Salford 8 Featherstone 22 Match report
Salford Red Devils started their 2023 Challenge cup adventure with a defeat against one of the competition’s favourites Featherstone Rovers.
Salford started with new signing Liana Liota in the 2nd row, Sam Evans and Louise Fellingham continued in the halfs with Demi Jones returning to the 17 after injury from the bench.
Featherstone started the stronger and scored a try in the 1st minute Liv Grace found space on the edge of the Salford defence fed Cloe Billington who supplied the ball for Elle Lamb for the 1st score.
The conversion was missed Rovers lead 0-4.
Kate Garry left the field early for Saford but it didn’t stop Salford hitting back, a tough tackle forced a error giving Salford field position on 10 minutes.
From there good runs by Alex Simpson and winger Sage Bannister crested a opportunity for Salford to strike as 2nd row forward Viki Kini collected a pass to score. Luci Mckeown missed the goal and the game was tied up at 4 all.
Salfords confidence was growing all the time, forwards Megan Condiliffe, Sarina Tamou and Brogan Evans showed plenty of powerful and agile running to keep the Rovers defence on their toes.Good running allowed Taz Cocoran to create a opportunity for Sage Bannister but the ball found touch instead of a out reached hand and the danger went away.
Chris Bates ladies continued to ask questions Vicki Kini who tormented the Featherstone defence throughout the contest build pressure with the help of Luci Mckeown and Emerald Hickey but unfortunately a desperate Featherstone defence kept the Red Devils from adding to their total at that point.
20 minutes into the game Salfords injury concerns doubled when in form scrum half Sam Evans was carried off with a hamstring injury. Demi Jones came on the field as the replacement.
Salfords defence was tested through the hole game Featherstone Kirsty Duffield went on a rampaging run to the line. Salfords defence stopped the certain try though pure grit and determination but they were unable to stop Cloe Billington going over in the corner. The kick was missed and Rovers lead 4-8.
Salford found momentum from the kickoff, good work by the Salford forwards gave Sarina Tamou the opportunity to score racing onto a short ball close to the line. unfortunately the ball was bounced in the act of scoring and Featherstone beathed a sigh of relief.
Unfortunately a couple of minutes before half time more injury woes for Salford as skipper Louise Fellingham and Liana Liota colided in a tackle. Both went off the field with head injuries and did not return.
Featherstone could sense a opportunity as Charley Blackburn found a gap in the Salford defence Cloe Billington was in support and scored with 90 seconds to go in the 1st half.
Rovers went in at half time leading 4-12.
The 2nd half started with a bang for Salford as good strong carries close to the Featherstone line by Abi Collins and Emerald Hickey created space for Demi Jones. Jones measured a kick to the corner for Sage Bannister to collect and score 8-12 and still 35 minutes to play.
Salford had no substitutions to make in the 2nd half and Featherstone put on the pressure Dani Walters with the score with 25 minutes to play.
More good play from Viki Kini and Sage Bannister causing Rovers defence problems. Unfortunately after a sweeping more Taz Cocoran was judged to have crossed in the act of scoring and the try was chalked off.
Despite Salford having no substitutes to interchange Salford continued to create chances, Demi Jones short kicking game giving the Featherstone defenders something to think about.
Unfortunately for Saford with a minute left to play Elle Lamb found space out wide and scored to take the game away from Salford.
Despite no substitutes and injuries to key personnel the ladies battled hard and tested Rovers for the full 80 minutes, there is plenty of positives to take forward to Cardiff on Sunday.
Pictures by Marissa Chaplin
Match report by Rob Parkinson.
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