Salford Red Devils ladies v Warrington Lunas Match Report
Salford Red Devils ladies started their 1st ever league campaign with a impressive away day win against Warrington Lunas at Victoria Park.
Lucy Mckeown continued her run at fullback, Salford handed a debut to Great Britain Teachers Centre Alex Simpson, Megan Condliffe returned after missing the Featherstone victory to boost Christ Bates pack.
Warrington started well and put Salford under pressure from the 1st whistle and were rewarded when they opened the scoring.
After weathering the initial Warrington storm Salford found some rythm, good work by Demi Jones and Kayleigh Bradshaw sent Luci Mckeown in for the equalising try. Jones kicked her 1st goal of the game and the game was tied at 6-6.
Alex Simpson who stared for the GB teachers early in the month showed all of her class collecting a pass from Mckeown after another runaround move by Jones and Bradshaw caused panic in the wire defence. The conversion by Jones was unsuccessful this time but Salford lead after 10-6 after 30 minutes.
With half time approaching both sides had chances to register more scores but had to settle with what they had at the turnaround.
After Half Time Chris Bates ladies found another gear, good bomb kick by Jones caused pandamonium in the Warrington defence and a Mckeown was on hand to get over the line for her 2nd try of the game, Jones made no mistake with the kick and Salford had a 10 point lead.
Warrington showed why they are one of the favourites to win the league this season showing lots of clever touches and good running resulting in a score and with the conversion good it reduced the deficit to 4 points.
With the Lunas in the accednancy it took a moment of magic to swing the contest back in Salfords favour. Captain Louise Fellingham linked up with Mckeown who sent centre Steph Gray through a gap in the Warrington defence, winger Lauren Ellison was in support to show fleet of foot and raw power to carry Warrington defenders over the line to score. Jones was wide with the conversion but Salford had wrestled the initiative back or so they thought.
Warrington were looking for a way back into the contest, after a period of pressure with Salfords defence being tested to breaking point the Lunas had back to back tries to celebrate which put Wire infront by two points with 10 minutes left.
With Salford under pressure it took a Captains knock to see Salford over the line in this pulsating encounter, with 5 minutes left on the clock a long pass by Jones found Louise Fellingham who showed calmness and creativity under pressure sending 2nd row Viki Kini over for the match winning score for Salford. The kick was good by Jones and Salford lead by 4
The last 2 minutes were tense Warrington had lots of ball and territory but Salford with some excellent defence weathered the late storm to take the points.
Coach Chris Bates said
“I’m delighted with the win, we came here knowing we’d be tested in ways that we perhaps hadn’t been in the friendlies and cup run to this point. We came up against a team with a smattering of internationals and an understanding of how to manage a game. While there’s plenty to work on, I was delighted we showed the fight to find a way to win”
Final score Warrington Lunas 22 Salford Red Devils ladies 26
Pictures by Marrissa Chaplin
Stats by Marcelle Lock
Report by Rob Parkinson
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