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Showing posts from April, 2023

Salford 16 Catalan 14 Match report

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Salford coach Paul Rowley made just one change to his starting thirteen from the team that beat Castleford last Thursday. Rhys Williams came in on the wing to replace the injured Ken Sio. Ellis Longstaff came on to the bench. Before kick off their was an emotional minutes silence for former Salford hero and club legend Mike Coulman. Mike passed away on Friday. He played for Salford between 1968 and 1983 making four hundred and six three appearances. Mike was an international in both codes of rugby and will be fondly remembered by so many people. A very humble and gentle man who achieved so much in sport! Salford made the brighter start and were immediately on the front foot against their French visitors. The Red Devils first try came from an unlikely scorer in King Vuniyayawa but he took his chance well. Marc Sneyd converted and on the very next set booted a huge forty twenty kick. Salford failed to capitalise though making an error to let the Dragons off the hook. Salford seemed a lo

Salford 8 Featherstone Rovers 22 Match report

Devil In The Detail SRD · Player reaction to Catalan win and Ladies Challenge cup defeat. Pop up podcast  

Salford v Catalan Big Match preview

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  In terms of predictability you never really know what your going to get with the Catalans Dragons. Out of all the clubs in Super League at home to the Dragons is one of Salford’s better records. The Dragons entered Super League in 2006 and what a start they had beating Wigan 38-30 at their previous home the Stade Aime Giral. The club have a new home now just outside the centre of Perpignan, the Stade Gilbert Brutus. This has become a real tough place to go. The French supporters are fanatics and make it an electric atmosphere on match days. Despite their short existence the Dragons have become a very established club. They reached the Challenge Cup final in 2007 and were beaten by St.Helens but ten years later they returned to Wembley and beat Warrington 20-14 in an epic final. The Dragons have also graced Old Trafford in the Grand Final falling just short to Saints in 2021, 12-10 in a match that could of gone either way. It’s fair to say every season now Catalans are expected to do

Castleford 8 Salford 20 Match Report

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Salford Red Devils ladies recorded their 1st Super League 2 win of the season beating Castleford Tigers at the Mend a Hose Jungle on Sunday. Salford started with new signing Sam Evans at Scrum half, Luci Mckeown was back in her regular Fullback spot. New signings Emerald Hickey and Summer Harris came on from the bench for Chris Bates ladies. Early tough Salford defence lead by Taz Cocoran caused a error from Allana Waller and Salford took advantage after 4 minutes as Evans and Fellingham directed opperations sending forward Sarina Tamou rampaging close to the line. The next tackle Salford moved the ball left Viki Kini found Mckeown who siced a hole in the Castleford defence to register Salfords 1st score of the afternoon. Salford had their tails up and tested the Castleford defence again, Centre Steph Gray asked questions late in the tackle count  but the Tigers survived. There was more pressure from Salford a couple of minutes later as Captain Louise Fellingham grubber kick through ca

Salford 14 Castleford 6 Match Report

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Devil In The Detail SRD · Chris Bates previews Ladies clash with Cas and win reaction from Joe Burgess and Chris Atkin podcast   After a pretty nippy, damp and windy week the weather had cleared up for Salford’s return in this home fixture with Castleford. The evening sun was just starting to drop leaving playing conditions perfect for Rugby League as the two sides came out to warm up.  Salford coach Paul Rowley made some subtle changes to his side that won a tough game at Leigh last weekend. Oliver Partington returned to the side at loose forward and Jack Ormondroyd was back on the bench.  Castleford had former Salford favourites Niall Evalds at fullback with Jordan Turner in the centre and George Griffin on the bench. Gareth Widdop partnered Jacob Miller in the halves with Jack Broadbent moved to centre.  The Tigers got off to a blistering start on their first real attack. Greg Eden finished of a clean and crisp move to score in the corner. Widdop confidently booted the conversio

Salford v Castleford Big match preview

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  It’s been a fairly turbulent start to the season for Castleford. Coach Lee Radford has departed, off the field drama and very poor form left the Tigers without a win after their first four matches. Like neighbours Wakefield they’ve struggled to post points and have been nilled twice at home already to Wigan and Warrington respectively. Having said that hard fought wins over Leeds and Wakefield at Wheldon Road and a solid display in Perpignan against Catalans has given caretaker coach Andy Last some positives to build on.  Salford have managed four victories from their first eight games with three coming away from home. The Red Devils have been very patchy in their home games and failed to impress. The Easter victory at Leigh will have given Paul Rowley’s side a real boost. Their were impressive performances from Chris Atkin, Shane Wright, Sam Stone and Tyler Dupree is becoming a real crowd favourite with his ability to power through tackles. Salford still have players to come back

Leigh 20 Salford 22 Match report

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For everyone who remembers the Easter fixture between Leigh and Salford in 2008, well today was certainly the complete opposite weather wise! The two sides warmed up in glorious sunshine and pleasant temperatures. Once again the Salford supporters travelled in good numbers to create a buzzing atmosphere behind the sticks prior to kick off. The Red Devils were boosted by the return of Andy Ackers and despite a nasty rib injury last Sunday Joe Burgess started on the wing. After a solid opening and a good few sets defended Salford were opened up by the Leopards on their left edge. A floated pass found Josh Charnley and he finished superbly in the corner. Ben Reynolds missed the conversion but shortly after made amends with a penalty goal, 6-0. Salford hit back with the perfect response. Ryan Brierley measured a delicate kick for Ken Sio to pounce. Marc Sneyd hit the post with the conversion but Salford’s tails were up. After forcing a drop out Salford cranked the pressure up on the home s

Leigh v Salford Big match preview

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Both sides go into this Easter fixture with three wind from their first seven games. Leigh proved to be a tough nut to crack for Salford in the opening match of the season a few weeks ago. Since then Leopards have won on the road at both a Hull and Hull Kingston Rovers as well as toppling the Champions St.Helens at the Leigh Sports Village. It’s been a testing start for the top flights new boys but in their other fixtures they’ve shown plenty of fighting spirit too. Hard fought matches away to the top two sides in the division Catalans and Warrington May have ended in defeat but has certainly got Leigh battle hardened for the task in hand.  It’s been a tough few weeks for Salford and Paul Rowley’s small squad has been battered and bruised away to Wigan and last weekend against Huddersfield. With key players in the pack missing its making it hard for the forwards in the team as they are being tested to the limit playing big minutes.  Easter is a real feast of rugby league and traditiona

Salford ladies 8 Leigh 26 Match Report

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  Salford Red Devils ladies were beaten in their 2 nd preseason game of 2023 as Leigh Leppard's were victorious on the Salford City Stadium Community pitch. Salford were without scrum half Demi Jones and Full back Luci Mckeown, with Sam Evans and Sage Bannister filling in and winger Summer Harris starting in place of Kate Garry. The game started at a frantic pace with both sides running hard early on. Leigh Ellise Derbyshire had the 1 st opportunity slicing through the Salford defence out wide but a heroic team effort halted her progress.  Salfords forwards were full of hard running with Darcy price, Sarina Tamou, Megan Condliffe and new signing Emarald Hickey making inroads, unfortunately without Jones organisation and ball distribution they struggled to move the ball which resulted in errors in the 1 st half .  This gave Leigh territory and ball for long periods, Salford's defence was tested and rebuffed the pressure with Fullback Bannister being peppered with bombs and

Salford 16 Huddersfield 26 Match Report

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Finally it felt like spring on a bright sunny afternoon in Salford. After a month of rain in March the pitch still looked in immaculate condition for this much anticipated clash.  A lot of matches in Rugby League’s top flight competition are played on Thursday and Friday night’s these days. For me though their is something special about a Sunday afternoon fixture and the atmosphere inside the stadium was absolutely electric as the two sides walked out. Salford coach Paul Rowley had to make changes after last weeks match at Wigan. The injured Tim Lafai was replaced by a very capable player in Matty Costello. Danny Addy started at loose forward with Ben Hellewell and Andrew Dixon on the bench. The Giants had Will Pryce at fullback with Jake Connor and Oliver Russell in the halves. Former Salford players Tui Lolohea and Sebastine Ikahihifo were on the bench.  Both sides traded sets in the early stages with completion rates high. The first points came the Giants way from a Salford error. A