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Showing posts from March, 2023

Salford v Huddersfield Big Match Preview

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Last Friday was slightly bittersweet away at Wigan. A huge effort from Salford almost got the victory. In the end Paul Rowley’s side ran out of numbers in the final stages of the match with the Warriors just edging what was a cracking game. Huddersfield have made a steady start to 2023 but three home defeats to Warrington, Wigan and St Helens leave the Giants off the pace. Ian Watson’s side are fancied by many pundits to do well this year having significantly strengthened their squad.  This will be Salford’s third home match and it’s fair to say the Red Devils have played better away from home so far this season. A disappointing defeat against Hull Kingston Rovers and a nerve shredding 14-13 win over Wakefield is all Salford have to show at home so far.  Looking at the betting odds this week the bookies can’t spilt Salford and Huddersfield with odds even. Both sides play a completely different way so it will be interesting to see how both coaches approach Sunday’s match.  Last Friday w

Wigan 20 Salford 16 Match Report

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Both sides came into this match in good form and a confident mood.  After a real mixed day weather wise rain and a fairly greasy pitch set the scene as the match kicked off. Salford had made a few changes with Tim Lafai and Joe Burgess returning in place of Matty Costello and Rhys Williams. Amir Bourouh came in for the injured Andy Ackers, Sam Stone and Adam Sidlow both started. Wigan immediately got on the front foot with early attacking territory and a couple of penalties. Harry Smith converted one to put the home side ahead 2-0. Salford worked hard and looked solid in defence. It was two quality kicks that got them back into the match. First Marc Sneyd put in a measured kick to trap the Warriors in goal forcing a drop out. On the next play Ryan Brierley found Ken Sio with a perfectly weighted kick. Sio scored in the corner and Sneyd kicked the goal off the touch line. The game was thrilling to watch, both sides playing at a super quick tempo. Referee Chris Kendall blew for plenty of

Wigan v Salford Big match preview

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Well it was quite an eighty minutes on Sunday. I think you’ve got to give Wakefield a lot of credit. They didn’t let Salford settle into the game. At this stage of the season the win and the two points are all that matter. Apart from Warrington and Catalans teams are beating each other and results are so hard to predict. It’s probably the most even competition we’ve had for a long time. Anything seems possible this season and that’s what makes it so exciting. Wigan have started the season with some good results but they’ve looked vulnerable it matches and this is something Salford coach Paul Rowley will be looking to exploit. I spoke to Rowley after the match on Sunday and he knows how tough Wigan will be. They will kick well and build plenty of pressure. Danny Addy and Matty Costello both returned to action on Sunday and both were very impressive. Costello looked really solid in defence and took his try well. Addy is a real worker and bolstered the pack. Salford’s away record at Wigan

Salford 14 Wakefield 13 Match report

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Perfect conditions awaited the players at kick off. A gentle breeze with dry and fairly mild temperatures made it ideal for fast flowing Rugby League. Although the match didn’t really pan out that way Wakefield had not managed a point in their three previous matches and started this one in a determined mood. Salford scored the first points when Ryan Brierley sent Matty Costello over for a well taken try. Costello had waited patiently for his chance to start and with Tim Lafai missing through an injury picked up in training he slotted straight in at centre.  Rhys Williams fed Brodie Croft with a real hospital pass right in front of his own try line. The Australian half back was bundled behind the line as Trinity forced a drop out. The visitors immediately capitalised with a neat move down the left, Corey Hall went over and Mason Lino’s conversion levelled the scores at 6-6. Deon Cross came close to scoring but on the whole Salford’s attacks were pretty scrappy, lacking fluidity and Wake

SALFORD V WAKEFIELD BIG MATCH PREVIEW

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It’s been a miserable start to the season for Wakefield Trinity and their supporters. Four straight defeats and the last three matches they’ve failed to score a point. Trinity are a famous and proud club, the Dreadnoughts were top dogs in the 1960s but success has been hard to come by in recent years. Wakefield were last at Wembley in 1979 when they were beaten in the Challenge cup final 12-3 by Widnes. Trinity’s last major trophy came in 1992 when they beat Featherstone in the Yorkshire cup final. Over the last few decades you’ve needed a pretty thick skin to watch support Wakefield a bit like Salford in a way really. Since their promotion to Super League at the end of the 1998 season Wakefield have survived quite a few relegation battles. The club has a real togetherness and fighting spirit, Salford will need to be wary of this on Sunday. I don’t think any matches can be taken for granted in Super League this season. If you turn up half cooked your going to get turned over. Whatever