Salford Red Devils ladies v Stanningley ladies match report
Salford Red Devils were back in action after last weeks defeat against Oulton they were looking to bounce back against Stanningley.
Chris Bates line up had a mixed look to it, GB Teachers international Alex Simpson and Vannessa Hadley both returned to add some steal to the team, Helena Walker was selected in the 2nd row, in for the absent Viki Kini partnering England international Sarina Tamou and Laura Bent in at loose forward for the also absent Megan Condliffe. Chris Bates went with 4 forwards on the bench which proved to be a physically tough encounter.
The 1st half in this bruising encounter Stanningley prop Rebecca Reeve Burnett was taken to hospital with a serious ankle injury. We hope she recovers soon and is back playing the game we all love.
On the field both teams had opportunities to open scoring, It went Salfords way after 20 minutes, good work by Darcy Price sucked Stanningley defensive line in allowing Alex Simpson space on the outside to cross in the corner, Conversion was successful by Demi Jones and Salford lead 6-0.
In this see saw contest Salford's dangerous backline supported by a pack of forwards including Yasmin Parton-Sotomayor, Hanna Wicks and Abi Collins made inroads regularly it gave Salford opportunities, Lauren Ellison and Steph Gray enjoyed success with Gray running clear but a scrambling Stanningley defence caused a fumble and the danger passed.
As half time approached Salford were gifted a penalty and Salford's creative Scrum half Demi Jones from 30 metres out made no mistake with the boot and kicked Salford into a half time lead 8-0.
The 2nd half was not two minutes old when Salford extended their lead further, good play by Standoff Louise Fellingham created chaos in the black and whites defence, a looping pass found inform Gray who went over for Salford's 2nd try of the game, Demi Jones added the extras and Salford lead 12-0.
Salford didn't have to wait long for the next score, Luci Mckeown who recently had trials for Ireland RL was a danger all afternoon found a way though a stuttering defence to go over under the posts and extend the Salford Red Devils lead, Demi Jones kicked the extras and Salford lead 18-0.
Stanningley are made of stern stuff and hit back with 2 quick tries from Rachel Haithwaite cut Salford's lead to 8 points, and with still 20 minutes to play the game was still there to be won by either side.
A sign of a true boxing champion is the ability to get up of the canvas after a knock down, after last weeks defeat teams in this championship would have been looking at this game with great interest and with the news Salford were on the ropes again maybe they thought Salford's time had been and gone.
How wrong were they.
Salford's forwards marshalled by the returning Hadley continued to make ground up the field setting up a opportunity for Casey Naylor to power over from close range, sending Salford growing army of supporters on the side lines into raptures.
Late on Demi Jones was carried off injured. The scoring wasn't over, Lyndsey Cunnett crossed for the visitors with a couple of minutes go but Chris Bates ladies had done enough to record a win which keeps them top of the championship.
Chris Bates thoughts on the win
“I am really pleased with the defensive steel that the team showed to get the win, some of the scramble was awesome with bodies flying everywhere at times as we gifted them field position.
That field position came from our errors, which we have to take on the chin as coaches. Some of those errors came from us trying to play our expansive brand and playing what we see. On another day those passes stick and we score another 3/4 tries, but today they went to ground and put us under the cosh. We won’t look to change that drastically it’s how we play and it’s served us well this season. So over all a tough encounter with a big pack that we came out on top of, and that stands us in good stead for next weeks trip to Hull FC”
Match report Rob Parkinson
Pictures by Marrisa Chaplin
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