Born Read, Live Read, Die Read

The old railway end of Castleford’s Wheldon Road ground was quite a sight as Paul Rowley’s Salford side charged out for kick off in this crucial penultimate match of the regular season. A vocal travelling army had made the journey up the M62 to a ground that has seen plenty of let downs and disappointing days for Salford over the years. Could this be the day to lay a few ghosts to rest and stride proudly into the top six? Although the pitch was a short one it looked in fantastic condition prior to kick off and the fever pitch atmosphere generated by both sets of supporters was absolutely electric. After a hard working victory over Hull on Thursday night Rowley kept faith with the majority of the side. He did make a few subtle changes. Dan Sarginson came in on the wing for Rhys Williams. King Vuniyayawa returned to the side from a long injury lay off and started the match. Shane Wright also made the starting thirteen with Alex Gerrard on the bench. The first points came from the boot of

Devil In The Detail SRD · French fancies, Stuart Wilkinson, Chinese Proverbs and "ULL FC"  Salford Red Devils ladies continued their fantastic form with a strong performance and win at home to Hull FC. Alex Simpson started at Fullback in place of Luci Mckeown, Brogan Evans started in the centre and Sarina Tamou continued at Loose Forward. Hull started with  French international loanees Margot Canal and Anais Fourcroy on the wing and in the centre. Salford started well moving the ball around testing the Hull defence and opened the scoring when England international Sarina Tamou powered her way over from close range to give Salford ladies the lead. Hull asked questions of Salford defence when the ball was moved wide and a grubber kicked though from half way by Laura Anderson put Salfords defence on alert, it was organised and the danger passed. Kate Garry went close when a Demi Jones kick bounced in goal but the Salford winger was unable to gather and score. Salfords forward

Devil In The Detail SRD · French fancies, Stuart Wilkinson, Chinese Proverbs and "ULL FC" Over the years these two sides have met in big cup matches on a number of occasions. Castleford have had the upper hand with a Wembley win in 1969, the following seasons of 1970 and 71 they put a stop to Salford’s cup run at Wheldon Road. The Tigers won a cup Quarter final between the two sides in 1999 and who could forget the golden point match at Headingley in 2021 which Cas agonisingly edged over the Red Devils. I know this match isn’t technically a Cup tie but it’s got that feel to it. The winner of this will take a place off spot leaving the losing side relying on Leeds to drop points in their final two matches. Castleford, Salford and Leeds can all make the playoffs in any combination. One of the three will miss out though and Monday should be a fever pitch atmosphere. Salford had to work hard on Thursday night to beat Hull. The Airlie Birds came with a solid game plan and minds

Devil In The Detail SRD · French fancies, Stuart Wilkinson, Chinese Proverbs and "ULL FC"   After some cracking results of late Salford came into Thursday nights match with Hull as clear favourites. It seemed like the Red Devils were starting to get the respect they deserve this season. The club work on a modest budget and have a humble way of going about their business.  Visitors Hull had made a good start to 2022 and when the two sides met on Humberside back in February Salford were thrashed 48-16. A lot has happened since then though. The Airlie Birds have struggled to find form and just like Salford they’ve been hampered by injuries. Hull had won two from their last ten matches conceding 60 points on three occasions over the last two months.  Paul Rowley and his Salford side knew their destiny lay firmly on their own shoulders. They didn’t need to rely on anyone else to make the top six. With three matches to go though the pressure was on and prior to kick off their was

Devil In The Detail SRD · French fancies, Stuart Wilkinson, Chinese Proverbs and "ULL FC"   How are you feeling with three games to go? Excited? Nervous? Either way it’s a great time to be a Salford supporter and ten games into the season I don’t think I saw these performances coming!  I don’t think it’s just the winning games but the manner of the victories that have taken many by surprise. Last Saturday Catalans Dragons we’re completely dismantled on their own ground by a Salford side playing the best rugby in the country! Once again the tries were sensational and however poor Dragons coach Steve McNamara thought his side played perhaps it’s because Salford didn’t let them play!  I didn’t see that score line coming either! Anything seems possible now this season but with three matches to play Paul Rowley and his team won’t be looking past this weeks opponents Hull.  The Airlie Birds always seem to be fancied by the the pundits at the start of every season. They seem to sp

Devil In The Detail SRD · Giants beaten, Ladies record score as Reds prepare to sing and dance in France  It was a super Saturday for Salford Red Devils reserves as they beat Warrington Wolves in a pulsating encounter at the  AJ Bell. Head Coach Stuart Wilkinson started with Jacob Lee in the 2nd row and Matty Unsworth at Loose forward, Jack Stevens, Finn Yates and Chris Worrell started on the bench. Warrington opened the scoring after 3 minutes when Winger Oliver Brooks  squeezed over in the corner. Standoff Ben Tyrer converted and the Wolves lead 6-0, Salford hit back 7 minutes later good work by scrum half Mathew Rudd sent forward Mathew Unsworth over the line for Salford's 1st score of the afternoon. Fullback Josh Rourke converted to tie the scores at 6-6. Salford took the lead on 15 minutes when Toby Hughes found space in the Warrington defence and fed 2nd row forward Henry Davis who crashed over from 20m. with another conversion by Rourke Salford lead 12-6. It was a see saw

Devil In The Detail SRD · Giants beaten, Ladies record score as Reds prepare to sing and dance in France The Super League traffic jam is becoming chockablock as the dash for the top six seems to get tighter week after week. Before we chat about that let’s just look back to last Saturday. Once again Salford blew away another top side with a sizzling first half performance. Five tries before the break dismantled the Giants. The attacking rugby on show from the Red Devils was sensational. Every time they were in possession anything seemed possible. The forward pack laid the foundations and hooker Andy Ackers ran his blood to water for the full eighty minutes.  The match with Huddersfield last week was broadcast live on Channel Four television. I watched the game back the following day and the coverage was first class. The commentary team and the pundits were a breath of fresh air talking the sport up full of positivity. Adam Hills did a fantastic job presenting and the two features on b

Devil In The Detail SRD · Giants beaten, Ladies record score as Reds prepare to sing and dance in France  

Devil In The Detail SRD · Leeds set back, Ladies march on as we prepare for the invasion of the Giants   Salford Red Devils ladies picked up their 2nd home win of the week and broke a try scoring record against Widnes Vikings. Alex Simpson started at fullback in place of the absent Luci Mckeown, Viki Kini and Helena Walker started in the 2nd row and Sarina Tamou played at Loose forward for the Red Devils. Widnes has suffered a number of withdrawals before kickoff due to holidays and injuries and fielded a youthful team but Salford didn’t let this effect their performance with a clinical display. Salford started well and from a Demi Jones kick chaos ensued in the Widnes defence allowing captain Louise Fellingham to catch the ball and score Salfords 1st try.   Salford Centre Sadie Rihari continued her good form in a Salford shirt with a Mazey run and assisting  Taz Corcoran’s 1st try of the afternoon. Salford were in control. Brogan Evans who was playing on the wing against Widnes used

Devil In The Detail SRD · Leeds set back, Ladies march on as we prepare for the invasion of the Giants Salford Red Devils welcomed Channel Four to the AJ Bell Stadium for this early afternoon kick off. Once again it was glorious sunshine and scorching hot temperatures. These sort of conditions are becoming a regular occurrence at home fixtures this season.  Huddersfield Giants were the visitors and their supporters travelled in numbers. The Giants were in good form sitting third place in the Super League table and now started to come into matches with the expectations to win given the resources available to coach Ian Watson. Salford came into the match with plenty of confidence having won their last three home games scoring 150 points along the way. This looked another difficult assignment for Paul Rowley’s side playing against a team that have become very tough to beat and hard to score points against. The Red Devils once again showed their intentions in the early stages by moving t

Devil In The Detail SRD · Danny Orr Huddersfield Home Pre match chat At times during the Super League era following Salford has been pretty tough going. Seasons of struggles and going to matches to keep the score down make it hard to keep your spirit up. However, the 2022 season is becoming so intense and exciting week after week. Salford are challenging and beating the best teams in the league. Sat having your tea and toast on the morning of a match day your mind can’t help but wander. Dreaming of playoff matches and heaven knows even another Grand Final. This weeks visitors Huddersfield are having a terrific season. A very consistent side that a really difficult to beat. The extra spice this week comes with the two clubs player and coach connections and I am expecting a fever pitch atmosphere at the kick off. When ex players and coaches return to their former clubs it all adds to the whole drama of the occasion.  The two sides have met twice already this season. The Giants thumped

Devil In The Detail SRD · Danny Orr Huddersfield Home Pre match chat   Salford Red Devils ladies continued their quest for a league and cup double beating Warrington Lunas at the AJ Bell. A large crowd had made their way to the stadium to the community pitches to welcome back the cup winners after their heroics last week against Orrell. Victoria Kini came back into the starting 13 as did Sarina Tamou as Helena Walker came off the bench. 10 minutes into the game Warrington opened the scoring the ball was moved wide and it was Abigail Johnson with the touchdown, the conversion was missed but Chris Bates ladies trailed 0-4. This fired the Red Devils up and after some good work by Fullback Luci Mckeown sent Centre Sadie Rihari over. Demi Jones landing the conversion Salford were infront 6-4. Pace of the game and the hot sun beating down on the played ment that official water breaks were introduced after 20 minutes. Before the 1st one was called Warrington moved the ball towards the left

Devil In The Detail SRD · Salford beat saints / Ladies win the cup. if Carlsberg did rugby... with Louise Fellingham  Salford Red Devils unbeaten run came to an end at Leeds Rhinos on Sunday. Dan Sarginson continued at Fullback but was replaced by Ryan Brierley at half time as a hamstring injury forced him off the field Leeds started the better team testing the Salford defence  and raced into a 18-0 lead inside 15 minutes to put them firmly in the driving seat The 1st try Leeds showed by the Rhinos are dangerous moved the ball wide, Salford's defence was unable to deal with the early pressure and Harry Newman after a suspisiously looking forward pass from winger David Fusitua  got on the end of a flowing move to open the scoring for Leeds. The 2nd try came from ex Salford scrum half Richie Myler. A high kick which Myler contested with Dan Sarginson. Unfortunatly for Salford the Leeds Scrum half beat the Salford full back to the ball and scrambled over the line from 10 metres. Lee