Best result since.....part1

The latest Salford victory against St Helens live on sky sports was a moment that many Salford fans will remember fondly for years to come. But how good was it? Was this performance the best performance by a Salford team in 20 years? 

Through the years Salford have taken part in some dramatic games and in this two part blog we have asked the presenters of the podcast what they rate as their best Salford performance in the last 20 years and if the Saints win betters it?

Rob Parkinson looks back at Salford dramatic attempt at escaping relegation against Warrington back in 2002 and the rebuilding process that took us to the playoffs in 2006.

Salford faced Warrington at Wildespool knowing that only a win would give them chance of avoiding relegation from Super League.

With Wilderspools PA system breaking down before the game the atmosphere in the stadium was amazing. A large Salford following has decended on Warrington in the hope that a win against the Wolves would take them off the bottom with one game to go. 

 Salford started well with a try from Jason Nicol who bounced his way over out wide. Alan Hunte extended salfords lead with a smart finish to give Salford a 2-10 lead at half time.
With Warrington pushing Salford to get back in the game a 100m break away try by Alan Hunte sent Salfords traveling fans wild with excitement.

With time running out  Greg Ebrill crashed over under the posts to secure victory to give fans hope of a final day relegation escape act

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Even though ultimately the 2002 season would end in relegation the game against Warrington showed me at the time that under immense  pressure Salford could perform.

The intensity of the defence in such a important game was outstanding with Salford only missing 12 tackes all night  (a super league record) and even after all that work in defence they showed they had when it matted the strength, power and pure "will to win" on the day to put in a 80 minute performance to secure the points needed.

"Looking at the squad of 2016 it seems to me that Salford are trying to create a Karl Harrison type team to try and recreate the success of 2006."  

Robert Parkinson

From 2002 to 2006 Karl Harrison built a successful playoff Salford team. Known for their fitness levels, their willingness to out enthuse their opponents and having a that bit of class around the half backs to make difference in any game. As a unit the most consistant Salford team I've witnessed.

 Looking at the squad of 2016 it seems to me that Salford are trying to create a Karl Harrison type team to try and recreate the success of 2006.

The team of 2006 had Andrew Dunnerman and Luke Robinson who were our creative players. Can Robert Lui and Michael Dobson produce the same kind of magic this season? There is still a long way to go but signs are good.

The Forward packs are filled with players who  will give 100%. The 2006 team with Andy Coley, Sean Ruggertson , Malcom Alker and Simon Finnigan  in the pack had a mix of hard workers and xfactor which with confindence took us to the next level.
Ben Murdock Massala, Adam Walne, Captain Tommy Lee and Mark Flannigan provide both "biff and graft" which will ask  questons of many opposition packs this season.

The 2006 back division had great try scoring ability. Karl Fitzpatrick was a dynamic fullback,  David Hodgson, Arron Moule, Stuart Littler and Jonny Wilshire all entertained and came up with the tries which gave us our play off spot in 2006.

I am very excited about our 2016 back divison, Justin Carney and Greg Johnson are fantastic try scorers but also are willing to do the hard yards.

 Josh Griffin with Junior Sau add pace and power to the centre positons and with Nial Evalds and Gareth Obrien competing for fullback we have great strength in deph which is needed if a playoff push is to be a successful  one.

The St Helens game was full of attacking rugby and fantastic defence but for me the important aspect was the intensity both in attack in defence. They gave Saints problems with a consistent calculated attacking performance from deep and near to the line as well as a defensive effort intense enough to knock saints off their stride.
Salford produced a 80 minute performance  without a period of time in the game when our intensity dropped which secured the win and has given us fans hope for a successful season in 2016.

Si Hindle looks back at the Victory against Wigan last year on Bank Holiday Monday

Salford took a 12-8 lead into half-time before Jones-Bishop helped his side jump to third in the table with his 60th-minute effort. Salford's last victory over the Warriors was a 16-4 Challenge Cup fifth-

round victory at the Willows all the way back in 2006.

"Superleague has opened its eyes and are now thinking maybe just maybe the sleeping giant has finally heard its alarm" Si hindle

Wigan nearly took an early lead when Larne Patrick picked up the loose ball to score the opening try.

Wigan increased the lead to 8-0 with a Hampshire penalty.

Salford hit back through Michael Dobson and Rangi Chase, and they sent Nial Evalds over the line. Josh Griffin added the conversion before Salford took the lead for the first time with a sensational try from Michael Dobson against his former club after a break from Josh Griffin who added the extras once again.

Ben Jones-Bishop grabbed a superb solo try on the hour to put Salford into a commanding 18-8 lead.  From 45 metres out and burst through two tackles before stepping around the Wigan Fullback Hampshire in impressive fashion to send the Salford fans into a frenzy.

With 15 minutes remaining Hauraki and Bateman were given yellow cards after their first melee, and three minutes later Hampshire put Wigan right back into the encounter with a try and a conversion to make it 18-14.

Salford sealed the win when Michael Dobson's pass sent Nial Evalds over for his second try four minutes from time, with Josh Griffin adding his fourth goal from four attempts.

Looking back on the game against Saints, of course this is one of out best performances in a hell of a long time. But certainly probably the best under the current reign of Doctor Koukash.

First 10 minutes I thought about the game against Wigan in 2015 at the AJ Bell last year when we finished triumphant. Of course the Saints game finished with a BIG score difference and with it only being two games together in a competitive even more impressive. But the similar traits of heart, passion and commitment were there all to see. The difference??? This time it didnt look out of place! It didnt look like a freak result! It looked like PROGRESSION.

Consistency is now key. Last year after the fantastic result against Wigan, we then went on a losing streak that ultimately put is fighting for our lives. Are we different this year? Time will tell. Does it feel different this year? It certainly does with a togetherness for all to see. The BIG difference now? Superleague has opened its eyes and are now thinking maybe just maybe the sleeping giant has finally heard its alarm. Ego's no more, brothers in arms, hearts of lions and loved by the legion of Devils. Nights like Thursday make you remember why you support Salford and why u LOVE Salford.