Salford v Wakefield.
Both sides come in to this fixture on the back of four defeats with their seasons at a crossroads. Salford are four points off the playoff places with Wakefield a place above the Red Devils just two points off fifth place.
Chris Chester’s Trinity were tipped by many to do well this season and are expected to finish high up the League ladder.
The way the season is developing if a side can find any sort of consistency the top five is in reach, it literally is wide open.
With London Broncos toppling league leaders St Helens last weekend it’s going to be very exciting at the bottom of the table. Danny Ward’s Broncos are now level on points with Hull Kr, two points behind Leeds and four behind Salford.
The two sides have met once this season at Belle Vue at the end of March with Wakefield taking the win 33-22.
Despite Tom Johnstone’s season being over due to another bad injury, Trinity have a very exciting crop of young stars. Winger Lee Kershaw, who signed a one-year contract extension this week, has become a regular since making a try-scoring debut in the win over Leeds on Easter Monday, while centre Jack Croft earned plenty of plaudits for his display in last Saturday's defeat to St Helens in the Coral Challenge Cup. James Batchelor and Jordan Crowther continue to impress in the pack.
Their is also the Salford connection with ex Red Devils Craig Kopzack, Matty Ashurst and Ben Jones Bishop all plying their trade in West Yorkshire.
With Danny Brough and Jacob Miller partnering in the halves Trinity are a team to be wary of despite the poor run of form they are on.
Super League Home record.
Won 14
Draws 1
Lost 9
1999 Salford 28 Wakefield 14
2000 Salford 14 Wakefield 22
2001 Salford 26 Wakefield 16
2001 Salford 24 Wakefield 32
2002 Salford 42 Wakefield 18
2002 Salford 22 Wakefield 22
2004 Salford 20 Wakefield 27
2005 Salford 16 Wakefield 14
2005 Salford 37 Wakefield 0
2006 Salford 48 Wakefield 10
2006 Salford 26 Wakefield 12
2007 Salford 18 Wakefield 35
2009 Salford 24 Wakefield 30
2010 Salford 16 Wakefield 12
2011 Salford 34 Wakefield 12
2012 Salford 34 Wakefield 42 (played at Leigh)
2013 Salford 10 Wakefield 46
2014 Salford 18 Wakefield 14
2015 Salford 24 Wakefield 18
2015 Salford 34 Wakefield 26 (middle eights)
2016 Salford 38 Wakefield 8
2017 Salford 24 Wakefield 34
2017 Salford 18 Wakefield 43 (Super 8s)
2018 Salford 38 Wakefield 4
They played for both
Here are a few players who represented both clubs:
Ben Jones Bishop, Mason Caton Brown, Tim Smith, Kevin Locke, Matty Ashurst, Ged Byrne, Garen Casey, Shane Kenward, Jason Critchley, Ashley Gibson, Sean Gleeson, Bobbie Goulding, Josh Griffin, George Griffin, Darrell Griffin, Phil Hassan, James Hasson, Stuart Howarth, Alan Hunte, Greg Johnson, Warren Jowitt, Andy Kirk, Tommy Lee, Francis Maloney, Martin Moana, Kris Tassell, Jason Walton, Jeremy Smith and Craig Kopzack.
A match to remember Friday 19th August 2005.
Salford 37 Wakefield 0.
After a year of steady progress in 2004 Salford were looking to kick on in 2005.
Some heavy defeats hampered Karl Harrison’s side and going in to this match against Wakefield they had lost four on the trot conceding over 50 points at Bradford and Leeds.
The two sides had already met twice in the league with Salford edging to victory 16-14 at The Willows and Wakefield coming out on top 36-24 at Belle Vue.
In a tough first half Salford went in leading 12-0 at half time.
After the break The City Reds played a more expansive style which Trinity couldn’t live with. Anthony Stewart bagged a hat trick of tries, Karl Fitzpatrick who was excellent in attack and defence playing fullback crossed for a try and came up with two outstanding try saving tackles to keep Wakefield scoreless. Andy Coley and Luke Robinson also got tries.
Chris Charles kicked five goals and Robinson kicked one goal and a drop goal in what was one of the most impressive Salford displays of the season.
Salford went on to finish 9th place in the Super League table with Wakefield in 10th position. A solid season of improvement with an even better, exciting season to follow in 2006.
The teams that day;
Salford: Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, Littler, Stewart, Langi, Beverley, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Highton, Sibbit, Brocklehurst, Charles.
Subs, Mcavoy, Clough, Haggerty, Baldwin.
Wakefield: Halpenny, Wainwright, Domic, Henderson, Tadulala, Jeffries, Obst, Griffin, D. March, Korkidas, Solomona, MacGillivray, Field.
Subs, Spicer, Elima, Wrench, Feather.
Referee, Ronnie Laughton
Attendance, 3,005.
Sunday’s match.
In Rugby Leagues top flight competition every win is vital. Each two points is precious especially for a club like Salford who are constantly striving to improve. You get the feeling that this Sunday’s match is perhaps one of those ‘must win games’. The competition is so tight at the moment at both ends of the table. The month of June could prove pivotal to where Salford finish in 2019. With two back to back home games
Ian Watson’s side have a big opportunity to build some momentum.
Their is now doubt that off the field issues can effect performance. Lots of talk over player movement for next season over the last few weeks has got supporters talking and even maybe worrying about who’s going where.
With so much still to play for in 2019 this group of players Watson has can do something special if things go their way. They’ve already proved this season they can match anyone but finding consistency has been a problem.
Wakefield are a tough opposition with another excellent young coach leading them in Chris Chester. Chester like Watson is a very honest character who is building himself a good reputation. Trinity might not have a fancy stadium or lots of house hold super stars in their team, but what they do have is a fantastic togetherness and team spirit. Same can be said for Salford, it’s a very small squad Watson has at his disposal and in recent weeks supporters have questioned team selections. Salford don’t have the luxury of a reserve team or an academy so it’s very difficult for the coaching team to make wholesale changes week by week. In a way both teams are probably punching above their weight which is credit to the staff and players.
The previous meeting earlier in the season was a very exciting encounter and Sunday’s match has all the ingredients of another special afternoon at The AJ Bell Stadium.
Safe travels and enjoy the game everyone.
Paul Whiteside.
Pictures by Steve McCormick
No comments:
Post a Comment