Salford v Wigan Match report

All the talk leading up to the match was about how well Wigan were playing and rightly so. The Warriors opened the scoring with a penalty goal from Chris Hankinson after five minutes.

The Red Devils struggled to get over the half way line in the early stages and had plenty of defensive work to do.

Tui Lolohea levelled the scores with a penalty goal but when Ken Sio knocked on from the kick off Salford we’re back under the cosh. Wigan profited from the set scrum as Jackson Hastings dropped his shoulder to score a fine try against his former club.

A clever kick through from Kevin Brown and a nice break from Niall Evalds showed attacking promise but Salford seemed to be unable to build significant pressure. In the closing stages of the half Sam Powell scored a real sucker punch try as a Salford attack collapsed at one end leaving the Wigan hooker to pinch a simple try at the other end. Hankinson missed a penalty goal on the half time hooter to leave the visitors 2-14 up at the break and looking fairly comfortable.

Sebastine Ikahihifo knocked on ten yards from his own line in the first set of the second half. Salford battened down the hatches to defend their line frantically.

It needed something special to put some life back into the game. Niall Evalds was the man to provide it. The hot stepping fullback showed some individual brilliance to fool the Wigan defence. Lolohea’s conversion reduced the deficit to 8-14 with just over twenty minutes left.

The Warriors began to panic, they seemed shell shocked at Salford’s spirt. Ian Watson’s men had renewed confidence, they were fighting for each other in what was a monumental effort.

Looking to kill off Salford’s resistance the Warriors went on the attack. A dangerous kick through was picked up clean by Evalds close to his own line. He shot through the gap and went the full length of the field much to the delight of the home supporters. Lolohea levelled the scores at 14-14 with just over ten minutes remaining.

Another thrilling Salford break was cut short by referee James Child who adjudged a pass to be forward. By now it was end to end action and one tremendous contest. Live wire Rhys Williams made another swashbuckling break with his long hair flying in the breeze. From close range their was no stopping Kevin Brown who crashed over to raise the roof on the AJ Bell Stadium. Lolohea missed the goal but Salford hit the front for the first time in the match 18-14. A remarkable turn around!

Wigan came out swinging though in the final minutes and forced a drop out.

Former Warriors centre Dan Sarginson who had been sensational all night came up with the tackle of the match. An absolute bell ringer to force a knock on. A huge roar erupted around the ground. Salford battled out the final minute to take a famous victory and a thoroughly deserved one.

Ian Watson remained grounded after the match but the glint was back in his eye. “It’s got to prove a point this, you play the way you train and your a good team. We’ve got to believe and the proof will no be in the pudding going forward. It’s great getting up for a game against Wigan but we’ve got to back this up.” Watson praised the efforts of Niall Evalds and Dan Sarginson who both put in fantastic performances. After a disappointing few weeks the Salford supporters went home delighted on a famous night for the whole club.

Salford 18 Wigan 14.

Paul Whiteside.

Pictures by Steve McCormick 

Salford v Wigan Big match preview

Salford v Wigan. 

Another tough match ended in defeat last Saturday but Ian Watson will take plenty of positives out of the defeat In Perpignan. 

In a first half with very little chances Salford failed to post points and slipped to an 18-0 deficit. The Dragons were clinical, organised and looked a very capable team. A spirited second half from the Red Devils left the game in the balance with six minutes to go at 20-14. Leaving themselves to much to do in the end a 30-14 defeat perhaps flattered the French side slightly. Niall Evalds was again a shining light for Salford in both attack and defence. Niall looked dangerous every time he was in possession and as usual he was as safe as houses at the back. Elliot Kear made his debut and had a daunting task facing up to Israel Falou. The Welshman had a terrific match containing the huge Australian centre for the majority of the evening. Kear ran the ball well and along with Rhys Williams made a real good impression.

Wigan are the team of the moment in the Super League. With five wins from six matches the Warriors sit top of the early League table. They appear to have their mojo back, playing an exciting brand of rugby in recent weeks. Four excellent performances at home to Toronto, Hull, Hull kr and away at Huddersfield will leave Adrian Lam’s side in a very confident mood. 

Over recent seasons many pundits and supporters have questioned Wigan’s style of play. That ability to grind teams down in a robotic way can be a good thing and get results, however with players like Jackson Hastings and Bevan French the Warriors have that bit of flair to accompany what looks a very exciting back line.

Super League Home record. 

Salford 4

Draws 0

Wigan 19

1997 Salford 14 Wigan 4

1998 Salford 2 Wigan 34

1999 Salford 6 Wigan 46

2000 Salford 18 Wigan 30

2001 Salford 31 Wigan 30

2002 Salford 24 Wigan 46

2004 Salford 16 Wigan 32

2005 Salford 20 Wigan 34

2006 Salford 28 Wigan 10

2007 Salford 6 Wigan 25

2007 Salford 24 Wigan 50

2009 Salford 12 Wigan 38

2010 Salford 4 Wigan 18

2011 Salford 16 Wigan 32

2012 Salford 20 Wigan 40

2013 Salford 0 Wigan 42

2014 Salford 4 Wigan 25

2015 Salford 24 Wigan 18

2016 Salford 20 Wigan 23

2017 Salford 16 Wigan 26

2018 Salford 12 Wigan 40

2019 Salford 22 Wigan 30

2019 Salford 26 Wigan 30

They played for both.

Over the years there have been plenty of players who’ve been at both clubs at some point in their career. Here are a few of them,

Mal Aspey, Neil Baynes, Steve Blakeley, Gavin Clinch, Andy Coley, Michael Dobson, Mark Flanagan, Martin Gleeson, Sean Gleeson, Wayne Godwin, Bobbie Goulding, Andy Gregory, Steve Hampson, Ged Byrne, Paul O Neil,

Harrison Hansen, Gareth Hock, Nathan Mcavoy, Lee Mossop, Jack Murphy, David Myers, Martin Offiah, Sam Panapa, John Pendlebury, Luke Robinson,

Tim Smith, David Stephenson, Trevor Stockey, Ged Stazicker, Scott Taylor, Logan Tomkins, Colin Whitfield, Stephen Wild and Phil Ford.

Jackson Hastings, Kevin Brown, Dan Sarginson, James Greenwood and Jake Bibby can now be added to that list to. 

A match to remember  Friday 25th April 1997.

Salford Reds 14 Wigan Warriors 4.

As the 1980s came to a close Wigan were the leading lights in English rugby league. The Challenge Cup dominance continued in to the 1990s and at times they seemed invincible. That cup run came to an end at The Willows in 1996 but today we’re going to look back at the Super League clash from 1997 at Salford.

After two fantastic seasons outside the top flight Salford Reds were promoted to the Super League. It was a fantastic start with victories in our first five games. After the famous cup win this was Wigan’s first visit back to The Willows 14 months later. Reds stand off, former Wigan player Steve Blakeley was inspirational along with half back partner Ian Watson.

Salford Captain Blakeley had been sold by Wigan four years earlier for a bargain fee of £28,000. Another former Wigan legend Andy Gregory made the Warriors suffer as Salford chalked up there 17th successive home win. The home sides work rate and support play was phenomenal with the visitors breaching the water tight defence once all night. The 34 year old David Hulme took the man of the match award.

The Reds playing their best rugby of the season took the lead in the 9th minute when Nathan Mcavoy sent Darren Rogers in at the corner. Daryl Cardiss grabbed a try to put Wigan back in the game. Salford got a crucial try two minutes after the break Blakeley’s grubber kick was hacked on by another ex-Wigan man Scott Naylor and a young fresh faced Ian Watson followed up to score. Blakeley with four goals and a hand in both tries played a huge part in a special night under the lights at The Willows.

Salford came out winners 14-4. We got the double over Wigan in 1997 with an excellent 14-21 victory at Central Park later in the year. When you look back at the job Andy Gregory did at Salford it really is heart warming. Some fantastic wins over some of the best sides around at the time. Friday 25th April 1997 is a night I’ll certainly never forget.

Watching Salford Reds in the mid 90s was pretty special. The club was on the up, a really exciting era in our history.

Referee, Russell Smith

Attendance, 6,626.

Friday’s match .

Salford haven’t been far off the last four matches but naturally supporters have become frustrated. This match is another huge test as Wigan have plenty of strike power having scored 130 points in their last four games. Defence is likely to hold the key to the outcome on Friday. In Tui Lolohea and Kevin Brown Salford have two very capable half backs. We saw one or two flashes last weekend but both players will be looking for a dominant performance, particularly with Jackson Hastings playing the leading roll for the Warriors.

Hastings orchestrated Salford brilliantly last season but if anyone knows how to shut his threat down it’s Watson and his former team mates. 

Another player returning to the AJ Bell Stadium will be Jake Bibby. The very likeable three quarter has made an excellent start to life with his home town club and he will be one to keep an eye on. Wigan have a very physical and powerful pack, Salford’s forwards will have to be on their game to match them. In the recent home games against Leeds and Wakefield the Red Devils we’re busted down the middle far to easy. This is the arm wrestle you have to compete in to stay in the contest. Oliver Partington and Morgan Smithies are two of the exciting young forwards in the Wigan pack. Both extremely tough competitors with good engines who can play big minutes. One player in tremendous form is Liam Farrell. The back rower will be 30 this summer and already has well over 250 appearances under his belt. 

Victories over Wigan have been quite rare in the summer era and on current form this looks a big ask. During his time at Salford Ian Watson has masterminded some outstanding wins and performances. The last time these two sides met was one of those occasions that the Red Devils supporters will remember and talk about for years to come. 

With the right attitude and maybe a slice of good fortune along the way Friday night might be a lot closer than many are predicting.

The action gets under way at 7:45pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match everyone. 

Paul Whiteside

Pictures by Steve McCormick 

Catalan v Salford Match Report

After three successive defeats a trip to the South of France was Salford’s next mission of 2020. The Dragons were starting to find their feet after an excellent away at Hull Last weekend. Despite playing two games less than Salford, Catalans had scored twenty points more than the Red Devils coming in to this fixture.

Salford welcomed back half back Kevin Brown from a two match suspension. Brown’s leadership and organisational skills had certainly been missed over the past fortnight.

After the miserable weather in North West England recently, fine and dry conditions awaited both sides at the kick off. A blustery wind swirled around the Gilbert Brutus Stadium.

Elliot Kear came in to the Red Devils starting line up for the injured Dan Sarginson. Kear joined fellow Welshman Rhys Williams on the left wing.

Tyrone McCarthy returned on the substitute bench.

The Dragons started the game on the front foot. With three successive sets of six on the Salford line the visitors resistance was broken when Michael Mcllorum darted over time score from dummy half.

Salford struggling for field position went further behind in the seventeenth minute, James Maloney kicked a penalty 8-0.

Man of the moment Maloney then created a two nice tries for Matt Whitley from a lovely kick through in to space and a high kick close to the try line. 18-0.

Salford needed a boost in the second half after failing to create anything of substance in the first half.

Niall Evalds coasted through the gap to score a fine try. Sam Tomkins was guilty of a very cynical trip on Evalds as he scored and was sent to the sin bin.

Salford’s star fullback then created a try for a Ken Sio. Sio had to finish it though and he did in some style diving over acrobatically. 18-10.

Maloney nervously nailed a penalty goal to extend the Dragons lead. By this time the French side knew they were in a game as Salford began to fight fire with fire.

A booming Joey Lussick forty twenty attempt was desperately stopped by Tomkins but he spilled the ball. Sio was on hand to scoop up the gift to touch down. Tui Lolohea failed to convert to leave the Red Devils six points adrift going into the final ten minutes.

Catalans finished the stronger as speedster Lewis Tierney broke through. The Salford cover defence was excellent but they were now stretched and Fouad Yaha scored moments later.

Elliot Kear and Rhys Williams had worked tremendously hard all night in attack and defence. They had limited Israel Falou’s threat but the Australian had the final say with a fantastic offload to put Tierney over to round off the scoring.

Salford coach Ian Watson remained upbeat after the match and pleased with the effort and endeavour of his team.

Catalans 30 Salford 14.

Report by Paul Whiteside

Pictures by Steve McCormick 

Catalan v Salford Big Match preview

After three home defeats on the trot a trip to France looks another tricky assignment for Salford. While a break from the miserable weather in England may seem appealing the prospect of a match with Catalans looks quite a daunting prospect. The Dragons have hit a patch of good form in recent weeks. A thrilling victory in Hull last weekend 29-34 has sent a warning to the Super League. They have plenty of quality players in their squad and if things come together they will have a big say on matters in 2020. 

Salford won this fixture 0-46 last season. At this moment in time a similar score line looks unlikely. The Red Devils look low on confidence. Although the last three matches have been fairly close contests their does seem to be something lacking. That determination in defence and belief from last season isn’t quite their. 

Coach Ian Watson was bitterly disappointed after Sunday’s match against Wakefield. He questioned the attitude and enthusiasm of his players. Perhaps some are still living on past reputation and the feel good factor of 2019.

Obviously you’ve got to score points to win Rugby League matches and on average you need eighteen to be in any game. For Salford at the moment though it’s hard work that will get the team moving in the right direction. Back to basics, not clocking off around the ruck, good marker defence and first contact in the tackle needs to be much tougher. We scored three excellent tries last weekend and I believe that this team will get better the more they play together. 

Where does confidence go and where does it come from in the first place? If teams could bottle it up and give it the players it would surely be priceless. 

Salford still have plenty of the personnel that did so well last season. One win can turn everything around.

Expectations were always going to be high after the 2019 season but it’s times like these where everyone has to pull together. This is when the team needs its supporters to stay positive. I am confident as a Salford supporter that we can turn things around. Their is still an awful lot of Rugby League to come this season with many twists and turns along the way. 

Super League Away record.

Catalans 9

Draws 1

Salford 4

2006 Catalans 22 Salford 28

2006 Catalans 26 Salford 6

2007 Catalans 66 Salford 6

2009 Catalans 38 Salford 6

2010 Catalans 14 Salford 22

2011 Catalans 10 Salford 22

2012 Catalans 40 Salford 18

2013 Catalans 40 Salford 6

2014 Catalans 37 Salford 24

2015 Catalans 40 Salford 40

2016 Catalans 42 Salford 32

2017 Catalans 38 Salford 6

2018 Catalans 44 Salford 10

2019 Catalans 0   Salford 46

They played for both.

Despite Catalan Dragons short existence there are a number of players who’ve played for both clubs including Jodie Broughton, Luke Burgess, Iain Thornley, David Berthezene, Todd Carney, Michael Dobson and Richie Myler.

A match to remember Saturday 25th March 2006.

Catalans 22 Salford City Reds 28.

More than 500 Salford supporters took the opportunity to see the Reds play abroad for the first time in 10 years.

And they were treated to a superb see-saw contest which was jam-packed with turning points and controversial refereeing decisions.

An excellent start to the 2006 campaign had seen Salford playing some fantastic rugby built on the solid foundations of there hard working mean defence. There was a steel about Karl Harrison’s boys. Something that had been gradually built up, 2003 saw promotion after a superb and near faultless season in the National League one, 2004 and 2005 were all about stability. One of the key ingredients to the side of 2006 was the acquisition of Andrew Dunemann. The clever Australian a brilliant organiser on the pitch who was bang in form for this trip to the South of France.

Most teams would have buckled after conceding 16 points without reply in the lion’s den that is the Aime Giral stadium.

Karl Harrison’s side we’re well drilled, very determined in defence and also had plenty of attacking panache. 

The Reds looked dead on their feet in the second half and they were unable to rotate players from the bench due to a host of injury problems.

Full back Karl Fitzpatrick was the hero of the hour as far as Salford fans were concerned.

He scored a brilliant first half brace of tries and prevented Catalans from pinching a point at the death with a sensational try-saving tackle on Bruno Verges.

Salford’s other tries came from Aaron Moule 2, Andy Coley and Simon Finnigan.

The only real concern was the goal kicking with just two conversions from six attempts between David Hodgson and Luke Robinson.

The Reds were flying high in the league after this result with five wins from there opening seven matches. It’s fair to say the atmosphere in Perpignan after the game was tremendous. The travelling Salford supporters enjoying a special time and a team to be proud of.

A final league position of 5th place in 2006 was our best since our 4th place in 1979/80 season.

Catalans Dragons: Bosc, Murphy, Wilson, Hughes, Verges, Rudder, Dobson, Chan, Rinaldi, Guisset, Fakir, Hindmarsh, Mounis.

Subs; Beattie, Berthezene, Fellous, Teixido.

Salford: Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, Littler, Moule, Wilshere, Dunemann, Robinson, Baldwin, Alker, Highton, Coley, Brocklehurst, Finnigan. 

Subs; Langi,Haggerty, Clough, Clayton.

Att: 6,547

Ref: P Bentham (Warrington). 

Saturday’s match .

After that glorious Wembley win against Warrington in 2018 Catalans flattered to deceive last season and to put it bluntly they under achieved. The Dragons finished 7th in the League four points behind the Playoffs. A 51-8 defeat at Hull in the Challenge cup was quite a weak defence of the trophy.

Coach Steve McNamara has been busy on the recruitment front for this season. James Maloney has joined for Penrith Panthers. The Australian half back has been a revelation in the NRL over the last ten years. His quality has earned him international honours with the Kangaroos and also State of Origin call ups for New South Wales. 

Tom Davies has arrived from Wigan. The young winger had an excellent try record with the Warriors. Another former Wigan player Joel Tomkins has joined his brother Sam at the Dragons. A tall powerful forward who can also fill in at centre. Josh Drinkwater has also returned after spending last year with Hull Kingston Rovers. Josh was part of the Catalans side that lifted the Challenge cup in 2018.

Perhaps the most high profile signing in Rugby League in recent times is that of Israel Folau. Whatever your opinion is of him their is no doubt about the class this man possesses on the pitch. A sensational try scorer in Australia for Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos, he has spent the best part of the last decade in Rugby Union. In the other code he has scored tries for fun both domestically and on the international stage. If Folau can produce this form in Super League he will be one to watch this season. 

With all the above mentioned and the rest of the quality players the Dragons have at their disposal Salford could have quite a task on this Saturday. 

One boost for Ian Watson is the availability of experienced half back Kevin Brown. Watson will be looking for a big display from his pack who got seriously out muscled and out gunned last weekend against Wakefield. The Dragons have plenty of size in their pack and if your not on your game they can steam roller teams down the middle. 

One player who has stood out for me in recent weeks is Mark Flanagan. At 32 Mark is one of the senior players in the squad. As the season kicked off he looked to have lost his place in the side but in recent weeks he’s played his way back in. Flash worked really hard last Sunday and coming off the bench his influence was a positive one. An accomplished defender with the ability to throw out try scoring passes Salford need him on the pitch doing what he does best. 

As we await Watson’s squad selection will their be any changes? This was certainly mentioned in my interview with him post match on Sunday. 

Safe travels and enjoy the match everyone. 

Paul Whiteside

Pictures by Mike Inkley