Salford 10 Featherstone 30 Match report
Sage Bannister continued at Fullback, Liana Liota started on the wing replacing the absent Kate Garry with Debutant Aoife McKenna started on the interchange bench
Both sides were up for the fight with both showing aggression in attack and defence, Fev opened the scoring after stand-off Price found space and Centre Cloie Billington who strolled over for the 1st score of the afternoon after 9 minutes.
Two minutes later Rovers scored again another well worked move down the Fev right tore though the Salford defence again, Billington was in support to record her 2nd try. Featherstone lead 0-10.
Salford came back into the contest with a period of pressure, Scrum Half Demi Jones nearly found a way over the line after a sweeping Salford move as did Alex Simpson but both were denied by desperate Featherstone defence
Just as Salford were looking dangerous Featherstone delivered a sucker punch a high bomb by stand-off caused danger for Salford. The ball came loose Featherstone reacted quickest Brooke Price hacked the ball forward and got to the ball 1st to register the score.
Rovers senced it was a moment in the game and turned the screw and we’re rewarded with another try by diving over Tally Bryer with the score in the corner as our ladies tried desperately to stop the score.
Salford were wounded but continued to battle on another Jones kick was juggled by Winger Liota but under defensive pressure she was unable to score. Confidence grew thoughout the team as aggressive defence from the Red Devils caused errors from Rovers in dangerous areas.
With 5 minutes to play in the 1st half Salford were rewarded for all their pressing with a superb individual try by Sage Bannister. Collecting the ball from a scrum on Salfords 20 metre line she burst the Featherstone line and ran eighty metres chased by several Rovers defenders. Salfords fullback showed coolness and speed under pressure beating the covering Featherstone defenders and placing the ball between the posts much to the delight of the Salford faithful.
With Jones converting the try Salford went into half time trailing 6-26.
Salford came out in the 2nd half with a spring in their step. More pressure on the Fev line when Captain Louise Fellingham drubbed kicked though unfortunately the bounce evaded the Salford Chasers. Another sweeping Salford move nearly sent Liota in at the comer but again the Rovers defence just about prevented the score.
Featherstone weathered the storm and registered the 1st score of the 2nd half Charley Blackburn with the score. This only pushed the Salford team on after a error by Featherstone from kickoff Salford had territory and ball to test the Rovers defence.
Good work by Brogan Evans and a neat kick by Fellingham found Alex Simpson who collected the ball and scored Salfords 2nd try of the match. Alex was unable to convert her own try and the score was 10-26.
As the minutes counted down Salford piled on the pressure looking for another score, Forward Darcy Price went on a rampaging run skittling the Fev defence. This gave Salford opportunity but unfortunately winger Lauren Ellison was crowded out of field by a handful of Featherstone defenders.
Salford did manage to get over the Rovers line shortly after as Steph Gray picked up a loose ball but the referee adjudged that the ball had been lost and the points were chalked off.
Rovers completed the scoring late on with a second from Tally Bryer.
Salford battled thoughout, Featherstone are a good team who are among the favourites for the Super League 2 title this year and will be relieved they got the quick start which took the game away from Salford in the end.
Salford will be looking to bounce back on Sunday as they host Barrow on the community pitch midday kickoff.
Report by Rob Parkinson
Pictures by Melissa Chaplin
Comments
Post a Comment