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The old railway end of Castleford’s Wheldon Road ground was quite a sight as Paul Rowley’s Salford side charged out for kick off in this crucial penultimate match of the regular season. A vocal travelling army had made the journey up the M62 to a ground that has seen plenty of let downs and disappointing days for Salford over the years. Could this be the day to lay a few ghosts to rest and stride proudly into the top six? Although the pitch was a short one it looked in fantastic condition prior to kick off and the fever pitch atmosphere generated by both sets of supporters was absolutely electric. After a hard working victory over Hull on Thursday night Rowley kept faith with the majority of the side. He did make a few subtle changes. Dan Sarginson came in on the wing for Rhys Williams. King Vuniyayawa returned to the side from a long injury lay off and started the match. Shane Wright also made the starting thirteen with Alex Gerrard on the bench. The first points came from the boot of...

Devil In The Detail SRD · French fancies, Stuart Wilkinson, Chinese Proverbs and "ULL FC"  Salford Red Devils ladies continued their fantastic form with a strong performance and win at home to Hull FC. Alex Simpson started at Fullback in place of Luci Mckeown, Brogan Evans started in the centre and Sarina Tamou continued at Loose Forward. Hull started with  French international loanees Margot Canal and Anais Fourcroy on the wing and in the centre. Salford started well moving the ball around testing the Hull defence and opened the scoring when England international Sarina Tamou powered her way over from close range to give Salford ladies the lead. Hull asked questions of Salford defence when the ball was moved wide and a grubber kicked though from half way by Laura Anderson put Salfords defence on alert, it was organised and the danger passed. Kate Garry went close when a Demi Jones kick bounced in goal but the Salford winger was unable to gather and score. Salfords forward ...

Devil In The Detail SRD · French fancies, Stuart Wilkinson, Chinese Proverbs and "ULL FC" Over the years these two sides have met in big cup matches on a number of occasions. Castleford have had the upper hand with a Wembley win in 1969, the following seasons of 1970 and 71 they put a stop to Salford’s cup run at Wheldon Road. The Tigers won a cup Quarter final between the two sides in 1999 and who could forget the golden point match at Headingley in 2021 which Cas agonisingly edged over the Red Devils. I know this match isn’t technically a Cup tie but it’s got that feel to it. The winner of this will take a place off spot leaving the losing side relying on Leeds to drop points in their final two matches. Castleford, Salford and Leeds can all make the playoffs in any combination. One of the three will miss out though and Monday should be a fever pitch atmosphere. Salford had to work hard on Thursday night to beat Hull. The Airlie Birds came with a solid game plan and minds...

Devil In The Detail SRD · French fancies, Stuart Wilkinson, Chinese Proverbs and "ULL FC"   After some cracking results of late Salford came into Thursday nights match with Hull as clear favourites. It seemed like the Red Devils were starting to get the respect they deserve this season. The club work on a modest budget and have a humble way of going about their business.  Visitors Hull had made a good start to 2022 and when the two sides met on Humberside back in February Salford were thrashed 48-16. A lot has happened since then though. The Airlie Birds have struggled to find form and just like Salford they’ve been hampered by injuries. Hull had won two from their last ten matches conceding 60 points on three occasions over the last two months.  Paul Rowley and his Salford side knew their destiny lay firmly on their own shoulders. They didn’t need to rely on anyone else to make the top six. With three matches to go though the pressure was on and prior to kick off their...

Devil In The Detail SRD · French fancies, Stuart Wilkinson, Chinese Proverbs and "ULL FC"   How are you feeling with three games to go? Excited? Nervous? Either way it’s a great time to be a Salford supporter and ten games into the season I don’t think I saw these performances coming!  I don’t think it’s just the winning games but the manner of the victories that have taken many by surprise. Last Saturday Catalans Dragons we’re completely dismantled on their own ground by a Salford side playing the best rugby in the country! Once again the tries were sensational and however poor Dragons coach Steve McNamara thought his side played perhaps it’s because Salford didn’t let them play!  I didn’t see that score line coming either! Anything seems possible now this season but with three matches to play Paul Rowley and his team won’t be looking past this weeks opponents Hull.  The Airlie Birds always seem to be fancied by the the pundits at the start of every season. They s...

Devil In The Detail SRD · Giants beaten, Ladies record score as Reds prepare to sing and dance in France  It was a super Saturday for Salford Red Devils reserves as they beat Warrington Wolves in a pulsating encounter at the  AJ Bell. Head Coach Stuart Wilkinson started with Jacob Lee in the 2nd row and Matty Unsworth at Loose forward, Jack Stevens, Finn Yates and Chris Worrell started on the bench. Warrington opened the scoring after 3 minutes when Winger Oliver Brooks  squeezed over in the corner. Standoff Ben Tyrer converted and the Wolves lead 6-0, Salford hit back 7 minutes later good work by scrum half Mathew Rudd sent forward Mathew Unsworth over the line for Salford's 1st score of the afternoon. Fullback Josh Rourke converted to tie the scores at 6-6. Salford took the lead on 15 minutes when Toby Hughes found space in the Warrington defence and fed 2nd row forward Henry Davis who crashed over from 20m. with another conversion by Rourke Salford lead 12-6. It was ...

Devil In The Detail SRD · Giants beaten, Ladies record score as Reds prepare to sing and dance in France The Super League traffic jam is becoming chockablock as the dash for the top six seems to get tighter week after week. Before we chat about that let’s just look back to last Saturday. Once again Salford blew away another top side with a sizzling first half performance. Five tries before the break dismantled the Giants. The attacking rugby on show from the Red Devils was sensational. Every time they were in possession anything seemed possible. The forward pack laid the foundations and hooker Andy Ackers ran his blood to water for the full eighty minutes.  The match with Huddersfield last week was broadcast live on Channel Four television. I watched the game back the following day and the coverage was first class. The commentary team and the pundits were a breath of fresh air talking the sport up full of positivity. Adam Hills did a fantastic job presenting and the two features ...