Salford 20 Castleford 22

Brave Salford lost 20-22 against Castleford tigers at the AJ Bell yesterday.

Salford started brightly when Theo Fagas pounced on a loose carry from the Tigers to open the scoring for the Red Devils.

Salford extended their lead when Kevin Locke got over the line for his 1st try in a Salford shirt to give Salford a 10-0 lead after 22 minutes.

Castleford hit back though ex Red Ashley Gibson who finished off 2 well worked tries to tie the scores at 10 all at the break.

The game started slipping away from Salford, Castlefords Nathan Massey skipped though the defence to score.
 
Castleford extended their lead to 12 as a cross field kick was not delt with by Johnson or Evalds allowing Winger Robson to score.

Salford kept the pressure up and after a great break  Gildart Fed Kevin Locke who crossed for his second try of the afternoon. With the conversion was missed but Salford fought on.

After a brief delay when the referee Robert Stokes went off injured Salford though Scott Taylor crossed the line, Greg Johnson conversion to take the score to 20-22  and despite heroics Castleford hung on for the win.

Injuries to Liam Hood, Adrian Morley, Kevin Locke and Scott Taylor added to a already huge injury list as Salford prepare to find some players to complete the Hull FC fixture next week.

 

Leigh 22 Salford 18

It was 2001 all over again for Salford Red Devils as they were knocked out of the challenge cup by high flying championship side Leigh.

Salford opened the scoring early when Theo Fagas barged his way over from close range. A good start by the Red Devils.

Leigh hit back however with 2 tries in 5 minutes Ridyard exposing some weak outside edge defence and McNally finishing of a 50 break under the post to give Leigh the lead. 12-6

Just on half time Salford levelled the scores Lovely break by Theo Fagas allowed Evalds to score and with Patterson adding the extras it was 12 all at half time

Salford regained the lead after half time Salford moved the ball well allowing Evalds to reach over the line again 18-12. The Reds had their noses in front.

Unfortunately for Salford this is where Salfords cup fairlytail ended and Leighs began. Leighs Ryan Brierley intercepted a loose pass by Ben Jones Bishop to tie the score .

Then with 10 minutes to go Jonathan Pownall burst the edge defence of Salford to give Leigh the lead.

Salford had few opportunities in the last 10 minutes and Leigh hung on for another famous cup win.

Injuries to Michael Dobson and Junior Sau were critical to Salford who lacked structure, organisation and creativity at times.
With a possible suspension coming for Cory Patterson after a clash with Greg McNally early in the game Salfords problems have multiplied further.

Castleford a week today is a huge game for Salford to banish this cup disappointment and keep our top 8 hopes alive need somebodies back tho or its going to be a tough day at the office.

                                                                                                            

Salford 24 Wigan 18

Salford do a Easter double for the 1st time since 2009 with a gutsy win against Wigan Warriors

Wigan scored 1st when Larne Patrick opened the scoring with a try right under the sticks. Hampshire kicked his first of two conversions.  Wigan increased their lead with a penalty by Hampshire and after 20 minutes it was 0-8 and Salford had a lot to do.

Salford started climbing that mountain five minutes later Niall Evalds scored after a brilliant pass by Rangi Chase. Josh Griffin converted and Salford were back in the hunt.

Just before half time the Salford hit the front  Josh Griffin made a break offloading to the supporting  Michael Dobson who beat the cover to score.

Half time score  score was Salford Red Devils 12-8 Wigan Warriors and with the players of 1996 challenge cup success against Wigan  in attendance Salford fans wondered if another famous win was around the corner

The 2nd half was a battle both sides showing the effects of two games over the Easter period.

Salford scored again and extended their lead Ben Jones-Bishop burst the tired Wigan defence to score by the posts

Wigan knew the game was sliding away  hammering the Salford line many times but to a man the home defence stood strong.

With 14 minutes of the game left, Weller Hauraki of Salford and John Bateman of Wigan had a fight and both were given 10 minutes to cool down by the referee.

Wigan Warriors found a gap in the tiring Salford  defence Ryan Hampshire zig zagged over the line for the visitors.

It was a 4 point ball game and both sides senced it was their moment to win.

Salford and Niall Evalds would be the victor tho as he crossed the line with 2 minutes left on the clock and the crowd inside the AJ Bell went bananas.

A minute later both Weller and Bateman were given their marching orders as the two clashed again

Wigan Warriors would score a  consolation try through winger Joe Burgess in the left corner but it wasn't enough as Salford marched on to another victory which puts them 3rd in the Super league table.

Huddersfield 12 Salford 18

A brilliant performance by Salford Red Devils saw us move up the Super league table to 4th after a gutsy win against Huddersfield Giants.

Salford Scored 1st in the 21st minute a Ben Jones-Bishop kicked through for  Josh Griffin to pounce on the ball to score. J Griffin failed to kick the conversion.

Just 10 minutes later, Salford extended their lead a Rangi Chase grubber  straight off the back of the scrum was caught by  Jones-Bishop who despite pressure put the ball down to score. Josh Griffin did not miss the conversion and Salford lead 10-0. 

As half time approached the Giants scored through second row Jack Hughes. Brough kicked his goal and as the hooter sounded the half time score was Huddersfield Giants 6-10 Salford Red Devils.

The 2nd half started Salford turned the screw on their opponents with some outstanding defence and great attacking runs.

Salford were rewarded when Rangi Chase created some good field position to allow Carl Forster to crash over under the posts in front of a stand full of jubilant reds.  Josh Griffin converted.

10 minutes to go Huddersfield hit back when Aaron Murphy made the score 16-12

The next 10 minutes were full of pressure moments with both sides trying to score the try which would win the game.

Huddersfield Giants wilted under the pressure conceded a penalty 15 metres from their own line with just four minutes to go and Griffin kicked the goal and Salford lead by six

Two drop goal attempts by Michael Dobson were missed as the rollercoaster of emotion continued for Salford

Huddersfield chanced their arm in the dying seconds but after some heroic defence spilt the ball and Salford won the game.

A brilliant performance by Salford full of grit and determination for the full 80 minutes. Bring on Wigan on Bank Holiday Monday

Salford 36 Widnes 8

Salford racked up a big win against Widnes to move to 4th In the Super League.

Salford opened the scoring after 3 minutes, Rangi Chase kicked though the Widnes defence for Ben Jones-Bishop to score. Josh Griffin converted to give Salford a 6-0 lead.

Salford increased their lead when a busy Michael Dobson kick was caught by Weller Hauraki who crossed for a try.

Widnes player Stefan Marsh was Sin binned by referee Ben Thaler for holding Dobson down after a impressive break by Liam Hood.

Widnes a man light found some rhythm and were rewarded when Paddy Flynn crossed for the visitors. Jack Owens converted.

Widnes kicked a penalty kick just before half time to make it 16-8 at the break.

Salford started the 2nd half very well and put Widnes under pressure. Lama Tasi broke the stubborn Widnes resistance to touched down by the posts.

Salford continued to open up the Widnes defence. Josh Griffin scored in the corner after good play by Patterson and Cory himself plucked a high ball from the sky to score shortly after.

Both tries went to the video ref and both were correctly given.

Scott Taylor put the icing on the cake with a battling solo effort towards the end.

A impressive Salford win very dominant throughout and lots of positives to take forward to Huddesfield on Good Friday.

Full Time Score Salford Red Devils 36-8 Widnes Vikings.

Castleford 30 Salford 16

Salfords 3 game unbeaten run came to an end as they went down 30-16 away at Castleford.

Tigers scored 1st ex Red Luke Dorn assisted Justin Carney who despite a heavy Salford presence in defence scored.  Luke Gale successfully converted and it was 6-0

Castleford doubled their lead Liam Finn scoring for the Tigers.

Salford struck back  Tommy Lee pounced on a great grubber kick by Rangi Chase and Josh Griffin converted. 12-6 all to play for.

Castleford extended their advantage a few minutes later Michael Shenton finishing of a flowing team move to score.

Salford still battled on, a Michael Dobson high hanging kick was spilt by the Castleford defence allowing ex Castleford star Weller Hauraki space to score Salford’s second try of the game.

As half time approached Rangi Chase and Castleford Tiger’s Justin Carney had a bit of a fight and both were sent to the sin bin.

Two minutes from half time Scott Wheeldon sliced though to score for Castleford taking the half time score to 22-12.

Castleford started the 2nd half the strongest Ben Jones-Bishop fumbled a Liam Finn bomb and Castleford scored to open up the gap further for the Tigers.

Castleford made the game safe with Carney's second try of the night before Ben Jones-Bishop scored a consolation for Salford after good hands by Josh Griffin with 10 minutes to go.

Castleford Tigers kicked a penalty in the dying second to end the scoring.

A tough night at the Jungle for Harris and his men who would have been looking to keep their winning run going and push further into to top 8.

Hopefully a better performance against Widnes on Thursday but the final score at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle was Castleford Tigers 30-16 Red Devils

Salford 24 Wakefield 18

Salford Red Devils made it 3 games undefeated and moved up to 6th place in Super League with a nail biting win over Wakefield.

Wakefield scored 1st. Jacob Miller collected a pass after a weaving run split the Salford Defence. Craig Hall converted.

Salford struck back within minutes Rangi Chase turned defence into attack intercepting a loose Wakefield pass and racing 50 meters before offloading to Greg Johnson to score. Josh Griffin converted and it was 6-6

Salford put Wakefield under pressure and it paid off, Weller Hauraki burst his way through some weak Wakefield defence to score. Griffin added the extras.

Half time came and the score was  12 – 6, did Salford have enough in the tank to see the game out?

Second half started brightly for Salford. A Theo Fages break caused chaos in the Wildcats defence allowing Rangi Chase space to score the third of the afternoon for Salford.

Wakefield were still in the contest Paul McShane scored to the left of the posts and Salford fans started to fear the worst.

Adrian Morley on his 300th Super league game came to the rescue for the Reds.
He picked up a loose pass and ran 40m to put Salford in a great position.
Next tackle it was Junior Sa’u on the right wing that collected a long Chase pass to score. Griffin Converted and the score was Salford 24 Wakefield 12.

Wakefield set up a tence last 5 minutes. Craig Hall crossed to close the gap to 6 but  Salford hung on to extend their unbeaten run of games to 3.