Salford RLFC 20 Barrow Raiders 22 Match report

 

Salford RLFC suffered late heart ache as Barrow Raiders took the points with a late controversial penalty, but Dave Hewitt's men will gain confidence going forward from pushing a top championship team all the way.

The last few days in Salford had been roasting hot, Sunday however despite the sun bathing the Corqac Stadiums pitch and blue skys above the temperate had dipped somewhat but the fans on the terrace were still hoping for some red hot action on the field.

Salford starting line up had a few changes in with Toby Hughes coming back in after missing last weeks game he was partnered with Owain Abel in the Half's, Lewis Pilling was selected as 18^th man. Sam Bowing and Shaun Costello were absent with Danny Lynch promoted to the starting 13 in the front row and Cameron Bate playing loose forward. Fin Yates returned to the starting 17 from the bench.

As the teams walked out on to the field, Dave Hewitt's men knew Sunday was going to be a tough challenge, defeat against Barrow previously at the beginning of the season was seen as a lesson learnt in Salford's baptism of fire in the championship, was this game going to be different?

Early pressure from kick off allowed Barrow to create a overlap but Salford Centre Jake Spedding shot out of line to defuse the danger.

Salford got into the arm wrestle testing Barrows defence, they were rewarded when mazy run from Brad Dwyer put Salford in good field position and Owain Abel stepped his way though a static Barrow defence for the 1^st score of the game after 8 minutes. Fullback Kieran Dixon kicked the conversion and Salford lead 6-0.

A error from kick off by Salford allowing the ball to go dead Barrow started to try to take advantage of their opportunity but a combination of good defence and a error from Barrow stopped the score.

Salford were growing in confidence, Toby Hughes with a half break gave Salford territory but a grubber kick by Keiran Dixon was easily defused by the Barrow defence.

For the the next 10 minutes both sides traded sets, a high tackle by Salford allowed Barrow to get their big forwards rolling forward and on 20 minutes Barrow recorded their 1^st try of the game when Luke Cresswell powered over despite some heroic Salford defending. Standoff Bradley Walker kicked the conversion and the scores were tied at 6-6.

Salford looked to get back on the front foot with good work by Toby Hughes, Brad Dwyer and 2^nd row Oli Garmston allowed Salford to build some pressure but Barrow held firm defensively. The game opened up briefly when Luke Creswell made a break but the pass to Bradley Walker was judge forward by the referee.

Salford built pressure again, teasing the the Barrow defensive line and were rewarded, Great hands by Joe Hartley sent winger Keane Gilford over in the corner with a acrobatic finish after 27 minutes. Keiran Dixon goaled and Salford lead 12-6.

There was a bit of the Melly after the score with both sets of players coming together mostly pushing as shoving both Brad Dwyer and and Bradley Walker were sent to cool of in the stands and both teams were down to 12 men.

Salford nearly took advance of the extra space on the field when Salford half back Owain Able grubber kicked though the Barrow defence Oli Garmston was unable to ground the ball as Luke Cresswell kicked dead.

From the resulting drop out Salford built more pressure and were rewarded when 2^nd row forward Oli Garmston dived over the line. Kieran Dixon goaled and with 8 minutes to go in the 1^st half Salford lead 18-6.

As the clock ticked towards half time Barrow forced a drop out and were rewarded when winger and son of former Salfod fullback Gary Luke Broadbent stretched over in the corner with 3 minutes to go to half time.

Barrow goaled and it was 18-12 Salford.

A Knock on by Barrow from the restart gave Salford a scum deep in Barrow Territory, Joe Baldwin was held up over the line after a jinking run and Barrow held on to half time.

2^nd half Salford started brightly testing the Barrow defence, a six again was forced but unfortunately Barrow weathered the storm, a couple of penalties shortly after against Salford gave Barrow territory thankfully for Salford a strong tackle by Cole Oakley forced a error and Salford came away with the ball.

Salford were determined to test the Barrow defence speeding up the play, this had Barrow back peddling, Reece Stanton, Brad Dwyer and Toby Hughes again created a opportunity for Callum Green who kicked the ball dead.

Barrow fought back minutes later after some good attacking forced a drop out, Salford indiscipline created a six again for Barrow and this resulted in a try by a 2^nd try for Luke Broadbent in the corner, the conversion was good by Brad Walker and after 18 minutes of the 2^nd half the scores were tied up at 18-18.

A error by Barrow from kick off gave Salford good field position to attack from, pressure was built which result in penalty to Salford which Kieran Dixon kicked and Salford lead 20-18

Salford cranked the pressure more on Barrow good work by Toby Hughes nearly sent Kieran Dixon over, a penalty conceded by Barrow was their only defence from that attack, from the resulting set of 6 tackles a kick by Toby Hughes caused chaos which resulted in another drop out .Barrows defence was on the rack but they muscled up and stopped Salford scoring this time.

A high tackle on Toby Hughes gave Salford some much needed field position which resulted in another Barrow drop out when a Brad Dwyer kick looked destined for Garmston but Barrow kicked the ball dead again . Salford cranked the pressure again but a Owain Abel kick was defused by a Barrow defence working overtime.

Salford's attack were coming regularly now a error and a penalty by Barrow gave Salford more territory Both Dwyer and Garmston went close but the raiders line held firm once again., Brad Dwyer's afternoon finished prematurely after receiving a knock and with 7 minutes to go it looked like a grand stand finish with both sides in the contest.

A bomb by Creswell caused chaos in the Salford defence but the referee judge off side against Barrow in the chase. Salford were still in good form and a Good attack by Salford but Alfie Leake lost the ball in a heavy tackle as the line approached.

Next moment in this tight contest was a penalty for Barrow giving them good territory and opportunity as  the ball was thrown at a retreating Joe Baldwin and the penalty was given.

Bradley Walker kicked the penalty and with 3 minutes to go it was 20-20.

Late in the contest a crucial moment swung the contest Barrows way, Salford prop forward Jack Bibby who had been outstanding during the 80 minutes was judged to have interfered in a tackle, despite protests from everyone in the ground the referees decision stood  Barrow stand off Bradley Walker converted the penalty from 30 metres and Barrow were in front for the 1^st time in the contest 20-22 with seconds remaining.

Salford tried one final effort to get over the line unfortunately a grubber kick by Toby Hughes with the chasers in hot pursuit didn't find its target and Barrow came away with the win. The game finished on a sour note as Barrow players seemed to want to over celebrate their victory which upset the fans.

A defeat for Dave Hewitt's men against a top championship team, the boys gave everything and push the Cumbrians all the way in a real tough contest, they should be happy with the performance, This team has continued to develop as the season has gone on showed pride in the shirt today, and asked Barrow lots of questions. Supporters cheered the players off in defeat today because they are proud of their team .

Next game at the Copaq stadium Salford welcome North Wales Crusaders on Sunday.

Report by Rob Parkinson

Pictures by Gaz Lyons