Salford were back in action at the AJ Bell stadium after last weeks terrific performance at widnes.
Tonight St Helens were in town. The Saints were also in good form winning there last two games away at Catalan and home to Warrington. So two form sides something had to give.
20 years ago in may 1997 Salford beat saints 39-26 Ian Watson was an unused substitute for Salford that night and Kieran Cunningham was in the St. Helens side! Tonight they went head to head as coaches.
The opening stages of the game were very nervy neither side wanted to give anything away. Defences were really on top and the first points came from a Michael Dobson penalty goal to edge Salford ahead 2-0.
The Red Devil's had to shuffle the team around early on losing Greg Johnson to injury. Kris Welham moved on to the wing while Rob Lui slotted in the centre. Todd Carney entered the fray and took Lui's place at stand off. Salford's attacking flair was there for all to see. Craig Kopczack burst on to a lovely short ball to celebrate his new contract in style with a try under the posts. Michael Dobson added the extras.
Todd Carney spilled the ball from the kick off leaving Salford's defence work to do just before half time. They held there nerve to complete an excellent first half.
Three minutes in to the second half Craig Kopczak makes a thrilling break, the ever reliable Dobson is there in support to extend Salford's lead with a great try. O Brien kicks the goal 14-0.
St. Helens had so much possession and the Reds goal line defence was superb once again. Finally Alex Warmsley got the visitors on the scoreboard powering over to reach out for a try. Mark Percival kicks the goal 14-6. The Saints are starting to move through the gears james Roby and Johnny Lomax speeding up there attack causing the damage.
Mark Percival made a break and hares towards the line but Mark Flanagan chased back to pull off a fine tackle. Marks work rate is once again outstanding with a fine all action man of the match display. Moments later the pressure tells and saints were in at the corner with a try from Morgan. Kick is missed and it's 14-10.
Another crucial penalty goal is converted by Dobson 16-10.
With ten minutes remaining perhaps a drop goal would be on the Salford menu. Robert Lui is then very harshly sin binned leaving the Red Devil's to play the game out with 12 men.
St. Helens continue to attack and throw everything at Salford but can't pierce this heroic defence.
A relieving kick down field with nothing on Morgan comes up with the error and Michael Dobson pounced for his second try. Huge relief round the stadium as Dobson kicks the goal to give Salford breathing space 22-10.
Lomax grabs a try for the saints with two minutes remaining but Percival can't convert as Salford hold on for another famous win in front of a delighted crowd.
Down in numbers in the second half losing both hookers Tomkins and kris Brining Salford dug in with a fantastic display of courage and desire. Ian Watson has got a team to be proud of this year and he was delighted after the match. There is work to be done and Ian will keep the players feet on the ground ahead of next fridays trip to hull. A thrilling match tonight which finished Salford 22 St. Helens 14.
Pictures by Steve McCormick, Written by Paul Whiteside
Your listening to this weeks Devil in the Detail podcast. We look back at a big week for Salford regarding new contracts for their top performers, we talk to Kris Welham , Greg Johnson and Ian Watson in Coaches corner as well as look at the result and fixtures for our amateur sides.
Finally we talk about ex players who played only a handful of times for Salford and try and form a one hit wonder XIII.
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