Salford ladies 8 Cardiff 12 Match report
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 were infront 0-4.
In this pulsating cup tie the Demons tested the Salford defence with Winger Eleri Mitchel slicing though, Salfords Sage Bannister tracked across the field and pulled of a fantastic tackle to prevent the score.
After weathering the early pressure Salford started to produce the style of rugby which gave them such success last season. Big carries by all the forwards made for a fascinating battle with the Welsh full of strong runs and big hits. Neather pack took a backward step it was riviting viewing.
Salfords attacking threat early on came from their halfbacks, Jones grubber kicking through for Fellingham who was leavered of the ball and the danger went away.
The Demons who are back to back South Super League champions were not to be intimidated by Salford attacking flair and created chances themselves but Salfords trademark grit and heroic defence in front of their own posts stopped Sophie Peters from registering a score.
10 minutes before half time, pressure was applied by Salford, Demi Jones high kicking game came into play late in the 1st half. A measured kick creating a chance for GB Teachers centre Alex Simpson, the ball bobbled back into Jones hands another kick created a foot race between Simpson and Cardiff Captain and Fullback Leanne Burnell. It was close as the ball bobbled towards the try line but it was Burnell who won the race and the chance went away.
A minute before half time Salford got the score they deserved, big carries by Tamou and Liota created space for a sweeping move across the field caused chaos in the Cardiff defence Sage Bannister with a peach of a pass to send Centre Steph Gray over for the score.Demi Jones missed the kick and as the whistle sounded for half time Salford trailed by 2 points.
Salford had momentum going into the 2nd half a teasing kick by Captain Fellingham had the Demons back peddling Steph Gray nearly got on the end of the kick but instead forced a drop out.
The Gray / Bannister partnership which had combined to register Salfords opening score nearly paid dividends again shortly after. A sweeping move created a opportunity unfortunately a offload by Bannister drifted frustratingly away from Gray
Salford had the wind in their sails and Taz Cocoran jumped out of dummy half 20 metres from the Demons line looked to pass to Simpson for the score unfortunately winger Sophie Peters was there to kill the play and defuse the danger.
Salfords attack was starting to click but Cardiff showed how dangerous they are pouncing on a loose ball and racing up the other end of the field with Ruck, it was only a heroic defensive effort by Fellingham which forced Cardiff stand-off Ruck to throw the ball forward when she had players in support. Salford breathed a sigh on relief.
Cardiff grew in confidence from this and again tested Salfords defence, Viki Kini with a try saving tackle on a rampaging Cardiff prop Lauren Aitkin and fullback Bannister sweeping up a grubber kick by Rhia Parker as it looked a certain try for Cardiff were the highlights in this period.
In the 1st half the Demi Jones Alex Simpson kicking link up had been denied by a dodgy bobble of the ball and Cardiff Fullback Burnells defensive heroics but this time it was perfectly executed as Simpson went over in corner to score from a Jones grubber kick. Salford lead 8-4 after the conversion was missed with 17 minutes to go.
Both teams had half chances in the next ten minutes, both sets of forwards refused to take a backward step as the energy tanks began to run empty.
The challenge cup historically creates late drama for teams and in close games like this one sometimes hearts are broken as the cup seems to be wisked away despite your best efforts.
With 3 minutes to go Cardiff got a penalty clearing their lines, pressure was built and Lauren Aitkin burst the Salford line from close range for the winning score.Salford rallied in the dying moments but the Demons held on.
It was a reaily good cup tie both sets of players played their part, despite defeat Chris Bates ladies will learn a lot from both games in the Challenge Cup and take it forward into Super League 2.
Salford 8 Cardiff 12TriesA Simpson S Gray
Match report by Rob ParkinsonPictures by Marrissa Chaplin.
Salford had momentum going into the 2nd half a teasing kick by Captain Fellingham had the Demons back peddling Steph Gray nearly got on the end of the kick but instead forced a drop out.
The Gray / Bannister partnership which had combined to register Salfords opening score nearly paid dividends again shortly after. A sweeping move created a opportunity unfortunately a offload by Bannister drifted frustratingly away from Gray
Salford had the wind in their sails and Taz Cocoran jumped out of dummy half 20 metres from the Demons line looked to pass to Simpson for the score unfortunately winger Sophie Peters was there to kill the play and defuse the danger.
Salfords attack was starting to click but Cardiff showed how dangerous they are pouncing on a loose ball and racing up the other end of the field with Ruck, it was only a heroic defensive effort by Fellingham which forced Cardiff stand-off Ruck to throw the ball forward when she had players in support. Salford breathed a sigh on relief.
Cardiff grew in confidence from this and again tested Salfords defence, Viki Kini with a try saving tackle on a rampaging Cardiff prop Lauren Aitkin and fullback Bannister sweeping up a grubber kick by Rhia Parker as it looked a certain try for Cardiff were the highlights in this period.
In the 1st half the Demi Jones Alex Simpson kicking link up had been denied by a dodgy bobble of the ball and Cardiff Fullback Burnells defensive heroics but this time it was perfectly executed as Simpson went over in corner to score from a Jones grubber kick. Salford lead 8-4 after the conversion was missed with 17 minutes to go.
Both teams had half chances in the next ten minutes, both sets of forwards refused to take a backward step as the energy tanks began to run empty.
The challenge cup historically creates late drama for teams and in close games like this one sometimes hearts are broken as the cup seems to be wisked away despite your best efforts.
With 3 minutes to go Cardiff got a penalty clearing their lines, pressure was built and Lauren Aitkin burst the Salford line from close range for the winning score.Salford rallied in the dying moments but the Demons held on.
It was a reaily good cup tie both sets of players played their part, despite defeat Chris Bates ladies will learn a lot from both games in the Challenge Cup and take it forward into Super League 2.
Salford 8 Cardiff 12TriesA Simpson S Gray
Match report by Rob ParkinsonPictures by Marrissa Chaplin.
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