Salford returned to the AJ Bell Stadium for the first time in three weeks! It had been 8 years since the last fixture with Featherstone Rovers in the 2008 which finished 30-30 at Post Office Road! The Rovers were still without a point in the qualifiers after being edged out 11-10 at Batley last weekend! It was a perfect start for the visitors moving the ball superbly on the opening set of the match. Nice work from Anthony Thackery sending prop Jordan Baldwinson over for the opening try. Kyle Briggs adds the goal 0-6!
Misi Taulapapa spills the ball from the kick off to invite Salford pressure. The Red Devils take advantage as Weller Hauraki roars over Gareth O Brien kicks the goal to level the score 6-6. Rovers kick off is poor and Michael Dobson takes it out on the full to grab a penalty. The pressure tells again as Junior Sau claims a kick out wide to score in the corner. O Brien kicks a tough one 12-6.
Josh Jones is next to touch down showing real strength and desire to muscle his way over. O Brien misses the conversation 16-6. Salford are turning up the heat and Junior Sau. Quick hands out wide to Daniel Vidot who finishes well to get down low at the corner flag
. O Brien misses off the touch line but Salford are in control 20-6.
Rovers are feeling the pressure and knock on near there own line. Sau grabs his second try which o Brien converts 26-6. Featherstone finally get some field position and they make it
count with a nice short kick which Jack Ormondroyd dives on to score. Briggs adds the goal 26-12. Salford then score the try of the half with a lovely move, O Briens ball out the back to Evalds is sublime and he races away with a brilliant finish. O Brien kicks well 32-12. Rovers are struggling with the pace of the game and another thrilling break follows from Josh Griffin who runs 30 yards side ways, throws a basket ball pass to Ben Murdoch Masila, his hand off is to much for rovers half back Thackery and the big man is over. O Brien kicks the goal 38-12 with 5 first half minutes remaining. There's just enough time for the busy Logan Tomkins to scoot over from dummy half o Brien kicks again to send the rampant Red Devils in at half time 44-12.
It's a poor start to the second half with Salford knocking on first set of 6. More mistakes and a few soft penalties give Rovers a chance. Josh Walters gets the try Briggs can't convert 44-16. Salford then cut loose with three tries in 8 minutes. Olsi Krasniqi gets the first before Haurakis second and then Dobson scores! All goaled by O Brien. 62-16. Rovers never gave up and deserve credit for a spirited display! Salford add two more tries in the final ten minutes. Murdoch Masila and Jones finishing the day with a brace each. Both goals are missed.
It was a result that Salford desperately needed and can now go in to next weeks home game with London confident. There's still a lot of work to be done to ensure are super league survival but today was the first brick in the wall. Final score Salford 70 Featherstone Rovers 16, Paul Whiteside Away Day Red
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