Orrell v Salford ladies League Cup Match Report
Salford Red Devils ladies won their 1st trophy on Sunday beating Orrell St James in the league cup.
Chris Bates injury concerns had evaporated as Winger Lauren Ellison passed a late fitness test to start on the wing and Helena Walker started in the 2nd row. Brogan Evans started at Loose forward.
Orrell had ex Wigan and St Helens 2nd Row Forward Megan Bragg in their ranks on the big day.
The pressure of being in a cup final was on both teams, but Salford handled it it better early on as a mistake by Orrell full back Lauren Gillham allowed Brogan Evans go close to opening the scoring for the Red Devils. The next attack Fullback Luci Mckeown found space on the edge of the Orrell defence and sliced through for the opening score.
Demi Jones converted and Salford lead 6-0.
A spiring kick by Demi Jones give Orrell fullback Lauren Gillham a challenge, she spilt the ball and from the resulting drop out Megan Condliffe caused chaos in the Orrell defence. Hooker Taz Cocoran attacked the back peddling defence and fed Alex Simpson,the GB Teachers centre raced over from 10 metres for Salfords 2nd score. Salford lead by 10 points after 10 minutes.
Salford were in clinical mood and nearly scored again 5 minutes later, a dangerous attack by Orrell was stopped in its tracks as Sade Rihari intercepted and raced 60 metres, her offload to winger Lauren Ellison was judged to be forward and Orrell survived.
Salford still needed to be strong in defence Orrells stand-off Molly Jones probed the Salford defence looking for a opening, a dangerous kick was fielded by Ellison and the danger went away.
Salfords strike players were finding their way into the game, Alex Simpson who was a danger all afternoon went on a Mazey run and with help from the destructive running of forward Casey Naylor gave Salford territory and ball deep in the Orrell half.
Captain Louise Fellingham created a opportunity after good work my Helena Walker to allow Sadie Rihari to crash over the line on the short side to extend Salfords lead.
Demi Jones converted her goal attempt and Salford lead 16-0.
Salfords forwards had found their feet and were now making metres up the field, Yasmin Parton Sotomayor and Casey Naylor in particular caused the Orrell defence problems.
Demi Jones kicked to the corner and Alex Simpson was unable to gather as Salford pushed for another score. Louise Fellingham and Demi Jones probed looking for another opening but unfortunately one could not be found at this time.
Orrell 1st big opportunity arrived just on half time a 40 metre break by Orrells Jones had Salfords defence in scramble mode winger Sydney Alderman-Smith tied to collect the offload but a last ditch attempted tackle by Brogan Evans did enough to cause the ball to go to ground.
Just on half time Salford looked to have scored again when Alex Simpson found space, Kate Garry and Luci Mckeown recycled the ball on the touchline from a Demi Jones kick but unfortunately Kayleigh Bradshaw was unable to grab the ball as a desperate Orrell defence came to meet her a metre out.
As the half time whistle went Chris Bates ladies had one hand on the league cup leading 16-0.
The 2nd half was a tense affair as Orrell tried to find a way back into the contest. Salfords defence was tested to breaking point as Orrell Centre Amber Davis crossed to put the Dark Blues on the board at 16-4.
Salford went looking for a try to settle the nerves, from 30 metres out good work by Captain Louise Fellingham and Luci Mckeown provided a opportunity for Centre Sadie Rihari to gallop away down the touchline. The centre used all her experience to draw the cover and sent winger Lauren Ellison over from 10 metres for the critical score sending the travelling Salford faithful into raptures. 20-4 with 20 mins to go.
Orrell knew that time and the scoreboard was against them and with a increasingly addgitated crowd pushing them on it was a challenge for Salfords defence line to say intact.
Time after time it was tested. Cup final heroics were asked for from the Salford defenders on both sides of the field and that is what Chris Bates got as Salford players tackled their Orrell opponents to a stand still.
Orrell had a try disallowed with 10 minutes to go as a long diagonal kick caused panic in a tired Salford defence but a over eager Orrell attacker was called offside.
Salfords defence was breached with 5 minutes to go Harriet Meakin racing round the edge of the Salford defence to score to give Orrell hope.
This turned to agony as turnover ball from kickoff allowed Salfords forwards to make steady metres and with game play intelligence from Captain Louise Fellinghams chip and chase preventing fullback Lauren Gillham creating a counter attack with solid defence Orrell ran out of puff and the league cup was Salfords.
As the final whistle blew Salford players, officials and fans rejoiced, a team who have been on a increadable journey from November last year to now has created history by winning the league cup in their 1st season.
Captain Louise Fellingham took her team up on the balcony of Orrells club house and lifted the trophy, fans whooped with delight. A moment everyone involved will savour forever.
With the 1st half of the domestic double secured for Salford news that Oulton Raddetts had beaten Warrington Lunas earlier in the day means the title race is far from over but Sunday was a moment to celebrate and enjoy.
Congratulations from everyone on the podcast goes to the ladies, the coaching staff and club officials. your heroics on Sunday have gone down in history.
Captain Louise Fellingham said
“Week in week out we are learning more and more about each other as individuals and as a team, learning new ways of winning and making history.
The ability to adapt and rally around each other just shows how much of a family we’ve become. Sunday was a tough game for a number of reasons, but I hope we showed exactly what it means to each of us when we pull on that Salford jersey.
I’m beyond proud of everyone, on and off the field, that has helped this dream come true.”
Cover picture by Steve McCormick
Action shots by Marrisa Chaplin
Match report by Rob Parkinson.
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