Wigan Warriors 42 Salford 6

A injury hit Salford continued to struggle last night, after another defeat this time against Wigan. Paul Whiteside looks back at the game.

Salford travelled to the DW Stadium for there third match of the super eights. Wigan were in really good form going in to the match. Salford how ever we're struggling with just one win in the last ten league games. The Red Devil's knew a win would put them right back in top four contention. Despite poor form this just shows how far Salford have come this season and how good the early part of the season was. 

In the early exchanges Salford started brightly forcing a Wigan error and with three sets on the warriors line. No points were posted though as the hosts held firm. Seven minutes in Wigan got the first try Sean O Loughlin pounced on a neat Tomkins grubber kick. Three minutes later a Manu Vatuvei mistake deep in his own half gave Wigan another opportunity and from a set scrum the ball was worked blind side. Super centre play from Oliver Gildart putting winger Joe Burgess over. George Williams converted both tries to put Wigan 12-0 up after 10 minutes.

Vatuvei came up with another error and from the next play Liam Marshall came close to scoring. Salford were under the cosh and on 17 minutes Liam Farrell powered over, Williams missing the kick 16-0. 

George Williams was bossing the show for the warriors and the young half back came up with a peach of a pass to send Burgess in at the corner for his second try. Conversation was missed 20-0. 

Salford were being bust down the middle far to easily but with key men missing in Lama Tasi, Ben Murdoch Masila, Mark Flanagan, Robert Lui, Lee Mossop and Junior Sau the Red Devil's were certainly doing it tough against a Wigan side on form and at full strength. 

Things got worse before half time when Tyrone McCarthy kicked out on the full. Wigan rolled down the field at ease with Sam Powell going in four minutes before the break. Williams tagged the kick on, 26-0 half time. 

Coincidentally this was the same half time score from the league game at the willows on the first game of the season. Salford won the second half that day 16-0, an effort like that was definitely needed.

Gareth O Brien was a half time substitute as Ian Watson tried to shake things up. O Brien with a early mistake close to the Wigan line proved costly. The warriors went the full length in two tackles with Williams touching down. The kick was added 32-0.

Wigan continued to dominate and over power Salford, piling pressure on with repeat sets and a drop out. Frank Paul Nuuausala was next on the try list, the powerful prop unstoppable near the line. Williams kicked the goal 38-0.

12 minutes from time the Salford supporters finally had something to cheer when Niall Evalds took a high Michael Dobson kick to score. O Brien added the goal 38-6.

Wigan completed the scoring six minutes from time cool centre play from Gelling to put young winger Liam Marshall away, his pace was frightening showing a clean pair of heals. Williams missed the kick 42-6. 

A disappointing night for Salford, Ian Watson was not giving up the fight for the top four and said the rest next week will be so valuable for the players to freshen up. You could see the passion in Ian's eyes and he will fight to the finish this season. Shaun Wane the warriors coach said that's the best Wigan have played for a couple of years. That statement perhaps provides Salford's loyal supporters some comfort. With the challenge cup final next weekend it's a well deserved break for the Red Devil's who will hopefully be refreshed and ready for the visit of Wakefield trinity in two weeks time. Final score Wigan 42 Salford 6.

Pictures by Steve McCormick 

Bit of both XIII

A brief look back through the archives and I’ve cobbled together a team compiled of players who represented both clubs over the past 40 years. I’m sure you’ll have your own opinions so if so let us know what kind of line-up you’d put together.

Steve Hampson

Joined Wigan in 1983 and was a fantasic fullback for Wigan. A important member of the Wigan team During his Wigan career, he made 296 starts (plus 8 subs bench appearances), scoring 55 tries, 48 conversions and 3 drop goals, a total of 319 points. Wigan reached the Challenge Cup Final eight times while Hampson was at the club, but he missed the first three Challenge Cup Finals (in 1984, 1985 and 1988) due to 

injury.

He played for Illawarra Steelers in 1989 and played along side another Salford and Wigan great Andy Gregory scoring one try. 

After leaving Wigan in 1993 he was part of the Salford side that ended Wigans unbeaten challenge cup run in 1996.

Known for his ability to jump high to catch high kicks this skill was practiced by training on Trampolines.

Phil Ford

Phil Ford was one of a famous rugby l He played Rugby League Wigan between 1984 and 1986 and scored 16 try's. He was a great try scorer and tough as nails too and finished his caeeed Salford scoring 50 tries between 1992 to 1995.

He won honours for Wales and Great Britain. He was a member of the Great Britain team that won the third test in Australia in 1988.

Chris Hesketh

The centre made 452 Salford appearances scoring 128 tries for the club in an illustrious career of which he spent twelve years at Salford we signed him for £4000 from his hometown club of Wigan in June 1967.

Hesketh was part of the last Salford side to play at Wembley in the Challenge Cup final back in 1969l Hesketh helped the Red Devils win two Championship titles, a Lancashire Cup and a Floodlit Trophy.The iconic Red Devil didn’t just impress for Salford but on the international stage, also. He was a member of the Great Britain side that won the World Cup in France in 1972. However, his career highlight came in 1974 as he was named as captain of the 1974 Touring Side alongside a handful of fellow Salford players.

Chris Sadly passed away last week but he will always be remembered for being a rugby league great.

Ged Byrne

Ged signed for Salford in 1981, the utility back was a force for Salford during that time registering 84 tries during his 6 years at Salford. 

He joined Wigan in 1987 and recorded, league title, challenge cup and World club challenge victories up until 1990.

Martin Offiah

The legendary wingman had electric pace, He scored 501 tries during his rugby league career, making him the third-highest try scorer of all time. A outstanding player for Wigan  and a key part of their success in the 1990s best remembered for in a Salford shirt for beating a young Brian Carney over 100m at the willows to score a try and scoring his 500th try away at London.

Steve Blakeley

Steve was nicknamed the king during his time at Salford, he had it all as a standoff. Signed from Wigan He went on to be 3rd highest points scorer in Salford history A accurate goal kicker with pace and a amazing step.

Andy Gregory had a trial at salford and played as A trialist in a A team game. Unfortunately Salfords loss was Widnes's gain. Andy went on to have a amazing career with Wigan, Warrington and Leeds in England and finished his Career at Salford.

He coached Salford to great success with successive 2nd division championship wins, ending Wigans challenge cup unbeaten run in 1996, a mid table finish in 1997  a semi final challenge cup appearance in 1998.

He left Salford in 1999 but will be remembered as one of Salfords best coaches.

Andy Coley

Andy Coley was a classy forward, deceptively quick and powerful he was the star of Salfords pack from the point he signed from Swinton.

He spent 6 years at Salford, playing for England who he scored a hatrick for against Russia and Lancashire.

He signed for Wigan in 2008 fans were not happy but he was rewarded when Wigan beat Leeds in the challenge cup final in 2011.

Wayne Godwin

Wayne Godwin is one of Rugby leagues great characters, he played for Wigan in 2005 for a couple of years where he became a England A international he had two spells at Salford the 1st from 2011 to 2013 where he scored 6 tries in 52 games.

He had a 3 game spell on loan in 2015 

Terry O’Connor

Current Sky Sports presenter Terry Started his his career at Salford in 1991.  A strong running prop showed plenty of potential he chose Salford as his childhood hero Steve O'Neill was part of the coaching team, along with Kevin Tamati . He was awarded Salford's young player of the year in 1991. He played in the Regal Trophy quarter-final against Wigan and was awarded the MOM he  sighed for Wigan in 1994. 

He spent the next 10 years at Wigan as the main stay of Their pack gaining international honours.

Harrison Hansen

Harrison Hanson is a local lad turned good, following in his Dads footsteps to wear the Salford shirt with pride and captain the club. He started at Wigan During his time with Wigan, he won two Super league grand finals  and two Challenge cups.

Gareth Hock

Gareth Hock played of Wigan for 10 years and was a amazing talent. A England international which could have achieved much more. He signed for Salford 2014 and showed glimpses of class. Unfortunately discipline and loss of form and injury Gaz Moved on to Leigh 

Bobbie Goulding

Bobby Goulding was a incredible talent he started his career at Wigan in 1988 scoring 11 tries and kicking 33 kicks and Winning a challenge cup.

At the back end of Bobbie Gouldings career he signed for Salford in the 2001 season modeling the 1+6 shirt. His Salford highlight were a man of the match performance against Castleford single handily securing their 1st win there in a long time in 2001.

A few other “characters” that have put on both the red of Salford and the Cherry and white of Wigan:

Mal Aspey, Phil Ford, David Stephenson, Colin Whitfield, Iafeat Palea’aesina, David Hodgson, Martin Gleeson, Scott Naylor. Nathan McAvoy, Steve O’Neill, Wayne Reid, Martin Foy, Jeff Clare, John Gilfillan, Martin Crompton, Andy Platt, Luke Robinon, Dominic Manfredi, Darrell Goulding, Jack Murphy, Scott Taylor, Matty Smith, Oliver Gildart, Lee Jewitt, Jordan James, Ged Stazicker, Sam Panama, Neil Baynes

Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils Big Match Preview

Salford travel to Wigan this Friday looking forward to kick start their super 8 campaign. Paul Parkin looks forward to the game.

This week feels a lot like do or die for Wigan and ourselves both sides hopes of making the semi-finals are now hanging in the balance. Wakefield currently hold forth spot 2 points ahead of the Reds and 3 above Wigan and with St Helens in between any slip up this week for either side could make it a near mission impossible. 

Wigan are coming off the back of an 18-4 home win over Huddersfield whilst we’re backing up from our home defeat to runaway leaders Castleford. Both teams are desperate for the crucial 2 points  and maybe both may have revenge on their minds after our first ever win at the DW earlier this season and for us of course the heart-breaking semi-final loss. I have a feeling this could be a very tense affair.

Battle 1: Josh Jones v Ant Gelling

Two big uncompromising guys could well come face to face. Josh Jones is a powerfully strong running player who really takes some stopping, he’s at home either in the centre or as has been more common, in the second row. Gelling is also a strong runner who is awkward to get hold of and even harder to keep hole of. Both players have great offload games which can cause trouble to their opponent.

Battle 2: Weller Hauraki v Jon Bateman

I think it’s safe to say these two guys probably don’t send each other Christmas cards, what I’m saying is I don’t think they like each other very much. There have been many occasions when they’ve met each other that the fireworks (and the fists) have exploded. Weller will pick up even more responsibility in the reds pack this week as the enforcer with both Lama Tasi and Ben Murdoch-Masila missing. Bateman is a real handful who has some really class in his locker, aggressive and tough he’s a real nugget of a forward. These two could well light up the DW.

Battle 3: Niall Evalds v Sam Tomkins

Two exciting attacking full backs who are both very capable of scoring and setting up tries from very little. Both are very dangerous in broken play and will exploit any gaps left in the defensive line. Niall has 12 Super League tries this season and will be looking to add to that this week. Tomkins is a massive influence on the Warriors and has popped up many times this year with important contributions.

Head to Head 

Salford Red Devils 4 Castleford 23 Match Report

Salford's second match of the super 8s was made even more significant with Thursday nights result. Wakefield thumped Leeds 38-6 to leapfrog the Red Devil's to move into 4th place. Salford would start the night in 6th. Visitors Castleford have been outstanding this year and a real model of consistency with just 3 defeats in the regular season. 

There first defeat of the year came at the AJ Bell stadium back in march. A Gareth O Brien drop goal the difference in a 13-12 win for Salford. With 5 defeats on the spin Ian Watson and the boys were desperate for a victory to kick start the season and maintain the top 4 aspirations.

Tyrone McCarthy pulled up in the warm up and was replaced by Craig kopzack.

The Tigers were awarded a penalty after just twenty seconds which seemed to set the tone early on. Six minutes in Salford were denied a try for a forward pass on the next set great work from Paul McShane at dummy half sending Zak Hardacker over. Luke Gale adds the goal 0-6.

Salford start to find there feet and keep the ball alive brilliantly moving the ball across the field. Jake Bibby puts in a clever kick to force a drop out. On the next set Manu Vatuvei goes over in the corner only for the try to be ruled out very harshly by the video referee for obstruction. Hardacker grabbed his second try in the 27th minute. Racing over from a flat pass to scorch under the posts. A Luke Gale goal made it 0-12.

On the next set Gale kicked a 40-20 but some good solid defence from Salford forced the tigers into a mistake. Half time 0-12.

The Red Devil's were desperate for points, hanging on to the coat tails of the league leaders. 5 minutes into the second half the video referee was called in to action as Vatuvei pounced on a neat kick just before the dead ball line! The try was awarded but Todd Carney couldn't convert 4-12. 

The Red Devil's upped the intensity asking real questions of the Tigers defence. Castleford are battle hardened in that department and came up with the answers. 

Another huge call went against Salford when Ryan Lannon was denied a try for a forward pass. The pressure continued to build with both Kopczack and Lannon held up over the line. Just over 20 minutes remained when a real sucker punch try put the game further out of Salford's reach. McShane throwing an outrageous dummy to charge over for a well deserved try. Gales goal nudged the Tigers to 4-18.

Castleford then worked some magic the lively Hardacker breaking through finding Gale in support who's huge pass out to the wing put Jy Hitchcox over to seal the match. Gale missed the kick 4-22. 

5 minutes from time the busy Gale dropped a goal to complete the scoring. 

A night where Salford had quite a few chances and were also on the end of some tough calls from the official. Castleford we're pretty clinical with the ball and solid in defence. 

Ian Watson was focusing on the positives after the match. Another excellent display from new signing Manu Vatuvei. Salford travel to Wigan next Friday for what looks another very difficult match. This super eight competition is certainly starting to hot up with the Red Devil's needing a win to keep there top four dreams alive.

Salford 4 Castleford 23

This report was by Paul Whiteside from The Devil in the detail.

Pictures by Steve McCormick 

Hull FC 32 Salford 18 match report

Salford kicked off there super 8s campaign with a tough trip up the M62 to Hull. The Airlie birds were on a high after a terrific semi final display to dispatch Leeds. 

The Red Devil's made a bright start Manu Vatuvei taking a high kick and racing down the pitch. He then won a penalty and with some good work from Jake Bibby Vatuvei scores in the corner. With Michael Dobson not playing Todd Carney took on the goal kicking. His first attempt missed 0-4.

Todd Carney then came up with an error which allowed Hull the field position. Moments later after some poor defence Albert Kelly raced in to level the scores. Jake Connor added the goal 6-4. Hull then made it back to back tries Carlos Tuimavave going in after Salford were carved up through the middle. Connor added the goal 12-4.

Robert Lui then finds a bit of magic, his pass puts Niall Evalds through who races 60 yards to the line turning Hull full back Jamie Shaul inside out. Carney fails with the conversation attempt 12-8. 

Rob Lui starts to make a mark on the game with another super kick this time a high bomb is lost in the air by Hull winger Mahe Fonua. From a set scrum ten yards from the line Lui powers over to level the scores. Salford decide to change goal kickers and Lui kicks off the touch line to nudge the Red Devil's ahead 12-14.

Right on the hooter Salford are penalised and hull wisely take the two points on offer to level the score 14-14 half time.

Tyrone McCarthy comes close to opening the scoring at the start of the second half just missing a Lui kick into the in goal area. Shortly after another try goes begging when the busy Lui puts George Griffin through a big gap his pass finds Evalds before the ball goes to ground. 

The game then seem to change momentum wise on the next set when hull find a 40-20 kick from Danny Haughton. A high kick follows but no Salford player seems to jump allowing Fetuli Talanoa to score, Connor makes it 4/4 with the boot 20-14. Jake Connor continued to have a huge say in the game scoring a try after throwing a dummy to ease past some very ordinary Salford defence. His goal stretched the lead to 26-14.

Hulls off load was doing a lot of damage at times the Red Devil's defence looked all over the place. Tuimavave grabbed his second try with Connor converting to put the game out of Salford's reach 32-14. With 15 minutes to go Vatuvei scored his second try. The big kiwi making his mark on the night with a solid display. Another big performance from Niall Evalds at full back with Logan Tomkins playing 80 minutes in a brave display. 

Salford definitely missed Dobson's organisation, with Sau, Tasi, Mossop, Brining and Flanagan missing it was a tough night. Ian Watson was again disappointed at the end of the game with Castleford visiting the AJ bell stadium next Friday Salford are desperate to get a win to boost confidence. Manu Vatuvei is slotting in well and is only going to get better as the weeks go by. His go forward and meter making tonight were fantastic. Defence definitely needs work and the intensity that was there early in the season is missing at the moment. 

Final score Hull 32 Salford 18.

Report by Paul Whiteside 

Pictures by steve McCormick 

HULL FC V SALFORD RED DEVILS BIG MATCH PREVIEW

Salford travel to Hull FC for their 1st game in the Super 8s. After reaching the semi final of the cup a new challenge has started for the Red Devil's. Paul Parkin looks what is in store ahead of the big game

So, we move onto the Super 8’s following our disappointment of last week’s semi-final loss and Hull FC win over Leeds the two clubs, teams & fans couldn’t be much more contrasting. A big game to kick off the final push of the season for the two sides who finished in the top 4 meeting first up. Hull FC can be devastating at times and may feel they "owe us one” for the hammering we handed them at the KCOM earlier this season, however this time both teams find themselves in very different situations. Season ending injuries to Flanagan,Tasi and Brining struggling have upset things massively for us but the arrival of both McCarthy and Vatuvei have eased things slightly.

Battle 1 - Tyrone McCarthy v Gareth Ellis

Two ex-NRL players could well clash at loose forward this week and both will be crucial for their sides. McCarthy had a very impressive debut in last week’s semi-final bagging himself a try will feel slightly more settled in the team patterns this week and hopefully can pick up where he left off last week. Gareth Ellis is one of the most experienced men in the game, a real leader in the FC line-up they have really missed him during periods of injury this season and will be influential in their game plan.

Battle 2 - Josh Jones v Josh Griffin

This could be a mouth-watering contest, two strong uncompromising centres who will take turns point scoring on each other for 80 minutes. Both will know each other’s game inside out. Jones is always very dangerous near the opponent’s line and always draws players in which could well create space for the Beast outside him. As for Griffin well what can we say, he is a massive reason we’re involved in these big end of season games due to his heroics in the MPG we know only too well how much of a threat he will be.

Battle 3 – Manu Vatuvei v Mahe Fonua

The big Kiwi came into last weekend’s game will the world waiting to see him explode but a week to early MAYBE now he’s had a little time to adjust and settle he may now unleash the beast which, for opposing players, would be terrifying. His match this week is likely to be Fonua the Tongan international who himself takes some stopping, although being a good few inches smaller than Manu, he still weighs in at over 16st of muscle, this could be bone crunching.

Head to Head

Form