Salford Red Devils v Castleford Tigers Match report DITD

Another week has raced by in the World of Rugby League and yet again the Super League table is more compact than ever. Most teams have a couple of wins separating them from a playoff spot or a relegation battle.

London Broncos made it three wins on the spin last night in a classic match against Hull kr. The Robins are now bottom of the table.

St. Helens continue to set the pace at the top playing some fantastic rugby and look like they will take some stopping.

Salford are just four points above bottom place but a win tonight would see them into the playoff places. Tonight was probably the biggest game so far this season for The Red Devils who were looking to make it back to back wins after last Sunday’s much improved performance against Wakefield.

George Griffin missed out through injury with Ryan Lannon starting in the second row following his loan move from Hull kr.

Both sides traded sets early on with Salford matching Castleford’s big aggressive pack. The Red Devils were beginning to dominate with Jackson Hastings and Robert Lui working behind the platform laid by their pack.

Gil Dudson was unstoppable at times running his blood to water.

Good work from centre Krisnan Inu set up Niall Evalds to score the opening try of the match. The Salford fullback in the right place at the right time as usual.

Shortly after The Red Devils doubled their lead when Hastings sent Lee Mossop crashing over off a superbly timed pass.

Despite Salford’s dominance, individual errors kept Castleford in the hunt. Jake Bibby’s error deep in his own half gifted The Tigers good field position and a try followed from Daniel Smith.

Hastings hard work was rewarded with a try when the Australian showed wonderful determination to smash his way through the Castleford defence leaving Liam Watts in a heap. Hastings copped a high shot for his troubles but the sheer determination of the man continues to delight the Salford supporters.

It wasn’t the best half of rugby league for Salford’s wingers Derrell Olpherts and Jake Bibby. Poor ball handling a knocks on led to another try for the visitors. Greg Minikin touching down to reduce the deficit 18-10 three minutes from the break.

To round off the first half a real bizarre patch of play unfolded. As the hooter sounded Salford decided to take the two points on offer from a penalty they were awarded. Inu’s goal kick attempt hit the post with The Tigers regathering possession. A fumble from the visitors handed the ball back to Salford and surely they would take the tackle? Instead The Red Devils played panic rugby as if they were chasing the game. A real comedy of errors followed which led to a Castleford try from Cheyse Blair. A passage of play that would go down well on A Question Of Sports ‘what happened next’ round!

If Salford ever needed a forty minute performance now was the time. Ian Watson’s men produced exactly that, a half of grit, determination, courageous defence and superb game management.

Robert Lui came close to extending Salford’s lead but was tackled just short.

It wasn’t until the hour mark that the next points were scored. Joey Lussick with a thrilling break, then on the next play neat work from Kris Welham put Olpherts over for a vital try. Inu’s conversion extended the lead to 24-16 and Salford were certainly good value for it.

Castleford continued to press throwing a lot in attack but Salford’s resilience was admirable. The whole team worked for each other desperately covering and scrambling in defence.

Salford were seeking a knock out punch as the clock counted down. It never quite came but a monumental second half effort in defence had won a huge two competition points.

Inu landed a penalty goal as the hooter sounded for full time.

Salford coach Ian Watson was in good spirits after the game and rightly so.

His side move into fifth position with a trip to sixth place Wigan next Friday.

Watson saluted man of the match Gil Dudson and was very pleased with Ryan Lannon on his return to Salford.

The Red Devils are building momentum and growing in confidence at a crucial time in the season.

It’s all to play for in Super League for every single club. Who knows how far this Salford side can go in 2019! One things for sure it’s going to be an exciting journey to find out.

Final score Salford 26 Castleford 16.

Paul Whiteside.

Pictures by Steve McCormick 

Salford Red Devils v Wakefield Match report

After yesterday’s surprise results in Super League just six points separated the play off positions and bottom place. Danny Ward’s London Broncos were superb to thump Catalans in Perpignan and new Hull Kingston Rovers boss Tony Smith shocked his old club Warrington. This heaped even more pressure on Salford and Wakefield with both sides desperate not to get sucked in to the relegation dog fight.

The Red Devils and Trinity had lost their last four matches. Something had to give today. Salford coach Ian Watson made some changes, Daniel Murray and Adam Walker missed out. Lee Mossop returned along with Mark Flanagan, Logan Tomkins started at hooker. Ken Sio injured last week at Hull was replaced by Derrell Olpherts.

Salford scored the games first points after Robert Lui set up Jake Bibby with a super pass to allow the winger to squeeze in at the corner.

Tensions were high and tempers flared in the opening stages with the referee struggling to control the two sides.

Jacob Miller levelled the scores after Bibby failed to deal with a high kick. Danny Brough edged Trinity ahead with the conversion 4-6.

The visitors lead didn’t last long, Lui’s clever reverse kick found Niall Evalds who raced in to score. Salford made it back to back tries when the re start was kicked out on the full. Lui and Evalds combined to put Bibby in again.

The introduction of Joey Lussick offered a new attacking dimension for Ian Watson’s side and the young Australian hooker scored one of his trade mark tries before the break to give Salford a commanding 20-6 lead.

A poor start to the second half allowed Trinity to get their foot in the door. 

The Red Devils were half asleep as the kick off was allowed to go over the dead ball line. Wakefield built pressure with three sets camped on Salford’s line.

Ben Jones Bishop grabbed the try 20-12.

At times Lui looked unplayable with his creative edge and was constant attacking threat. Salford’s number six was rewarded with a try after he followed up his own kick.

Wakefield wouldn’t go away and hit back through Millers second try. A mistake at the back from Evalds allowing a simple score for the Wakefield stand off.

Holding a ten point advantage going in to the final quarter nerves were eased when Jackson Hastings set up Kris Welham with a delightful kick which completely fooled The Trinity defence.

Jones Bishop grabbed his second try twelve minutes from time but that was as good as it got for Wakefield.

Salford finished strongly with Lui provider again this time throwing an outrageous dummy before setting up Evalds for his second try and that try was his 100th career try. 

Shortly after Josh Jones and Hastings linked up well to send Evalds over for his hat trick. A wonderful support player who always seems to be there backing up bagging a well deserved treble to cap off a much needed victory.

A relieved Salford coach Ian Watson was in positive mood after the match.

“ I thought we controlled the whole tempo of the game on the front foot.

We needed a real focus on our start to the game and we made a few changes to get that.”

One blow for Salford was an injury to George Griffin. The all action second row man had is arm in a sling and may have torn a bicep.

The Red Devil’s leap frogged Wigan and Wakefield to go sixth in the table. 

Victory at home to Castleford next Friday will see Salford move in to fifth place. That is a game not to be missed and gets under way at The AJ Bell Stadium At 7:45pm

Final score Salford 44 Wakefield 20.

Paul Whiteside.

Pictures by Steve McCormick 

Salford Red Devils v Leeds big match preview DITD

Salford v Leeds Match Preview.

Speaking after last Saturday’s win at London, Salford coach Ian Watson stated “we owe them one” when referring to Friday’s clash with Leeds. The two sides have met 22 times in the summer era at Salford with Leeds claiming 20 victories to The Red Devils 2. When the two sides met at The AJ Bell Stadium earlier this season The struggling Rhinos clicked into gear blowing Salford away 14-46 on a disappointing afternoon.

Under Coach David Furner Leeds have struggled to find consistency with just four wins so far leaving them in 10th place. Last weekend a healthy lead at home to fellow strugglers Hull Kingston Rovers was almost blown but the Rhinos frantically held on to clinch a 28-24 victory.

Salford will be looking to kick start their home form. With just one victory at home this season Watson and his players are desperate to impress.

Leeds definitely have some talented players in the ranks but for one reason or another haven’t really got going yet in 2019.

This could be a massive psychological hurdle for Salford to get over. Over the years The Loiners have been a huge thorn in the side at the Willows, Headingley, in Cup ties, finals and more recently they have an excellent record at The AJ Bell Stadium. 

With some huge games coming up in the month of May this one could really build some momentum particularly after a very good Easter and a real solid display at London last Saturday.

Watson is looking up the table not down and two points against Leeds keeps Salford in touch with the Super League top five.

Memorable results From Yesteryear.

Over the years their have been some thrilling encounters between the two sides. A Wednesday night fixture on bonfire night in 1958, a bitter rivalry in the 1970s, Leeds having the upper hand since the 80s and who could forget last season’s clash when Jackson Hastings made his Salford debut.

Salford 17 Leeds 22  5th November 1958 played under floodlights at 

Old Trafford.

Salford 27 Leeds 2   17th September 1971.

Salford 61 Leeds 13  17th March 1974.

Salford 7 Leeds 5   20th February 1976.

Salford 24 Leeds 7  21st September 1979.

Salford 16 Leeds 22   29th September 1985.

Salford 30 Leeds 38  12th May 1999

Salford 18 Leeds 19    16th June 2006

Salford 24 Leeds 30   11th September 2009

Salford 14 Leeds 10    9th April 2016.

Salford 38 Leeds 22   27th July 2018.

A match to remember Salford 61 Leeds 13  17th March 1974.

Rewind to just over forty five years ago and the Leeds hoodoo was just as evident as it is now. In the previous season of 1972/73 Leeds had done the league double over Salford and when the two sides had met in a classic match at Fartown in The John Player Trophy final the Loiners yet again had the edge.

Despite a fantastic effort, Colin Dixon’s try and David Watkins two conversions left Salford just short going down 12-7.

When the two sides met at The Willows on St Patrick’s day in 1974 Leeds had already broken Salford hearts knocking us out of the John player Trophy and the Challenge cup. The Challenge cup tie at Headingley had taken place a few weeks earlier in February. Salford were playing some fantastic rugby and the supporters were starting to believe that exciting times weren’t far off. 56 coaches left The Willows bound for Yorkshire. It wasn’t to be with Leeds clinging on for a 10-6 win.

To say Salford owed Leeds one was probably an understatement. A bitter rivalry had developed between the two sides and this particular Sunday afternoon in 1974 was definitely one to remember.

With the genius and creativity of Kenny Gill, the fantastic kicking of David Watkins, the leadership of captain courageous Chris Hesketh, the speed and strength of Colin Dixon the points kept coming much to the delight of the home crowd. Salford’s side had quality in every position, Paul Charlton one of the fittest players to grace the sport. A tremendously brave defender and sublime in attack. Ellis Devlin a hooker well ahead of his time and not to forget a back line that oozed pace and a slickness that many supporters admired.

Tries from Watkins 2, Devlin 2, Maurice Richards 2, Dixon 2, Charlton 2, Hesketh, Keith Fielding and Kenny Gill blew Leeds apart.

It’s fair to say this victory was a catalyst to drive Salford on for the remaining four weeks of the season where the fixtures came thick and fast. 

After victory at Wigan 12-21 Salford were crowned Champions of 73/74!

They played for both.

Here are a few players to wear the red of Salford and the blue and amber of Leeds.

Luke Burgess, Joel Moon, Mark Brooke-Cowden, Andrew Duneman, Ensene Famailo, Phil Ford, Ashley Gibson, Phil Hassan, Weller Hauraki, Ben Jones Bishop, Andy Kirk, Francis Maloney, Richie Myler and David Young.

Friday’s match.

Salford will be looking to get out of the blocks early on Friday night. A good start is essential. Despite Leeds poor start to the season they have players who can cause damage and some exciting youngsters in their ranks.

Adam Cuthbertson is a strong forward who has one of the best off loads in the Super League. Hookers Brad Dwyer and Matt Parcell have impressed in recent weeks but the Rhinos conundrum remains their half back pairing. Last time out against Hull Kingston Rovers Tui Lolohea partnered Richie Myler. Lolohea has received plenty of criticism this season so the question is will coach David Furner keep faith with the pair on Friday.

 

Young fullback Jack Walker had a fantastic game when the two sides met earlier in the year and is as brave as they come. 

Jackson Hastings and Robert Lui will be looking to dominate for Salford and a young mobile pack has really impressed over the Easter fixtures. Daniel Murray continues to grow in confidence and is blossoming in to a very accomplished player. The all action Joey Lussick has been amongst the tries three games running and Josh Jones is one of the most consistent performers at the club.

Adam Walker failed a late fitness test last Saturday at London. His return would be a timely one, his size and aggression would certainly pose Leeds a big threat. 

This promises to be a fascinating encounter and one I am really excited for.

The race for the top five in 2019 is wide open and with a little consistency this Salford side is capable of upsetting the odds.

Safe travels and enjoy the game everyone.

Paul Whiteside.

Pictures by Steve McCormick