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After last Saturday’s pulsating Challenge Cup tie against Huddersfield, Salford were back in League action against an ever improving Hull FC. The Airlie Birds had been on a horrendous run losing seven on the trot but seemed to have turned a corner winning there last four matches. They now look a lot more settled with halfbacks Jake Clifford and Jake Trueman. When the two sides met in the reverse fixture just over two months ago Salford were sensational thumping Hull 14-60 on there own ground. Most of the Super League matches this weekend were played on Friday night and once again we saw some exciting games and score lines. In my opinion this is the most open season in Super League history. It would be fantastic to see two of the unfashionable teams in the Grand Final and the Challenge Cup final for that matter. I think it would be good for the sport in general. Salford coach Paul Rowley made changes with both Ken Sio and Tim Lafai starting after returning from injury. Andy Ackers was b

After last weekends cup drama Salford return to league action against an improving Hull team that are starting to hit form. Last Saturday Huddersfield made more comebacks than a pair of flares but Salford just about clung on to progress through to the quarterfinals. It’s always great to score tries but Paul Rowley will be looking to tighten up the defence this Sunday.  With Jake’s Trueman and Clifford in the halves the Airlie Birds are hardly recognisable from the team that started the season. They look so much more organised and on attack look very threatening.  Hull have now won four games on the trot following on from seven successive defeats.  Marc Sneyd was once again accurate as ever with his goal kicking last Saturday. A perfect seven from seven conversions and a try made Sneyd’s contribution very valuable to the victory. His organisation and leadership skills play a massive part in this Salford side. Sneyd and half back partner Brodie Croft have a terrific understanding. Both H

Salford Red Devils are through to the next round of the Challenge Cup after a points-fest dramatic win against Huddersfield Giants. Salford opened the scoring after 4 minutes when prop forward King  Vuniyayawa  made inroads into the Huddersfield defence, from the play of the ball Ryan Brierly found Joe Burgess with a superb pass. The Salford wingman found space on the outside of the Huddersfield defence and passed to a supporting Matty Costello to open the scoring. Marc Sneyd converted his 1st goal of the evening and Salford lead 6-0. Paul Rowleys men had momentum and Huddersfield stugggled to deal with Salfords attacking ideas, another opportunity rose for Salford as more good work by Mark Sneyd sent Alex Gerrard spinning over the line after 8 minutes. Salfords lead was doubled. Huddersfield’s 1st opportunity came after 15 minutes as Esan Marsters looked to have breached the Salford line, fortunately the ball went to ground and the danger passed. Salford made movement up the field, a

Devil In The Detail SRD · The Big Match Chat with Krisnan Inu Huddersfield Challenge cup It’s such a special competition the Challenge Cup. For both Salford and Huddersfield it’s been a very long time since they last tasted success. Salford’s only Challenge cup triumph came in 1938. The Giants have won the trophy on six occasions with their last one coming in 1953. The way the cup is now structured whoever wins on Saturday is just two games for Wembley and in the draw for the quarter finals.  Huddersfield reached the final last season but were beaten right at the end of a pulsating match by Wigan. Salford reached their last final in 2020 in a behind closed doors match against Leeds losing agonisingly 17-16. A trip to Wembley was cruelly taken away from the Salford supporters in 2020. The way the team have played under Paul Rowley over the past eighteen months they would grace the hallowed turf and it would be an unforgettable day. A Challenge cup final could really see a club take of

Devil In The Detail SRD · History made in Leeds, who is our worse referee? (statistically)and marching on to Saints A beautiful sunny lunchtime awaited the players at kick off. Blue skies In Merseyside and hardly any breeze made the conditions perfect for Rugby League. Saints hooker James Roby received a guard of honour prior to kick off as he became the record appearance holder with the club. A remarkable achievement for a fantastic player who epitomises everything that is great about our wonderful sport. Salford coach Paul Rowley made a few subtle changes from the side that won at Leeds last Friday. Matty Costello returned in place of Ellis Longstaff, Alex Gerrard made the bench and Jack Ormondroyd missed out. The Red Devils made a super start soaking up any early Saints pressure before launching some blistering attacks. A lovely pass from Oliver Partington set king Vuniyayawa on the burst and he had Brodie Croft in support who raced in for a fine try. Marc Sneyd converted, 0-6. Sa

Devil In The Detail SRD · The Big match chat with Paul Rowley Saints away As a kid growing trips to Wigan, Leeds and St.Helens felt like entering the school sports hall to take an exam. It’s the ultimate test and over the years Salford’s success in these matches in my life time has been pretty sparse. It’s like taking your driving test or going for a job interview. You know your going to have to work for every inch and one momentary lapse will cost you big time.  Salford’s last away victory at St.Helens came in January 1980, almost three years before I was born so I never saw an away win at Knowsley Road. In the summer era Salford have come mightily close on a number of occasions to finally getting that win at the new ground Saints play at. At Knowsley Road it always felt like we were going there to keep the score down and if we did keep it below 30 points it was almost a moral victory and you came home sort of relived. I suppose it just shows how far Salford have come as a club in

Devil In The Detail SRD · Chris Bates talks Salford Ladies cup defeat and 9s with Whitesides world of rugby Salford Red Devils ladies suffered dramatic defeat in the challenge cup after a late try by Cardiff Demons broke Salford hearts. Sage Bannister started at Fullback in place of  Luci Mckeown, last years half back partnership between Demi Jones and Captain Louise Fellingham was reignited as Sam Evans was ruled out with a hamstring injury with both Fellingham and 2nd row Liana Liota recovered from a deep cuts against Featherstone meaning Liota played in the centre and Alex Simpson on the wing in place of the injured Kate Garry in the starting 13. Cardiff started the better  in the opening minute when stand-off Amberly Ruck looking dangerous finding a gap in the Salford defence, fortunately her pass was intercepted. On the next set of 6 tackles Salfords dummy half defence was unpicked by Ruck who sliced over for the opening score. Cardiff missed the conversion but the welsh ladies

Devil In The Detail SRD · Flying start for fan ownership scheme, what to do about the international game ?   Salford victories in this fixture have been a very rare occurrence. The solitary win of the 1970s came in February 1977. It was the Queens silver jubilee in the summer of that year and since then the Red Devils have recorded two away wins against Leeds. In a way it was quite ironic that last night’s victory and performance came on another Royal weekend and it was certainly a Royal performance to be proud of from Paul Rowley’s team. The travelling supporters soaked it up and enjoyed every second of it. It was a tight start to the match with early Salford pressure as the nervous looking Rhinos came up with errors. The Red Devils seemed a lot more resilient than of years gone by. There defence is tough and they went toe to toe with a talented Leeds team.  The opening quarter was dominated by solid defence from both teams. You could hear the full force of some of the tackles from

Devil In The Detail SRD · The Big Match chat with Paul Rowley and Chris Bates 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 an

Devil In The Detail SRD · The Big Match chat with Paul Rowley and Chris Bates   Well what a week or so it’s been! Perhaps we expected a nice quiet break with no match due to the international fixture between England and France but things were busier than ever for Salford Rugby League Club. Off the field over the last few decades their have been ups and downs. It’s the same for all sporting clubs but one thing is very much worth remembering. Salford RLFC continue to break boundaries, set trends and evolve through innovation, passion and togetherness through everybody involved with this proud and historic club. Towards the end of the 1960s Chairman Brian Snape was like the God Father of Salford Rugby. His forward thinking and wonderful business brain transformed the club into the place to be. A buzzing variety club and a team full of quality players made The Willows a rugby league Mecca that is still fondly talked about today. Snape set the benchmark for others to follow. This season t