Salford v Warrington.
Well Saturday’s trip to London was quite a mission. Despite the traffic, hustle and bustle of the Capital it was a very enjoyable day. The Broncos have a wonderful setup at Plough Lane and everyone I met there seemed very polite and welcoming. The match was a very testing one. We didn’t see the swashbuckling rugby league we enjoy under Paul Rowley and that’s credit to the Broncos who forced plenty of errors out of Salford. The Red Devils lacked composure and that cutting edge on attack but to defend the way they did conceding just four points was a super effort. King Vuniyayawa was pretty clumsy in his challenge that saw him sent off but I thought that decision was very harsh and he’s escaped a ban which is a positive for this week.
I think I’ve said it before but an ugly victory is much better than a glorious defeat. Take the Wigan home game for example. The team played fantastic that night before a disappointing final few minutes and got nothing. To come away from London with two points was a job well done. Obviously we need to improve for this week against an in form Warrington side who are playing some tremendous rugby under Sam Burgess.
The Wolves showed a fantastic spirit to beat St.Helens in the Challenge Cup a few weeks ago and have six wins from eight games so far with impressive wins on the road at Leeds and Hull Kingston Rovers. Ironically Warrington’s two league defeats have both come against Catalans.
Burgess has some excellent young players in a side blessed with plenty of pace. Matty Ashton, Connor Wrench and Josh Thewlis will be a massive threat this weekend and Matt Dufty at fullback can also be a handful. At hooker Danny Walker is fast becoming one of the best mines in the country and Paul Vaughn is a powerhouse in the pack.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon arrived in the close season from Newcastle Knights and he is proving to be an inspirational signing. He’s a big athletic back rower with plenty of pace and will be a threat running the channels.
Super League home record.
Salford 13
Draws 0
Warrington 15
1997 Salford 26 Warrington 14
1998 Salford 14 Warrington 25
1999 Salford 22 Warrington 26
1999 Salford 42 Warrington 26
2000 Salford 31 Warrington 12
2001 Salford 26 Warrington 18
2002 Salford 31 Warrington 18
2004 Salford 18 Warrington 37
2004 Salford 6 Warrington 32
2005 Salford 42 Warrington 10
2006 Salford 35 Warrington 34
2007 Salford 32 Warrington 34
2007 Salford 26 Warrington 32
2009 Salford 18 Warrington 16
2010 Salford 10 Warrington 27
2011 Salford 0 Warrington 60
2012 Salford 48 Warrington 24
2013 Salford 4 Warrington 46
2014 Salford 12 Warrington 28
2015 Salford 16 Warrington 34
2016 Salford 30 Warrington 31
2017 Salford 24 Warrington 14
2018 Salford 6 Warrington 22
2019 Salford 22 Warrington 6
2020 Salford 20 Warrington 18
2021 Salford 18 Warrington 62
2022 Salford 14 Warrington 32
2023 Salford 24 Warrington 20
They played for both.
Here are a few players to wear the red of Salford and the primrose and blue of Warrington.
Vinny Anderson, Richie Barnett, Steve Blakeley, Martin Crompton, John Duffy, Phil Ford, Martin Gleeson, Andy Gregory, Danny Halliwell, Neil Harmon, Alan Hunte, David Highton, Danny Lima, Tyrone McCarthy, Francis Maloney, Adrian Morley, Chris Morley, Ben Murdoch Masila, Richie Myler, Adam Neal, Gareth O Brien, Rob Parker, Stefan Ratchford, Stuart Reardon, Ian Sibbit, Kevin Tamati, Mike Wainwright, Lama Tasi and John Wilshere.
A match to remember Saturday 11 August 2006.
Salford City Reds 35 Warrington 34.
2006 was a special season for Salford and the supporters. The club had made real progress under coach Karl Harrison playing some thrilling Rugby League both home and away. 7 league victories out of the first 9 matches had set the platform for a high position in the league. It was a 5th place finish at the end of the regular season achieving a spot in the playoffs.
This match towards the end of the regular season was a real cracker. Salford had won on the opening day of the season at Warrington by 6-24. This was followed up by another win on Good Friday away at the Wolves 6-22.
The Wolves led 14-12 at the break and stretched their advantage to 22-12 with a Chris Bridge try and a penalty from playmaker Lee Briers.
But the Reds ran in four tries during a blistering 18-minute spell.
Warrington hit back through Michael Sullivan and Brent Grose but an Andrew Dunemann drop-goal kept the Reds clear.
Dunemann was a real star for Salford in 2006, a fantastic organiser and great reader of the game he arrived with a great pedigree after being a real star with Halifax and Leeds previously.
Salford’s tries that night came from Simon Finnegan, Gareth Haggerty, Andy Coley 2, Aaron Moule and Luke Robinson.
The shed was absolutely bouncing as Salford were on the way to breaking new ground in the Super League playoffs.
The team line ups that night were;
Salford: Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, Littler, Moule, Langi, Dunemann, Robinson, Lima, Alker, Rutgerson, Coley, Finnigan, Charles.
Replacements: Gower, Wilshere, Highton, Haggerty.
Warrington: Grose, Reardon, M. Gleeson, Kohe-Love, Fa’afili, Briers, Bridge, Rauhihi, Sullivan, Leikvoll, Swann, Wainwright, Westwood.
Replacements: M. Gleeson, Barnett, Wood, Bracek.
Saturday’s match.
Salford supporters waited nervously earlier this week as news from in around Hull was that Paul Rowley could be on his way to Humberside to coach the Airlie Birds. Salford put this story to bed on Tuesday teatime with a statement saying Hull Fc and their approach had been rejected. It’s great to hear that Paul is very much committed to his job at the Red Devils.
Sam Stone missed last week’s victory at London and he could be out for a month with a leg injury. Brad Singleton is making good progress and is back running but is still a few weeks off returning to the team. Amir Bourouh will be available after suspension and once again it will be interesting to see which two wingers Rowley goes with.
Joe Mellor played has played big minutes in recent weeks and his busy style of play around the ruck has made him a very useful addition. One player who’s really impressed me recently is Jack Ormondroyd. His lung busting runs have helped to get us on the front foot. He’s a big powerful lad and takes some stopping when he runs at full tilt.
I am hoping all the speculation this week helps galvanise the team for Saturday in what promises to be a very difficult game. Warrington and favourites with Salford having an eight point start on the betting coupon. The Red Devils have been impressive at home so far this season with just that late defeat to Wigan our only defeat.
The action gets under way at 3pm.
Safe travels and enjoy the match.
Paul Whiteside.
Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme.
Paul Whiteside Rugby League 