that embarrassment.

"We reacted well after the Wigan defeat. I was always hopeful of a good reaction to that loss and that's what we got.

"I feel for Shaun and Salford but I'm going to be greedy and take the two points."

Salford City Reds: Fitzpatrick, Broughton, Henry, Talau, Gibson, Ratchford, Holdsworth, Boyle, Alker, Parker, Sibbit, Adamson, Swain.
Replacements: Leuluai, J Smith, Sidlow, Littler.

Catalans Dragons: Greenshields, Bell, Raguin, Walker, Pelo, Sa, McGuire, Ferriol, Bentley, Carlaw, Gossard, Elima, Johnson, Fakir.
Replacements: Guisset, Martins, Fakir, Mounis.

Attendance: 3,022.

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens).

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