Reds 50-12 Swinton Lions

Salford City Reds shook off the pre-season cobwebs with a nine-try demolition over derby rivals Swinton Lions. With the snow finally cleared, the Reds got down to the business of getting in some vital match practice ahead of the season opener at Hull KR at the beginning of February.

Considering the game had been in doubt up until Saturday morning, the Willows playing surface looked in immaculate condition, although certain patches were still obviously slippy, especially at the Club end.

Reds’ Head Coach Shaun McRae had promised a strong-line up and he did not disappoint, handing debuts to new boys Broughton, Tyrer, Matty Smith, Gibson, Boyle and NRL capture Daniel Holdsworth.

The game kicked off with the Reds attacking the North Stand and it only took two minutes to make the first breakthrough, with Ste  Tyrer diving over from close range for the first points of 2010, Stefan Ratchford failed to add the conversion but the Reds were off and running.

Even in the early exchanges it was clear that Swinton were struggling with the Reds physical dominance and a punishing kick-chase from Dean McGilvray almost brought the Reds’ second score just two minutes later.

Even though it was officially a friendly there were a couple of early signs of underlying niggle, the most obvious of which was when the Reds were denied a penalty after Willie Talau was seemingly flipped onto his head in a group tackle.

The Lions were struggling to get any possession at all and it told in the 8th minute when Ratchford made a half-break and fed Luke Swain who galloped away before feeding Ian Sibbit for the second try of the match. Ratchford made no mistake with his second conversion and stretched the lead to 10-0 to Salford.

It was the 12th minute of the game before Swinton got the ball in the Reds half in earnest, and in truth they almost came up with a score when hooker Phil Joesph dived for the line, only to spill the ball to the greatful Matty Smith.

The Reds’ forwards were enjoying things by now and big Ray Cashmere was beginning to make inroads into the blue line with Swinton struggling to contain the Aussie prop. Rob Parker arrived on the field as McRae’s first switch along with Ryan Boyle and Stuart Littler and three minutes later barged through some weak defence to feed Willie Talau for a welcome try after a season packed with serious injury in 2009 for the former Saints star.

Ratchford added the extras and the Reds were already safely out in front at 16-0 after 23 minutes.

The Salford faithful got their first glimpse of their big close-season signing, former Canterbury Bulldogs star, Daniel Holdsworth in the 29th minute as he replaced Ratchford and the powerful Aussie made an instant impact, ghosting past his defended and setting up a try for Karl Fitzpatrick with a nice slipped pass. Ste Tyrer picked up the kicking duties and stretched the lead to 22-0

The score concluded the points for the first half but the Reds could easily have added further tries, included one disallowed for a forward pass to Fitzpatrick by McGilvray after a glorious break by Jeremy Smith and an gift opportunity when Matty Smith dropped a poor pass from Tyrer in the 39th minute with the line gaping.

Half-time 22-0

The second half was expected to be difficult for Swinton as they tired and things looked gloomier still for the visitors after just five minutes after Fitzpatrick broke away and sent Jeremy Smith under the posts for a well worked try which Ratchford converted.

Five minutes later the Reds were over again and this time it was Ratchford himself after he danced his way through a slack defence, although this time he failed to add the two. 32-0.

With the result decided the niggle returned and Ian Sibbit took exception to former Red Ian Watson’s challenge while he was on the floor and the two exchanged more than  few heated words until they were separated. Cashmere too was displeased with a tackle and the referee was having to penalise both teams hard as the game threatened to simmer over for a few moments.

In the 62 minute the Reds fans got a close look at new winger Jodie Broughton in action as he collected the ball on his own line and raced away 60 metres before being caught. The Lions were always struggling to get back from that position and seconds later Cashmere went over for a richly deserved try to the left of the posts after smart work by Luke Swain.

Two minutes later and with Swinton by now looking slightly disinterested the Reds scored arguably the try of the game with a fantastic break by Ashley Gibson leading to a terrific Maty Smith score taking the board to 44-0.

At that point it looked as though the Reds would rack up a cricket score in the remaining minutes but it was Swinton who picked themselves up and stopped the rot with a good try from Gavin Dodd in the corner. Carl Sneyd kicked a magnificent touchline conversion to to bring the score to 44-6.

The Reds had a further try to add from Luke Swain in the 72rd minute, converted by Tyrer to bring up the half century, but Swinton completed the game’s scoring in the 77th minute with their second try, scored and converted once more by Sneyd.

All in all the Reds will have seen this as a more than useful workout and now will travel to their final pre-season clash at Widnes next weekend full of confidence for the season ahead.

Match Facts

Salford City Reds 50-12 Swinton Lions

Salford:

Tries: Tyrer, Sibbit, Talau, Fitzpatrick, J Smith, Ratchford, M Smith, Swain

Goals: Ratchford (5), Tyrer (2)

Swinton:

Tries: Dodd, Sneyd

Goals: Sneyd (2)

Referee: Phil Brooke.

Man of the Match: KArl Fitzpatrick

Teams:

Reds: Fitzpatrick, Broughton, Talau, Tyrer, McGilvray, Ratchford, M Smith, Cashmere, Alker, Leuluai, Sibbit, Sidlow, Swain

Subs: Parker, Gibson, Boyle, Spencer, Jewitt, Holdsworth, Littler, J Smith

Swinton: Hawkyard, Foxen, Dodd, Reay, Hull, Hulse, Watson, Heaton, Joseph, Wilson, Grundy, Winfield, Smith

Subs: Sneyd, Hamilton, Bamford, Johnson, Isherwood

On this day..

• Reds Kick Off 2010 Season Today - 2010
• Rhinos v Reds - Leeds Sneak Through At The Death - 2009
• Stadium Update from John Wilkinson, OBE - 2008

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