Salford RLFC 24 Sheffield 30 Match report

 

It was another warm and sunny day at the Corpacq Stadium as Salford RLFC welcomed Sheffield Eagles.

Salford had Jake Thewlis in the team on loan from Warrington and Shaun Costello back at Loose Forward after a few weeks out injured and Joe Hartley also returned to the centre position.

It was a conservative start from both sides as the sun beat down from the sky above, With both sides in the arm wrestle. Salford opened the scoring after 10 minutes good work by Brad Dwyer around the ruck cut Sheffield Eagles defence to ribbons and crashed over to the delight of the Salford faithful in the South Stand. Kieran Dixon missed the conversion and Salford lead 4-0.



A short kick off from Sheffield was a positive act from them and good Work by Jordan Abdul sent winger and ex Salford player Billy Walkley over for their 1st score of the game, Another ex Red Kai Morgan converted and Sheffield lead 4-6 after 15 minutes.

Salford cranked the pressure and a good kick by Brad Dwyer caused chaos, a knock on by Sheffield winger Ryan Millar, from  the resulting scum Salford tested the Sheffield defence once again and were 



rewarded  when Cameron Bate powered over from close range to score, Kieran Dixon converted and Salford lead 10-6 after 22 minutes.

Sheffield hit back straight away with a big of genius from their start man, a High kick by Jordan Abdul Salford defence were unable to deal with it, the ball was dropped back into Abduls hands and he was reward with a try, Kai Morgan converted again and the Eagles lead 10-12 after 27 minutes.

This spurred Dave Hewitt's men on, A fantastic break by Owain Abel gave Salford position and Standoff Toby Hughes fed Winger Callum Green who showed some great athletic prowess by dived over the corner to give Salford the lead again after 32 minutes, Dixon missed the conversion.

Sheffield Eagles knew that their main threat so far had come from the sky, Another high kick by Sheffield caused panic in the Salford defence and Sheffield Centre Keiron Gill was on hand to touch down for Sheffield, Kai Morgan missed the goal.



A error from kick off by Sheffield gave Salford good field position. After a short Sheffield restart failed to Salford tested the Sheffield line, the ball was moved left to right Oli Garmston with a superb offload sent Jake Thewlis over for the try. Kieran Dixon missed the conversion from the touchline but as the hooter sounded the crowd cheered and Salford lead 18-16 at the break.

Salford needed a strong 2nd half, it started well as Sheffield Winger Billy Walkley knocked on giving Salford position and possession from a scrum. Salford pressed with both Kieron Dixon and Toby Hughes examining the desperate Sheffield defence, unfortunately The Reds were unable to break though the Sheffield defence this time.

Momentum swung back Sheffields way, A knock on by Kieran Dixon allowed Sheffield to attack the Salford line from 20 metres out, a high tackle by Salford gave Kia Morgan the opportunity to kick a penalty which he did and 18-18 46 minutes gone.

Salford struck back straight away, good hands by Joe Hartley sent Callum Green racing down the touchline, with the Sheffield defence closing in he kicked back inside the field, the Sheffield defence back peddling, Salford chasers raced after the ball, a awkward bounce took 3 player out of the race but the ball sat up nicely allowing Joe Baldwin, he grabbed the opportunity to Score under the posts, Kieran Dixon converted the try and Salford lead 24-18 after 10 minutes of the 2nd half.



Going into the last 20 minutes of the contest it was anybody's game still.

A crucial moment in the game was the next Sheffield Try, another kick tested the Salford's defence, they was unable to deal with it and Joe Brown was alert enough to put the ball down for the Eagles, Morgan goaled and Sheffield were level again at 24-24.

Brad Dwyer returned to the field at this point looking to rally his troops with one more effort.

Sheffield pressed again and tested the Salford line, from a scrum 10 metres out gave The Eagles a opportunity unfortunately for Sheffield Reece Butterworth lost the ball in contact with the line at his mercy and Salford with Forward Reece Stanton raced away with it.

Of the back of that huge defensive effort, Salford attacked again, good work by Joe Baldwin gave Salford territory to attack form but unfortunately Shaun Costello was unable to find a way though the tough Sheffield defence.

In the dying moments of the game Sheffield came up with the crutial moment, rolling down the field it looked like they weere opened up and looking a drop a goal, but it was Stand off and former Salford player Kai Morgan who cut though the defence fed loose forward Harry Bowes to gave it back to Morgan who stepped and belly flopped over the line under the posts to send the Eagles fans into raptures. Abdul kicked the conversion and Sheffield lead 24-30 with 7 minutes to go.

Salford roared forward testing the Sheffield defencive line it looked like Centre Joe Hartley was certain to score but some outstanding defence by Will Oakes prevented the score with 2 mins to go.

With the clock counting down Sheffield were given a penalty, Jordan Abdul used all this experience taking his time to line up the kick he did miss but time ran out for Salford.


It was a very good game, both teams had their moments, Dave Hewitt Salford RLFC head coach will be pleased with the performance against another top Championship team, like the Barrow game a couple of weeks back Salford had chances to win the game but the experience of their opponents on how to see a game out was the difference today.

Next week Salford host London, another tough challenge, if Dave Hewitt's men can come up with another good performance they may be able to buck the Broncos on Sunday.

Salford 24 Sheffield 30

Match report by Rob Parkinson

Pictures by Gaz Lyons


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