Batley 16 Salford 18 Match report

 



Salford RLFC finished their 1st season in the Championship with fantastic victory against Batley at Mount Pleasant.

There was no major surprises in the Salford starting 17 with Jack Homes on the wing, Kieran Dixon at Fullback, Fin Yates in the front row and Damola Lola on the bench.

There was early worry for Salford RLFC as Charlie Glover left the field with a head knock, he did return later in game, Salford opened the scoring after 9 minutes after good work by the Salford pack particular 2nd row forward Reece Stanton with a strong run allowing Brad Dyer to go short side from the play of the ball 10 metres out he sent centre Joe Hartley over in the corner. Kieran Dixon converted the try and Salford lead 6-0.


Batley looked to strike back with a immediate response, after The Bulldogs built some pressure of their own a little kick though by caused Jack Bibby to push the ball dead for a drop out, this action resulted in a bit of a ruck with several players involved, eventually when peace was restored on 14 minutes the referee decided to sin bin Batley's Evan Hodgson

Batley were down to 12 men but this did not stop them from getting back into the contest two minutes later when Ben White found Joe Burton with along pass and the winger went over in the corner. Ben Reynolds converted from the touchline and the score was 6-6.

Batley had momentum and scored again after 22 minutes a high kick to the corner by Ben Reynolds allowed Oliver Greensmith to rise above a standing Salford defence and place the ball down in the other corner of the field, Reynold was wide with conversion attempt but Batley lead 10-6.

Salford were under the pump and Batley were searching for more opportunities, some strong defensive efforts kept the Bulldogs at bay their only reward in this period was a penalty by Reynolds which made the score 12-6

Salford's defensive efforts gave the team confidence going forward, opportunities for Brad Dwyer who went close with a trade mark dart from dummy half run and a teasing grubber kick by Lewis Pilling causing distress in the Batley defence, only a very good ball pick up by fullback Robbie Butterworth stopped Salford going level.

Salford did go level after 33 minutes however when good work from Jack Bibby and the Salford forward pack going down the hill gave Salford territory and Toby Hughes sliced though the Batley defence to score from 10 metre, Kieran Dixon goaled and again both sides were level.

As the seconds ticked down in the 1st half Salford winger Jack Homes seemed pick up a knee injury after a Salford counter attack, he was helped off the field as the half time hooter sounded.

Salford were attacking up the hill at Batley in the 2nd half and with the scores level it it would be a pressure cooker moment going into the final 40 minutes of the season.

The 1st 1o minutes of the 2nd half Batley dominated field position and tested the right hand side of the Salford defence with challenging 5th tackle kicks, they were rewarded after 47 minutes when former Salford winger Derrell Olpherts collected a bouncing ball and scored in the corner, Ben Reynolds converted and Barrow lead 16-12.

3 minutes later the Challenge got even harder for Salford as hooker Brad Dwyer saw yellow and was put in the sin bin for 10 minutes, this seemed to galvanise Dave Hewitt's men, down to 12 men going up hill many would have thought this may be the moment the game slipped away, now wrong they were. Strong runs by Reece Stanton and his fellow forwards got Salford in position and they put Batley under the pump with 3 back to back sets, Toby Hughes was the tormentor and chief with Batley resorting to a short kick off to try and get the ball back, unfortunately for them the ball took a nasty bounce and nearly bounced into a Joe Hartley's hands but the Batley defence stood firm.

Salford did not get rewarded in this period of the game with a try but it felt that the momentum of the game had shifted the way of the Reds, with the team full of running in defence and attack many could smell something was coming.

And on 68 minutes the moment came a try for Salford Stand off Toby Hughes which capped off a great season for him and a moment to remember for the supporters packed in the stand at the top of the hill. Salford were attacking 20m out Hughes saw the opportunity with a Chip and Chase effort the ball stood up for him and despite a gaggle of Batley defenders he swan dived over the line in the corner sending the Salford fans celebrating mad hat day wild

A Kieran Dixon goal made it 16-18 to Salford and fans started to believe it was Salford day,

On 71 minutes Batley thought they had snatched the lead back but a kick by Ben White though the Salford defence was grounded by Reynolds but out of bounds and the Salford faithful breathed again

Salford still were hunting for points as Lewis Pilling and Joe Baldwin combined but some strong Batley defence defused the danger.

Batley were getting desperate, there play became disjointed as they moved the ball from wing to wing looking for tired Salford bodies to exploit, with 5 minutes to go Salford's defence ramped up with strong organised defensive efforts preventing Batley gaining momentum, a brief moment of panic set in when fullback Butterworth looked like he was going to score but a forward pass from the Batley Winger Joe Burton  as he patted the ball back in field was spotted by the referee and a huge sigh of relief from the Salford faithful as the seconds ticked away.

In the dying seconds it looked like Batley might have snatched the win again as they rampaged down Salford left hand side from a drop out only for heroics from Joe Hartley, Kieran Dixon and Lewis Pilling among other who didn't panic and made the tackles which prevented the score as the hooter sounded.


A Salford win 16-18 will go down as one to remember, Our 1st 12 months as a new club in the championship has been a journey, from creating a club in 2 weeks to finishing 12th in the division on 16 points must go down as one of Salford Rugby's best seasons, The players must be applauded for their efforts though out the season, they too have had to endure some harsh lessons on the field but have grown off the back of them.

Dave Hewitt the head coach has been superb since his mid season appointment, his passion and philosophy on what a good strong rugby team is there for all to see, with a full pre season in 2027 and more experienced players like Marc Sneyd at his disposal Salford fans will be wondering what is next for them and the club in 2027.


Final Score

Batley 16

Salford 18

Match report by Rob Parkinson

Pictures by Steve Mccormick

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