magic weekend Salford V Leigh preview

 Magic weekend has finally arrived and we are super excited Check out Paul Parkin's big match preview below looking forward to the game on Sunday

So we meet again, no this is an Ian Fleming “Bond” script its Salford V Leigh, we’ve enjoyed some epic battles against each other over the years, good and bad for both sides. 

This weekends Magic meeting could be pivotal in both teams season. Leigh have been on a poor run of form but this will be one game they’ll have targeted for getting their season back on the rails. Both teams priorities maybe looking at opposite ends of the table but this will be full blooded and passionate, Leigh with a few ex-reds in their ranks and the history between the clubs (and their Chairmen), looking forward to it.

 

Battle 1  Gareth Hock v Lama Tasi

What can you say about Gareth Hock that hasn’t already been said, well one thing that is often overlooking in his colourful career is he’s a very good player. We as Salford fans already know what a handful he can be both for and against us in the past and he’ll take some serious stopping this weekend, he’s been in a fine run of form this season and there have even been calls for the him to be called back into the international fold.

 Up against him for the Red Devils will be the big Samoan powerhouse Lama Tasi. The “Bondi Bruiser” is a man on a mission this season, recreating the type of rugby we witness on his arrival in Super League. His “rugged” tackling style has put many a forward on the seat of his pants a few times already this year. Both men have great go forward and formidable defensive attributes, so keep an eye out for these two clashing.

 

Battle 2 Ben Crooks v Josh Jones

Ben Crooks the once Super League dream team member is a guy with huge talent, on loan from Castleford the lad sure knows where the try line is.  His talent was spotted over in Oz when Parramatta took him over there, despite not making a first grade appetence for the Eels he will have undoubtabley learnt some skill which Leigh are benefitting from. Josh Jones has been one of our most consistent performers over the past 2 seasons. His powerful, uncompromising running style causes teams no matter of issues, whether that be him playing second row or centre, can you imagine having to try and stop him in full flight!!!

 

Battle 3 Mickey Higham & Eloi Pelissier v Logan Tomkins & Kris Brining

For the second week running I have picked the hookers as a key component for either sides efforts for victory this weekend. For Leigh this for me is their major threat with 3 (If you include Liam Hood) very good “number 9’s” Firstly the vastly experienced Mickey Higham, he’s been there and seen it all at the very top level for over 15 years, a very canny operator who will seek out any weakness in a defensive line. Leigh made an excellent decision to bring in Frenchman Pelissier, nippy, clever and, like Higham, an organiser who’ll boss the Leigh forwards around the park. 

For us, like I mentioned last week Tomkins and Brining are going to be hugely important in any Salford win, both in fantastic form and Brining was most peoples Man of the Match in last weeks cup game against Hull KR scoring a fantastic solo try.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your listening to this weeks Devil in the Detail, all your Salford Red Devil's news and chat to enjoy. We are joined by  Rugby league legend broadcaster Ray French who gives us his view on Salfords 2017 form, ex Red Nick Pinkney talks about his career, Lee Mossop Greg Johnson Logan Tomkins and Willie Poaching talk about the Victory against Hull KR.

Paul Whiteside looks at the local amateur rugby scene as Paul Parkin takes us through the news of the week as we prepare for Magic Weekend. 

salford v leigh big match preview

 

Salford Red Devil's face Leigh Centurions this Good Friday at the AJ Bell stadium. It looks like it's going to be a great crowd too with lots of tickets sold this week.

Check out our big match preview here looking forward to the game.

Previous meetings 

 

Form

 

Battles

 

The hooking role will be so important on Friday and dictating operations around the ruck can influence the game.

Logan Tomkins in the form of his life at the moment and has taken huge steps forward with the added responsibility of being Salfords senior hooker.

Good in attack solid in defence Logan will be looking forward to more great things on Friday.

Mickey Higham is the Peter Pan of leigh Rugby, he may be advancing in years but still has the quality to cause teams problems

Higham is a local leigh lad and playing in this derby will get the blood flowing and his battle with Logan will be a highlight on Friday.

 

The forward battle will be a great battle with both sets of forwards full of pace and power.

George Griffin has been in outstanding form in 2017 switching to the backrow. With powerful running, aggressive defence and stamina by the bucket load he is the energy provider for the Salford pack.

Dayne Weston has it all, the experienced Australian forward will be looking to put the marker down this derby day at Salford, his experience gained in Australia playing in pressure games will be valuable when battle commences.

 

Ben Murdoch Masila is Salfords go to forward, he the has pace and power to cause any defenders problems.

He has scored tries and been involved in some big Salford moments in 2017 so far and there is lots more to come from the big man.

Glen Stewart is a top Australian forward, playing at the highest level both nationally and internationally for Australia he has a wealth of experience coming into this game.

He spent some time playing for Catalan Dragons too so has experience in the European Super league and his battle with Ben will be very exciting.

Squad news

 

 

What a easter treat we have set up for you this week on YOUR devil in the detail podcast, after the amazing win v Hull we speak to Michael Dobson and Lami Tasi and get their reaction to the game, Ian Watson talks to us in Coaches corner too. We have all the latest news looking forward to Friday as well as Paul takes us through the amateur results and fixtures this weekend. Its a great show tune in here.

super league review

 
It's been another great weekend in Super league, Check out our review of all the action here

 

 

Salford Red Devil's 22 St Helens 14

Salford continued their winning run with a battling display against St Helens.  Salfords 1st half was strong and were rewarded when Craig Kopcjack scored and Salford lead 8-0 at half time.

Saints came back in the 2nd half with a try from Alex Warmsley but a double from Michael Dobson made the game safe for Salford.

 

Leeds Rhino 26 Wigan 18

Leeds Rhinos overcame a spirited Wigan to record another win at Headingley. The highlight for Leeds was Kalum Watkins who was celebrating his 200th career appearance going over for the Rhinos.

 

George Williams scored twice for Wigan but it wasn't enough on the night. Another defeat for Wigan which makes them slip towards mid table in Super league.

 

Castleford 52 Huddersfield 16

Luke Gale and Joel Monaghan both scored hatricks for Castleford to keep them top of the pile

Leading 16-4 at half time Castleford were in contol, Ryan Brierley hit back with a try for the Giants in the 2nd half but a 24 point contribution by Luke Gale gave Castleford the win.

Catalan 18 Wakefield 38

It was a very successful trip to the south of France for Wakefield as a hatrick by ex Red Ben Jones Bishop gave them the two points.

Wakefield were never in danger of losing this game, two tries for Catalan one from Krisnan Inu was the highlight for them but it was Trinity who came away victorious.

 

Leigh Centurions 24 Widnes Vikings 37

Widnes recorded their 1st win of 2017 by beating Leigh.

The Vikings were made to work hard for the win and lead 18-12 at half time.

A hatrick for Danny Craven was enough for the Vikings after a spirited performance and a try from Danny Tickle was as good as it got for Leigh.

 

Warrington 22 Hull 22

Both sides will look back at this game as one they should have won.  Hull lead 20-8 at half time with a try from Albert Kelly but back came Warrington.

A Marty Russell hatrick saved Warrington and even tho both sides tried to win the game at the end a draw was a fair result. Ex Red Mark Sneyd kicked 5 goals.

Your listening to this weeks Devil in the Detail podcast We talk about New contracts announcement. We interviewed Chris Welham and Greg Johnson and talk about the positive stuff happening in the world of Salford Red Devil's.

Super league review

It's been another exciting week in Super league this week Read all about it here

 

Wakefield 28 Leigh 24

Wakefield scored three tries in a strong 2nd half performance to record a victory over a battling leigh.

Leigh started well in the 1st half with 3 tries then Wakefield hit back with 3 tries one from ex red Ben Jones Bishop and the game was still in the balance.

Trinity finished the stronger and with Try's from Jacob Miller and another from BJB Wakefield saw the game out.

 

Huddlesfield 12 Leeds 28

Leeds are showing signs of recovery after recording their 3rd  straight win this time at Huddersfield. It was a battle a Matt Parcell try for Leeds  gave them a 18-12 lead which showed at half time this game could have gone eather way.

A try from Jordan Baldwinson was enough for Leeds in the 2nd half and with Liam Sutcliffe kicking a penalty the Leeds faithful were happy with the win.

 

Widnes 10 Salford Red Devil's 46

A demolition job for the Red Devil's as they recorded a impressive away win at the struggling Vikings.

A opening score by Lami Tasi set the platform and it was all one way traffic from there as salford raced into a 0-30 half time lead.

Todd Carney made is Salford debut in the 2nd half and set up a try for Gaz O'Brien in a great win for the Salford Red Devil's. A late try by Rhys Hanbury for Widnes was as good as it got for them.

 

Wigan 20 Hull FC 22

Hull FC leap frogged Wigan to go top of Super league with hard fought win at the DW stadium.

Try's from Albert Kelly and Jamie Shaul put Hull in control at 0-22 early in the 2nd half.

George Williams and Liam Marshall gave the Warriors hope of snatching a win but Morgan Escare missed the crutial conversion and the Hull went home with the points.

 

St Helens 31 Warrington Wolves 6

Another defeat for Warrington as the Saints went marching on to another win, Jack Owens scored in a 3 try burst for St Helens who had Matty Smith back from injury lead 18-0 at the break.

Kurt Gidley scored for Warrington in the 2nd half but they were always 2nd best, Alex Warmsley and a drop goal by Smith put the cherry on the cake for Keiron Cunninghams men.

 

Castleford Tigers 43 Catalan 26

Castleford Tigers returned to the top of Super League with a comeback win against Catalan Dragons.

Ex Red Richie Myler put the French men 0-14 up but they were unable to game manage the situation and the Tigers scale roaring back.

Two tries from ex red Greg Eden put the Tigers back in control and Ex Salford favourite Rangi Chase making his come back from recent discipline issues turned the game the Tigers way.

Victory for the Tigers takes them back to the top of the Super League after defeat against Salford last week.

Your listening to this weeks podcast. After our latest challenge cup draw with Toronto and a good win v Castleford we ask which trophy would you rather win?

We also talk Magic weekend tickets and much more including interviews with George Griffin, Rob Lui, Lee Mossop and Mark Flanagan.

super league review

What a weekend  of Super league we have witnessed. Read our report looking back at the other games in Super league this week.

 

Leigh Centrurians 22 Warrington 8

Leigh continued their impressive start to their Super League season at the expense of a stuttering Warrington side.

Ex Red Gaz Hock scored a brace eather side of half time a try by Warringtons Tom Lineman gave the Wolves hope but Leigh saw off the danger rooting Warrington to the bottom of the Super League table.

 

Leeds 38 Wakefield 14

Leeds secured another win this time against Wakefield to keep their impressive form going.

Two try's by Salford Lad Calum Watkins in the 1st half gave Leeds breathing space at half time 20 points to 4. Wakefield hit back in the 2nd half with tries from Fifita and Johnstone but Leeds did enough to secure the win.

 

 

Hull FC 32 Widnes 12

Hull secured a win against Widnes to heap more pressure on Salford Lad and Widnes Coach Dennis Betts. 

Danny Houghton lead the line well and Widnes were unable to deal with Hull FCs pace and power all night. Two tries from Albert Kelly the highlight for Hull.

It's 4 defeats in 5 games for Widnes who now must be feeling the pressure of super league in 2017.

 

Catalan Dragons 24 St Helens 28

St Helens secured the points in the south of France to ease the pressure on their Coach Kieron Cunningham.

Adam Swift, Mark Percival, Ryan Morgan and Adam Walker tries put Saints 22-18 up at the break, with Thomas Bosc, Julian Bousquet and Iain Thornley responding in a fierce, open contest.

A moment of magic by ex Red Theo Fages offloading to Jack Owens to score swung the game St Helens way.

 

Wigan Warriors 16 Huddersfield 16

Wigan were held to a draw by a spirited Huddersfield side at the DW stadium.

Jemaine McGillvary opened the scoring for the Giants with Morgan Escale for Wigan scoring a try and being inspirational throughout.

Danny Brough thought he had kicked the Giants to victory but a late try by Anthony Gelling made the scores level and the points were shared.

Your listening to this weeks Devil in the Details,  this week we have update from the latest fans forum with CEO Ian Blease,, Phil Cooper and Ex Salford player Paul Highton talk about the new magic weekend shirt and State of mind project designed to help ex players and people in the local community and Ian Watson is in Coaches corner to talk us through the defeat against Wakefield.