Stanningley v Salford Red Devils ladies Match report
Salford Red Devils ladies were crowned champions on the Championship after a fiery encounter at Stanningley, Its been a fantastic season for Chris Bates ladies and they will be full of confidence going into the playoff series this weekend,
Alex Simpson continued at Fullback for the Red Devils, Brogan Evans was a centre, Vicki Kini and Helena Walker started in the back row for Salford with Megan Condliffe contining at Looseforward.
Salford opened the scoring after 4 minutes a testing kick by scrum half Demi Jones was spilt by the Stanningley fullback, centre Sade Rihari picked up the loose ball and fed winger Lauren Ellison for the opening score of the game from 10 metre out. Demi Jones converted and Salford lead 0-6.
Unlike some other teams Stanningley asked questions of the Salford defence and a last ditch tackle by Salford centre Brogan Evans kept Stanningley scoreless in the early stages.
A sign of a true champon is when your under pressure is to deliver a sucker punch, and this is what Salford did, Good strong runing by the hard working pack put Demi Jones in position to put pressure on the Stanningley defence. Her measured kick was collected by Katie Garry who dived over in the corner with Jones converting again Salford were in control at 0-12.
The kick off by Stanninghley went out on the full and Salford sensed that Stanninghley were on the ropes, after more expansive play Lauren Ellison was unlucky to be dragged into touch when the line beckoned.
Shortly after Salford found themselves down to 12 players a Brogan Evans was harshly yellow carded for holding down in the tackle when Stanningley eyed a opportunity to take a quick 20 metre tap.
Despite having one less player on the field Salford continued to proble, good work by Sade Rihari, Lauren Ellison allowed captain Louise Fellingham space to grubber kick the ball infrount of fullback Alex Simpson but the Great Britain Teacher international was unable to gather and the chance went away,
It was a real war of attrition down the middle with the Salford forwards muscling up to a equally aggressive Stanningley pack, Salford were gifted field position and ball when Salford forward Sarina Tamou forced a error with a huge hit on her oppoisite number.
Salford had posession and territory and after a couple of tackles Salford prop Casey Naylor crashed over from close range mutch to the delight of the traveling Red Army. Demi Jones convered and the scoreboard read 0-18 Salford.
Just before half time Salford registered another score, Brogan Evans back on the field after her sinbin and was sensational all afternoon linked up with Demi Jones who opened up the defence for Sade Rihari to score in the corner. The half time hooter went and Salford ladies were in position to take the league points and be growned champions at 0-24
Six mintues into the 2nd half Salford ladies scored again, With Stanningley desperately looking for a way back into the contest a looping pass on the Salford line was food and drink to centre Sade Rihari who collected the wayward effort ran fully 80m to score her 2nd try.
Salford were reduced to 12 players again shortly after as Kayleigh Bradshaw was put in the sin bin for a high tackle and Stanningley took advantage getting on the score sheet moving ball from right to left, Salford were short on numbers and the 4 pointer was confirmed.
Salfords next try was another length of the field effort winger Katie Garry raced away from the play of the ball on her own line against a back peddling Stanningley defence she had the speed to go under the posts for Salford unaposed for her 2nd try of the afternoon.
Kayleigh Bradshaw returned to the field shortly after.
Salfords brand of rugby is a joy to watch, a mix of aggressive direct running forward play, creative and quick running in the backs with Silky hands and pin point kicking game from the half backs had Stanningley sweating again as Viki Kini who was outstanding and Alex Simpson were next over the line. Unfortunately both efforts were disallowed for forward passes in the build up, like a punch drunk boxer Stanningley were looking for the bell.
The final two tries of the afternoon were real team efforts with Alex Simpson and Lauren Ellison going over in the corner after good work by Ellison and Rihari and Bradshaw linking up the play.
The final highlight of the game was when a Stanningley big 2nd row forward burst the Salford line and raced away only to be met by Demi Jones filling in a fullback who literally threw the forward into touch.
It was a record creating day for Demi as with her 7 conversions she passed 200 points for the season for the Red Devils.
Chris Bates ladies were crowned champions but the journey goes on and the battle in the playoffs heat up as Salfords face Hull KR on Sunday at Cadishead for a place in the Grandfinal.
Stanningley 4 Salford 42 FT
Report by Rob Parkinson
Pictures by Marissa Chaplin
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