Salford 12 Leigh 6 Match Report

 

It was a pressure cooker atmosphere at the AJ Bell on Good Friday as Salford squeezed past Leigh. Paul Whiteside takes you through all the action.

After last weeks world wind performance at Hull Salford welcomed Leigh to the AJ Bell stadium. The Centurions were searching for there first win in a competitive match at Salford since a 6-38 victory in September 1983. 

Defences we're definitely on top in the early stages with neither side taking any chances. Ferocious tackling from Lami Tasi, Mark Flanagan and Josh Jones set the tone for a tough afternoon. Leigh's pack were on form as well with ex Red Devil Harrison Hansen putting the hits in. 

The first points of the game come from Gareth O Brien who's penalty goal edged Salford ahead 2-0.

Mid way through the first half came Salford's first real break from Junior Sau. Leigh tracked back and defend their lines. 

Two errors from Justin Carney in quick succession handed Leigh the initiative and from a speculative kick through Salford fail to clean up the danger as Mitch Brown touched down. Young half back Ben Reynolds adds the conversation to put Leigh ahead 2-6.

 

Both sides continue to come up with errors and concede penalties and the weather started to play a part as the rain poured down. Salford finally open Leigh up three minutes before the break after a sublime blind side move finished of by Kris Welham. Michael Dobson failed to convert so the scores are level at 6-6. The errors strike again as Salford knock on deep in there own half on the next set of six. Reynolds attempted a drop goal but it went wide. After a tense first half it's 6-6!

Salford start to control the ball in the openings of the second half. Michael Dobson's kicking game makes it hard for Leigh to get out of there own half. The pressure starts to build when the Red Devil's force a succession of drop outs! Leigh were very resilient and you had to admire there defending. Yet another drop out is forced with just 13 minutes remaining Robert Lui attacks the Leigh line a wonderful pass to O Brien and he does the rest to the delight of the home crowd! Dobson adds the goal 12-6.

 

The next ten minutes is filled with knock ons as both teams fail to make there possession count. Mark Flanagan takes the pressure of with a clever kick which forces yet another drop out. O Brien attempts the drop goal which would kill of Leigh's resistance but it hits the post and is picked up by centurions winger Matty Dawson. 

 

A gritty performance from Salford to come out with the two points. Ian Watson was delighted with the Red Devil's defence. The squad is healthy for the trip to France to face Catalan. Todd Carney could possibly feature after a slight injury kept him out today.

 Salford made it 5 top flight league wins on the trot since 1997 today and will hope to go one better on Monday in Perpignan. 

Pictures by Steve McCormick 

Your listening to this weeks Devil in the Detail podcast all the big news coming from Salford this week as we speak to Lami Tasi, Michael Dobson and Ian Watson about all things Salford Red Devils

super league review

 
It's been another great weekend in Super league, Check out our review of all the action here

 

 

Salford Red Devil's 22 St Helens 14

Salford continued their winning run with a battling display against St Helens.  Salfords 1st half was strong and were rewarded when Craig Kopcjack scored and Salford lead 8-0 at half time.

Saints came back in the 2nd half with a try from Alex Warmsley but a double from Michael Dobson made the game safe for Salford.

 

Leeds Rhino 26 Wigan 18

Leeds Rhinos overcame a spirited Wigan to record another win at Headingley. The highlight for Leeds was Kalum Watkins who was celebrating his 200th career appearance going over for the Rhinos.

 

George Williams scored twice for Wigan but it wasn't enough on the night. Another defeat for Wigan which makes them slip towards mid table in Super league.

 

Castleford 52 Huddersfield 16

Luke Gale and Joel Monaghan both scored hatricks for Castleford to keep them top of the pile

Leading 16-4 at half time Castleford were in contol, Ryan Brierley hit back with a try for the Giants in the 2nd half but a 24 point contribution by Luke Gale gave Castleford the win.

Catalan 18 Wakefield 38

It was a very successful trip to the south of France for Wakefield as a hatrick by ex Red Ben Jones Bishop gave them the two points.

Wakefield were never in danger of losing this game, two tries for Catalan one from Krisnan Inu was the highlight for them but it was Trinity who came away victorious.

 

Leigh Centurions 24 Widnes Vikings 37

Widnes recorded their 1st win of 2017 by beating Leigh.

The Vikings were made to work hard for the win and lead 18-12 at half time.

A hatrick for Danny Craven was enough for the Vikings after a spirited performance and a try from Danny Tickle was as good as it got for Leigh.

 

Warrington 22 Hull 22

Both sides will look back at this game as one they should have won.  Hull lead 20-8 at half time with a try from Albert Kelly but back came Warrington.

A Marty Russell hatrick saved Warrington and even tho both sides tried to win the game at the end a draw was a fair result. Ex Red Mark Sneyd kicked 5 goals.

Your listening to this weeks Devil in the Detail podcast We talk about New contracts announcement. We interviewed Chris Welham and Greg Johnson and talk about the positive stuff happening in the world of Salford Red Devil's.

super league review

What a weekend  of Super league we have witnessed. Read our report looking back at the other games in Super league this week.

 

Leigh Centrurians 22 Warrington 8

Leigh continued their impressive start to their Super League season at the expense of a stuttering Warrington side.

Ex Red Gaz Hock scored a brace eather side of half time a try by Warringtons Tom Lineman gave the Wolves hope but Leigh saw off the danger rooting Warrington to the bottom of the Super League table.

 

Leeds 38 Wakefield 14

Leeds secured another win this time against Wakefield to keep their impressive form going.

Two try's by Salford Lad Calum Watkins in the 1st half gave Leeds breathing space at half time 20 points to 4. Wakefield hit back in the 2nd half with tries from Fifita and Johnstone but Leeds did enough to secure the win.

 

 

Hull FC 32 Widnes 12

Hull secured a win against Widnes to heap more pressure on Salford Lad and Widnes Coach Dennis Betts. 

Danny Houghton lead the line well and Widnes were unable to deal with Hull FCs pace and power all night. Two tries from Albert Kelly the highlight for Hull.

It's 4 defeats in 5 games for Widnes who now must be feeling the pressure of super league in 2017.

 

Catalan Dragons 24 St Helens 28

St Helens secured the points in the south of France to ease the pressure on their Coach Kieron Cunningham.

Adam Swift, Mark Percival, Ryan Morgan and Adam Walker tries put Saints 22-18 up at the break, with Thomas Bosc, Julian Bousquet and Iain Thornley responding in a fierce, open contest.

A moment of magic by ex Red Theo Fages offloading to Jack Owens to score swung the game St Helens way.

 

Wigan Warriors 16 Huddersfield 16

Wigan were held to a draw by a spirited Huddersfield side at the DW stadium.

Jemaine McGillvary opened the scoring for the Giants with Morgan Escale for Wigan scoring a try and being inspirational throughout.

Danny Brough thought he had kicked the Giants to victory but a late try by Anthony Gelling made the scores level and the points were shared.

Your listening to this weeks Devil in the Details,  this week we have update from the latest fans forum with CEO Ian Blease,, Phil Cooper and Ex Salford player Paul Highton talk about the new magic weekend shirt and State of mind project designed to help ex players and people in the local community and Ian Watson is in Coaches corner to talk us through the defeat against Wakefield.