Salford v Hull Kingston Rovers.
Salford’s first few adventures at the Magic Weekend saw some disappointing defeats. Two drubbings in Edinburgh against Warrington in 2007 and 2010 were followed by a shocking performance in Cardiff against Celtic Crusaders in 2011.
I suppose their are pros and cons with the whole event but speaking as a Salford supporter I always treat the match as another two points the same as a regular season home or away match. It’s certainly a chance to play on a big stage in front of a sizeable crowd. For the past four years the Magic Weekend has been held in Newcastle which many fans have enjoyed. St James’s Park is right in the heart of the City Centre which added to the carnival atmosphere.
This year sees the weekend move to Anfield stadium in Liverpool.
After a thrilling encounter last weekend away at St Helens in a match that you will struggle to top for the rest of the season, certainly for shear excitement and end to end action. Agonisingly Ian Watson’s side came up just short but the amount of positives that can be taken from that match will surely stand The Red Devils in good stead for the rest of the campaign.
Salford have proved this year that when they get things right they can beat anyone and with the eyes of Rugby League on them this Sunday the players will want to impress.
Super League Magic Weekend Record.
Won 4
Draws 0
Lost 7
2007, Salford 18 Warrington 50 Murrayfield, Edinburgh
2009, Salford 16 Harlequins 24 Murrayfield, Edinburgh
2010, Salford 16 Warrington 68 Murrayfield, Edinburgh
2011, Salford 12 Celtic Crusaders 42 millennium stadium, Cardiff
2012, Salford 38 Huddersfield 34 Etihad Stadium, Manchester
2013, Salford 28 Widnes 22 Etihad Stadium, Manchester
2014, Salford 24 Widnes 30 Etihad Stadium, Manchester
2015, Salford 16 Widnes 38 St James’s Park, Newcastle
2016, Salford 18 Widnes 12 St James’s Park, Newcastle
2017, Salford 36 Leigh 22 St James’s Park, Newcastle
2018, Salford 12 Catalans Dragons 26 St James’s Park, Newcastle
They played for both
Here are a selection of players to have represented The Robins and The Red Devils,
Greg Austin, Colin Dixon, Greg Burke, Chris Charles, Michael Dobson, Sean Gleeson, Darrell Goulding, David Hodgson, Lee Jewitt, Justin Carney, Jordan Walne, Phil Joseph, Tommy Lee, Tyrone McCarthy, Craig Murdock, Cory Paterson, Gareth Price, Scott Taylor, Tony Puletua, Richard Smith, Iain Thornley, Kris Welham and Todd Carney.
A match to remember Sunday 27th May 2012.
Salford 38 Huddersfield 34.
After four straight miserable defeats at Magic this was a day to remember for Salford and their supporters. Long trips to Edinburgh and Cardiff had been huge let downs with heavy defeats. This match in 2012 was played a little closer to home at The Etihad Stadium, the home of Manchester City.
It was a lovely, warm and sunny afternoon with glorious temperatures, particularly at pitch side.
Salford had gone six matches without a victory and went in to the match as under dogs. The Giants were a big, athletic team with plenty of power and pace in the backs. With talisman Danny Brough guiding them Huddersfield were a tough team to beat.
Salford made the early running and Australian centre Joel Moon made that pressure count when he touched down following Jodie Broughton's unorthodox palm back of the ball.
Kevin Brown and Luke George responded with tries for The Giants.
Salford then worked the ball from right to left through the halves and Luke Patten slipped the ball to Moon unopposed for his second score.
The Reds extended the lead with a nice try from centre Sean Gleason.
Speedster Broughton squeezed in for another Salford try just before the break to send Phil Veivers side in leading 16-22 at half time.
Leroy Cudjoe had a try chalked off by referee Tim Roby but this only seem to hand the momentum to Huddersfield. Two tries from the enormous Eorl Crabtree edged the Yorkshire side in to the lead.
Salford kept persevering and were rewarded with a try for their honest endeavour when Moon maintained his balance under pressure and offloaded to Broughton who raced in for his second to bring the scores within two as Holdsworth fluffed his conversion attempt.
Adam Sidlow powered over from a neat Stuart Howarth which saw the lead change hands in to Salford’s favour again.
Huddersfield yet again showed their quality when a dummy half break from Jason Chan put Brough in under the posts and he stepped up to convert.
It was end to end nail biting action. The match balanced on a knife edge.
Salford's seventh try restored the lead yet again. Sidlow, who crossed for a second time to again open up the four-point gap with three minutes to play.
The big forward smashing his way to the line showing tremendous strength.
The Giants spurned late chances with Salford hanging on to win a super match 38-34.
The teams that day;
Huddersfield: Eden, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Wardle, George, Grix, Brough, Mason, Moore,Ferguson, Lawrence, Chan, Brown.
Replacements: Crabtree, Robinson, Fa'alogo, Faiumu.
Salford: Patten, Broughton, Moon, Gleeson, Williams, Holdsworth, Smith, Jewitt, Howarth, Sidlow, Ashurst, Nero, Wild.
Replacements: Owen, Anderson, Paleaaesina, McPherson.
Referee: Tim Roby
Sunday’s match.
The two sides met just a few weeks ago in The Challenge Cup with Hull Kingston Rovers progressing to the Quarter Finals. Salford’s performance was poor particularly in the second half where a 16-6 lead was surrendered.
With London Broncos picking up a victory last weekend The Robins are dangerously hovering near the relegation zone. London, Leeds and Hull Kr all have eight points and with the Rhinos meeting the Broncos this very weekend, Super League could have a new team rooted to the foot of the table.
The two sides will kick off day two with the action getting under way at 1pm.
Victory for Salford puts them in real contention for a top half finish in the League table. With the Super eights from last season now a top five playoff only the most consistent sides will make the cut.
The Magic Weekend is a real feast of Rugby League and after last weekend’s Summer Bash proving a real success at Blackpool for The clubs in the Championship, The Super League now takes centre stage.
Safe travels and enjoy the game everyone.
Paul Whiteside.
Pictures by Steve McCormick
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