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   Salford City Reds 10 Wigan Warriors 16
by Nigel Roberts
Salford City Stadium 24th January 2012 After a disappointing display against Leigh and an improved performance against Halifax, the Reds faced their sternest test so far when they faced last year’s Challenge Cup winners Wigan Warriors. The Reds were at full strength and took to the field in their resplendent green alternative strip and to the strains of Ride of the Valkyries. A promising run by winger Danny Williams came to nothing early in the game before the visitors snatched the lead when some slick handling enabled points machine Pat Richards to score in the corner. He was unable to add the conversion from almost touch (0-4). A couple of smart kicks from Matty Smith got the Reds close to the Wigan line but the danger was snuffed out. The Reds though drew level in the 27th minute when a great lobbed pass by Daniel Holdsworth was snapped up by Williams who crashed over unopposed close to the corner-flag (4-4). Early in the second-half the Reds lost Vinny Anderson who left the field concussed after hitting the ground head first in a tackle. Both teams tested each other’s defences but neither could find a way through until Wigan broke the deadlock on the hour when they quickly turned defence into attack with Sam Tomkins cutting inside the Reds defence to scoot over to score. Richards added the conversion for a 4-10 lead. As the game wore on the wet conditions led to a number of knock-ons from both sides. The Reds continued to impress as they attacked the Wigan line and also put in some sterling work on defence. In the 76th minute Wigan sealed victory when Liam Farrell sliced the through to race thirty yards to score. Richards added the extras for a flattering 4-16 lead. With just seconds remaining the Reds scored their second try of the evening when the new slim-line Iafeta Palea’easina launched himself on a twenty yards blockbusting run to score by the posts. Holdsworth added the conversion for a 10-16 final scoreline. Coach Phil Veivers was pleased with his side’s performance: “We upped the ante on last week’s game again. We spoke about pride in our performance before the game and we kept reiterating that trial games are supposed to test us. "We have changed structures throughout the club which takes a while and I don’t think we will be the complete article until Round 6 or so. We showed great scrambling defence. We held them out on three occasions where we did really, really well to do so. Now we have 10 days until Castleford. At the moment we have full fitness and no injuries.” The first Salford Super League clash of the season will be against Castleford Tigers at the Salford City Stadium on Saturday 4th February 2012. Kick-off is 5.45pm. Salford: Patten, Williams, Gibson, Moon, Broughton, Holdsworth, Smith, James, Godwin, Jewitt, Adamson, Anderson, Wild. Subs: Nero, Palea’aesina, Gledhill, Howarth, Veivers. Ref: Mr R Isherwood Due to problems with spam only SalfordOnline members can now leave comments. Becoming a member of SalfordOnline only takes a minute, just hit the red Join Us button at the top right hand side of the page to create your Personal account. Got a news story? Need help with publicity for an event in Salford? Send it to newsdesk@salfordonline.com or call the SalfordOnline newsdesk on 0161 789 5377. |
