Salford 64 NW Crusaders 4 Match report

 



Salford RLFC continued their charge towards a playoff spot with a convincing win against the North Wales Crusaders on Sunday.

Salford RLFC faced North Wales Crusaders at a cloudy but pleasant the Corpacq stadium, the game was built as the Salford RLFC Foundation take over day as kids from the surrounding area helped run the club on the match day.

There were also events outside the stadium with wheelchair rugby and rugby festivals taking place for the crowds to watch as they waited for the match to start.

It's a much changed Salford RLFC starting 17 with Owain Abel moving to Fullback and Kieran Dixon moving to the wing position. Lewis Pilling came back into the 17 after missing out last week and reigniting his partnership with Toby Hughes in the half's.

Riley Johnson a product of the Rising Stars program and Scholarship team in 2025 started on the bench.

It was a scruffy start to the game with both teams spilling the ball under pressure early on, after 10 minutes a half break by Lewis Pilling got the Crusaders back peddling but the danger went away.

Salford continued to build pressure a kick to the corner by Toby Hughes was taken by winger Lewis Holgate. Salford's 1st try came after 13 minutes when good running by prop forward Jack Bibby built a platform for hooker Joe Baldwin to scoot from the pay of the ball he found Toby Hughes who ran though the defence to score.

Kieran Dixon kicked the conversion and Salford lead 6-0.



A huge bomb by Hughes caused an error by Crusaders winger Joe Bradley and from the resulting scrum a strong run by Salford Loose forward Fin Yates set a platform, Hughes and Baldwin were involved again sending Callum Green over in the right corner in front of the Salford south stand. With Salford in the lead comfortably, Kieran Dixon kicked the conversion from the touchline and Salford were 12 in front after 18 minutes.

A penalty on Fin Yates for a high tackle gave Salford position to attack from again, half back Lewis Pilling reached over the line to keep the scoreboard ticking over for Dave Hewitt's men. Kieran Dixon kicked another conversion and Salford were 18-0 up after 22 minutes.

Salford's attack started to click into gear as Toby Hughes sliced though the Crusaders defence to score from 40 metres Dixon goaled again Salford were 24-0 up after 25 minutes.

From a scum lovey hands by Toby Hughes sent Jake Spedding racing over for his 1st Salford try from 25 metres, Dixon goaled again with 10 minutes go till half time.

A knock on by Jack Bibby from kick off gave the crusaders a opportunity, the scrum moves by the Crusaders put Salford under pressure but Salford's defence stood firm .Crusaders did get on the score sheet on 35 mins when good work by Ben Fisher sent Matthew Welham away feeding Lewis Holgate to score 30-4 as the conversion was missed.


Good running by 2nd row forward Oli Garmston and prop Forward Danny Lynch allowed another forward Cole Oakley to power over the line from close range with 3 minutes to go in the half. Dixon again goaled and as the hooter sounded for half time with Salford leading 36-6.

The second half started with Salford in control a strong running Danny Lynch put Salford in position a error from the kick by Crusaders allowed Owen Able to pounce and score his 2nd try of the game. 42-4.

Good running my Danny Lynch again provided the platform for Abel to feed centre Jake Spedding for his 2nd try of the game. 46-4 after 50 minutes.

Toby Hughes was dictating operations for Salford now, a towering kick caused chaos in the Crusaders defence, the ball bounced it was picked up by Cole Oakley who fed Joe Baldwin who scored from 10 metres. Kieran Dixon goaled again and Salford brought up the half century 52-4.

A mistake by Crusaders gave Salford territory deep in the crusaders half, from the scrum Abel was prevented from scoring by some desperate Crusaders defence.


Both sides at this point of the game with 20 minutes to go settled into a arm wrestle. Fin Yates went close before forward Owen Haldenby powered over the line from close range to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Dixon missed the conversion 56-4. Haldenby scored again shortly after good work by Hughes and Pilling sending him rampaging over from 30 metres and Dixon goaled.

Riley Johnson who came though the Salford rising starts program made his debut with 10 minutes remaining and in the dying embers of the game had a couple of opportunities to score, unfortunately he was denied his Roy of the Rovers moment by some desperate Crusaders defence.

Cole Oakley who was strong though out made a break fed Johnson who gave it to Abel who set up Pilling for his 2nd try.

Riley Johnson missed with the difficult conversion at 64-4.

The game finished and Salford took the points, Salford stay 11th the table level on points with Dewsbury in 10th. As a Salford fan who witnessed his team being destroyed last year, to see the club  rebuild from the bottom up and to be competing week in week out is a joy!

We sit just outside the playoffs in 11th place, players and staff don't want to really talk about the chance of a Playoff finish, it would be tough for Salford to reach the playoff's with games against top opponents to come but as a supporter the more time goes on and more wins like this one you just never know what will happen at the end of the season.


Salford 64 NW Crusaders 4


Match report by Rob Parkinson

Pictures by Gaz Lyons

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