Injury-Hit Reds Force Wolves To The Line

Salford City Reds put in a ferociously gutsy performance to push big-spending Warrington Wolves virtually all the way in an enthralling game at The Willows. Trailling by just 6 points with 16 minutes to go, the Wolves even felt the need to push over a drop goal to give them a seven point margin with quarter of an hour to go, and it wasn’t until they added two tries in the last two minutes to make the score 10-27, with the Reds out on their feet that they ever felt really comfortable.

Match Report

Full-back Richard Mathers grabbed two first-half tries to put Warrington on their way to a third Engage Super League win of the season over Salford but there was dignity in defeat for the Reds.

The Wolves ran up a century of points in their first two meetings with Salford, including a 68-16 mauling at Murrayfield a month ago, but Shaun McRae’s men – fresh from back-to-back wins over St Helens and Catalans Dragons – this time made their opponents work for the win which takes them to within two points of leaders Wigan.

Two tries in the last four minutes from Mickey Higham and David Solomona finally subdued the battling Reds and gave Warrington a flattering margin of victory.

The Reds suffered a couple of pre-match blows, with Australian star Daniel Holdsworth failing a fitness test on a torn calf and full-back Karl Fitzpatrick losing his ever-present record this season because of an ankle injury, which forced McRae to give a debut to 19-year-old half-back Marc Sneyd.

Warrington, who were without suspended England forward Ben Westwood, looked the sharper side throughout the opening 40 minutes but they could never pull clear of a spirited Reds side.

It took the visitors until the 17th minute to open the scoring, in-form right winger Chris Hicks picking up from where he left off in last Sunday’s Challenge Cup win at Bradford by taking Mathers’ pass and wrong-footing the Reds defence to finish decisively at the corner.

The Salford defence opened up invitingly for Mathers to jink his way over for a second on 25 minutes but Chris Bridge was wide with both conversion attempts and the home side cut the gap to just two points when full-back Mark Henry gathered Jeremy Smith’s kick over the Warrington defence to touch down for a try converted by Steve Tyrer.

However, the visitors always looked the more dangerous side and it was no surprise when they struck again six minutes before the break when Chris Riley broke clear down the left wing and sent Mathers in for his second try.

This time Bridge kicked the goal and added a penalty in stoppage time to give his side a 10-point cushion at the break.

Warrington had all the early pressure in the second period but the Salford defence held firm and the home side actually scored the first try of the half against the run of play.

A 40-20 kick from Matty Smith, making up for a dismal first half in which he had three attempted clearance kicks charged down, set up the position for left winger Jodie Broughton to finish off a flowing cross-field move for a second try which made it 16-10.

That energised the Reds still further and Warrington were forced to draw on all their resilience to hang onto their lead as the game entered a tense final quarter.

But Salford lacked the composure to press home their advantage and a Lee Briers drop goal on 63 minutes gave Tony Smith’s men some breathing space before hooker Mickey Higham made sure of the win when he wriggled over for his side’s fourth try four minutes from the end.

Bridge kicked his third goal and second-rower David Solomona rubbed salt into Salford’s wounds by forcing his way over in stoppage time for a fifth try.

Match Facts

Salford (6) 10
Tries: Henry, Broughton Goals: Tyrer

Warrington (16) 27
Tries: Hicks, Mathers 2, Higham, Solomona Goals: Bridge 3 Drop goal: Briers

Salford: Henry, Broughton, Talau, Gibson, Tyrer, M. Smith, J. Smith, Boyle, Alker, Jewitt, Sibbit, Littler, Swain.
Replacements: Adamson, Leuluai, Sidlow, Sneyd.

Warrington: Mathers, Riley, King, Atkins, Hicks, Bridge, Briers, Morley, Monaghan, Harrison, L. Anderson, V. Anderson, Grix.
Replacements: Higham, Cooper, Mitchell, Solomona.

Referee: Ben Thaler (Wakefield)

Reds Complete Momentus Week With Second Win

It’s been quite a seven days for the City Reds, beginning with the huge win over St Helens last Saturday and completed by a second win on the bounce with their 14-22 victory over the Dragons in Perpignon. In between, of course, was the announcement that work had finally begun in earnest at the site of their new home in Barton. This latest win owed much to the increasing presence of half-back combo Daniel Holdsworth and Matty Smith, with the former kicking five goals, including a couple of vital ones from the touchline. It leaves the Reds on 10 points with a week off before they try to avenge a humiliating defeat at the hands of Warrington Wolves at the beginning of the month. That is looking increasingly like being a very interesting fixture indeed with the Reds in their current form.

Match Report

Salford City Reds produced performance of true Lancashire grit to beat Catalans Dragons on their home patch.

The defeat left Catalans rooted to the foot of the Super League with next week’s Challenge Cup quarter-final against Batley Bulldogs to which to look forward.

Salford took the lead in the fourth minute, capitalising on a forced goal-line drop out as Stuart Littler burst on to a Daniel Holdsworth pass and took two Catalans defenders over with him. Holdsworth added the conversion from wide on the right.

Catalans had not touched the ball after the restart when Salford took advantage of a compressed Dragons defence with Jodie Broughton making a break down the left wing.

After Catalans had given away a penalty for being offside, the ball was sent wide and good footwork by full-back Karl Fitzpatrick saw him go past Dragons winger Frederic Vaccari to score in the corner.

Holdsworth again added the touchline conversion and the visitors had a deserved 12-point advantage.

The home side took until the 29th minute to look like scoring, when a Tony Gigot kick-through was just knocked on by the chasing Dimitri Pelo.

Just on the half-time hooter, Catalans were awarded a penalty for a grapple tackle.

Instead of running the ball, the Dragons elected to kick at goal and Thomas Bosc converted to get the Dragons on the scoreboard.

Salford started the second half like they began the first with a high Matty Smith kick being knocked-on by Setaimata Sa.

Salford substitute, Phil Leuluai was on hand to scoop up the loose ball and dive in under the posts.

Referee Phil Bentham referred the decision to the video referee and the try was eventually awarded. Holdsworth added the easy conversion to increase Salford’s lead to 16 points.

The hosts eventually registered a try on 58 minutes when a Jerome Guisset off-load found Brent Sherwin, who despite being tackled managed to get away a superb kick through that Bosc chipped on and collected to score next to the posts. Bosc then added the conversion to narrow the gap.

The momentum was with Catalans but a 60-metre break by winger Vaccari saw his final pass go to ground with the supporting Pelo showing his frustration.

With 11 minutes remaining the visitors extended their lead after a penalty for a grapple tackle, Holdsworth with the goal.

Two minutes later the Dragons had hope of snatching a dramatic comeback when Karl Fitzpatrick allowed Bosc’s kick-through to bounce and Olivier Elima managed to stretch out a leg to hack the ball on.

Bosc collected the kick to touch down. Bosc again added the conversion to narrow the gap to six points.

All Dragons hopes were ended when Gregory Mounis was sent off for a dangerous tackle with five minutes remaining. Holdsworth was again on hand to score the penalty and increase the lead to an unassailable eight points.

Match Facts

Catalans Dragons (2) 14
Tries: Bosc 2 Goals: Bosc 3

Salford (12) 22
Tries: Fitzpatrick, Littler, Leuluai
Goals: Holdsworth 5

Catalans Dragons: Pelo, Bell, Raguin, Sa, Vaccari, Sherwin, Bosc, Casty, K Bentley, Guisset, Elima, Mounis, Johnson.
Replacements: Carlaw, A Bentley, Fakir, Gigot.

Salford: Fitzpatrick, Gibson, Henry, Talau, Broughton, Holdsworth, M Smith, Boyle, Alker, Jewitt, Sibbit, Littler, Swain.
Replacements: Ratchford, J. Smith, Leuluai, Sidlow.

Referee: Phil Bentham (Warrington).

Attendance: 5,115.

Nightmare Trip Costs Reds Dear

Salford’s arduous 24-hour overland trip to the south of France was all in vain as they crashed out of the Carnegie Challenge Cup at the first hurdle.

The Reds were forced to travel to Perpignan by coach and ferry after their flight plans were thrown into disarray by the volcanic ash that closed airports across northern Europe.

They made a poor start to their fourth-round tie at Gilbert Brutus Stadium and never recovered as winger Frederic Vaccari marked his Cup debut with a brace of tries.

Veteran prop forward Jerome Guisset opened the scoring with a 10th-minute try and Vaccari, who only made his Super League debut earlier this month, scored his first to put the Dragons into a 10-0 lead after only 13 minutes.

Salford’s hopes were raised by two quick-fire tries from winger Jodie Broughton just before half-time but Daniel Holdsworth was unable to add the conversions as the home side clung to a 10-8 interval lead.

Centre Steven Bell extended the Catalans’ lead six minutes into the second half, with Thomas Bosc kicking a second goal to make it 16-10, and there was no way back for Shaun McRae’s men when stand-off Casey McGuire went over for a fourth try on 57 minutes.

Even without suspended duo Chris Walker and Dallas Johnson, the Dragons were too good for their visitors and prop Remi Casty sealed the victory with a late try, with Gregory Mounis this time adding the conversion.

Catalans’ reward is a trip to Crusaders in the fifth round next month.

Match Facts

Catalan Dragons (10) 30
Tries: Guisset, Vaccari 2, Bell, McGuire, Casty Goals: Bosc 2, Mounis

Salford (8) 8
Tries: Broughton 2

Catalans Dragons: Pelo, Bell, Baile, Raguin, Vaccari, McGuire, Bosc, Ferriol, K. Bentley, Guisset, Elima, Gossard, Mounis.
Replacements: Carlaw, Martins, Casty, Gigot.

Salford: Fitzpatrick, Broughton, Talau, Henry, Gibson, Ratchford, Holdsworth, Cashmere, Alker, Boyle, Sidlow, Adamson, Swain.
Replacements: Sibbit, M. Smith, Littler, Jewitt.

Reds ‘No Option’ But To Drive To Cup Game

Salford City Reds face the unenviable task of a coach trip to the South of France to play Catalans Dragons in the fourth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup on Sunday after flights were grounded for a second day due to the volcanic ash cloud over Europe.

The squad have had to make hurried arrangements and will leave their Castle Irwell training facility at lunchtime (Friday) for the arduous trip.

Plan A is out of the window, we are on Plan B and may well be on Plan C by the time we get there!

Head Coach Shaun McRae told us: “It’s certainly not our preferred method but the game has to be played. There are only a few weeks until the next round and there are Super League games on both weekends, including our trip to Murrayfield so it is important we get the game out of the way as soon as possible.

“We are full time professionals – it’s what we do for a job and occasionally we have to overcome hardships to do that job. We couldn’t hang back and wait for the airports to open, because the truth is, nobody knows when that will be so Plan A is out of the window, we are on Plan B and may well be on Plan C by the time we get there!

“With the game not being until Sunday we can afford to take our time a little bit. We’ll be making frequent stops for stretches and exercise and so the players can take on food. We just have to be very conscientious about the way we plan things.”

Volcano Causes Reds’ French Travel Problem

Salford City Reds face a potential problem getting to the South of France for their Carnegie Challenge Cup tie against Catalans Dragons this weekend as all UK flights are set to be grounded due to the volcanic ash cloud currently sweeping its way across Europe.

A second volcanic eruption in the Eyjafjallajoekull area of Iceland occurred overnight and released a huge cloud which has caused today’s dramatic news story.

The Reds’ squad are due to fly out from Leeds-Bradford Airport on Friday afternoon and the current situation is that the game is on and the players will travel as scheduled.

Reds’ Communications Manager Paul McNally said: “We weren’t really expecting to wake up to a problem like this and all we can really do at the moment is hang fire and see what the situation is tomorrow (Friday), we are in the lap of the Gods to be honest. We are aware we have fans travelling over the next couple of days and all we can advise them to do is check with their operators to see where they stand. We are in contact with the RFL and our travel company and as soon as we have any further information we will issue it via our website.”

“If we can get there to play we will be there, but it has to be one of the most unusual reasons ever to put a  game in doubt,” McNally concluded.

Further updates will appear on this page as news becomes available.

Ticket Info For Fans Travelling To France

The Reds head to the South of France this weekend for the Fourth Round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup tie against the Catalans Dragons and travelling fans are advised that they can gain free admission to the match on production of a valid membership smart card at the Dragon’s Ticket Office prior to kick off.

Upon production you will be handed a match ticket for entry into the Stadium.

Have a safe journey and enjoy the game.

Please also note that the kick-off time has been changed to 3pm local time.

Meanwhile, former Reds’ star Robbie Paul believes any Super League club is capable of lifting the tropy this year.

“The key to it all is that you only need to win five games to go to Wembley and lift the trophy. That’s why this year absolutely anyone can win it.  All 14 Super League clubs can raise their game on their day and put together a cup run so who knows who will be at Wembley come August,” said Paul

A Brief History of French Clubs in the Challenge Cup

PARIS ST GERMAIN were the first French club to appear in the Challenge Cup, in 1997. They won 38-4 at Batley Bulldogs in Round Four and lost 8-4 at Salford CityReds in Round Five. Paris were a Super League club and French League clubs first appeared in 1999-2000.

Catalans Dragons hold the record for the highest score by a French club in the Cup with a 70-12 home defeat of Featherstone Rovers in the 2007 fourth round. Catalans also hold the record margin win, 66-0 at home to Thornhill amateurs in the 2006 fourth round. Catalans are the only French club to reach the final, losing 30-8 to St Helens in 2007.

Bradford Bulls ran up the highest score against a French club with a 98-6 fourth round home defeat of Toulouse in 2008. It was also the widest winning margin.

A record three French clubs appeared in the fifth round in 2005: SM Pia, Union Treiziste Catalan and Toulouse. Toulouse were the only winners and went on to become the first French club to reach the semi-finals, losing 56-18 to Leeds Rhinos.

Cup Draw Not Kind To Reds Fans

Salford City Reds fans face a second trip to the South of France if they want to follow their team after the 4th Round Draw of the Carnegie Challenge Cup paired them away at Catalans Dragons in one of four all Super League games. The Reds lost out to the Dragons in last week’s league fixture and now will have an early chance of revenge when the round takes place next month, although the venue and exact date have still to be confirmed.

Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round draw

York v Crusaders

Hunslet v Oldham

Swinton v Halifax

Limoux v Leigh

Harlequins v Wakefield

St Helens v Toulouse

Widnes/Wigan St Judes v Lezignan

Catalans v Salford

Sheffield v Wigan

Siddal v Batley

Hull FC v Leeds

Castleford v Barrow Raiders

Warrington v Featherstone Rovers

Blackpool v Whitehaven

Huddersfield v Hull KR

Dewsbury v Bradford

Ties to be played 16-18 April

Winning Golden Gamble Ticket Not Claimed

Salford City Reds Golden Gamble Draw winning ticket is still unclaimed following the match against Catalans Dragons at the Willows on Friday.
With £270 up for grabs the club is urging all supporters to check their pockets and wallets and even that pair of jeans you have put through the washing machine, to see if you hold the winning ticket and  stake their claim to the prize.
The Golden Gamble winning ticket number of 0968 sponsored by Perrys of Bury appears to have been purchased in either the Willows or the tavern….IS IT YOU?
The winner will also be given the opportunity to try for the Perry’s ‘Loot in the Boot’, an opportunity to win a further £1000 if you correctly choose the keys to open the boot to the Vauxhall Corsa at the next game against Hull FC on Sat 27 March.
If you have the winning ticket please contact the lottery department on 0161 925 0394.

Winning tickets (Friday 5 March)

0968 £270.00 + £1,000 bonus (if you can unlock the loot in the boot) – Unclaimed
0269 Gents Watch – Claimed
0266 Uncle Joes Mintballs – Unclaimed

Dragons Bounce Back To Leave Reds In Mire

Catalans Dragons are off the mark in the Engage Super League after mounting a stirring fightback to run in five tries and claim their first win of the campaign.

The Dragons bounced back from a humiliating 58-0 hammering at Wigan last week with a vastly improved show thanks to tries from Chris Walker (two), Clint Greenshields, Setaimata Sa and Sebastien Raguin.

Defeat for Salford was their fifth of the campaign and sees them replace Dragons at the foot of the standings, but it could have been so much better after leading 12-8 at the break.

Kevin Walters’ Dragons went into the basement battle with the worst defence in Super League having conceded an average 36 points in each of their four defeats.

They were boosted by the return of Oliver Elima from a one-match ban but Adam Mogg was missing through injury sustained at Wigan with half back partner Thomas Bosc still sidelined.

Salford were unchanged despite their 7-0 home defeat by Bradford last time out and made the brighter start after Greenshields lost the ball from the kick-off.

But it took the Reds until the 19th minute to grab their first try in 100 minutes of rugby when Stefan Ratchford fed Willie Talau to power over.

Ratchford tagged on the conversion but Catalans hit back when Walker finished off a slick handling move to go over in the corner after 24 minutes.

And five minutes later Sa’s surging break allowed Dimitri Pelo to send Walker over for his second of the evening.

The Reds led at the break after Greenshields’ poor pass was snapped up by Mark Henry for Ashley Gibson to scoot over in the corner and Ratchford landed the touchline conversion.

Salford were fortunate to edge the interval lead with Catalans looking the more threatening side for most of the first half.

The Reds were then lucky not to have Stuart Littler sin-binned for a blatant professional foul, before a poor Ratchford chip kick enabled the Dragons to race the full length of the field for Greenshields to cross in the corner, with Greg Mounis booting the conversion for 14-12.

That try was the first of three in 19 minutes as Catalans stretched their legs.

Sa forced his way over for try number four with Mounis again on target, and the result was put beyond any doubt when Sa created the final try of the evening for Raguin as Salford ran out of steam.

Match Facts

Salford (12) 12	Catalans Dragons (8) 24
Tries: Gibson, Talau	Walker 2, Raguin, Greenshields, Sa
Goals: Ratchford 2	Mounis 2
Attend: 3,022

Salford City Reds: Fitzpatrick, Broughton, Henry, Talau, Gibson, Ratchford, Holdsworth, Boyle, Alker, Parker, Sibbit, Adamson, Swain.
Replacements: Leuluai, J Smith, Sidlow, Littler.

Catalans Dragons: Greenshields, Bell, Raguin, Walker, Pelo, Sa, McGuire, Ferriol, Bentley, Carlaw, Gossard, Elima, Johnson, Fakir.
Replacements: Guisset, Martins, Fakir, Mounis.

Attendance: 3,022.

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens).

Loot The Boot At Halftime

Home and away supporters buying a golden gamble ticket at the Reds fixture against Bradford Bulls this Friday at The Willows will automatically increase their chances of winning £1000 with the new Perry’s Loot in the Boot half time competition.

Perrys Vauxhall, the Bury based car dealer, have recently become special business partners of Salford City Reds and currently sponsor Reds Head Coach Shaun McRae and  the new player tunnel. Now they have thrown their support behind the fantastic match day half time golden gamble game draw and will be backing it with a special extra bonus prize of £1000.

The winning first prize golden gamble ticket holder drawn at half time this Friday will be invited to simply pick one key from a bag of twelve keys and if that key fits the boot of the Perry’s Corsa car on display, will be awarded the £1000 bonus prize.

If the selected key does not fit the boot then it will be discarded. The bag will then contain only 11 keys for the winner of the golden gamble to select from at our next home game v Catalans Dragons with the process continuing at each home fixture until the bonus prize has been claimed.

Lottery Manager Lee Cummins said:

“The Loot in the Boot” concept is a fantastic idea which I’m sure will keep fans gripped not just to their tickets but to the drama surrounding the “Will they or wont they” pick the lucky key that fits the boot.

“I urge all fans to immediately purchase a Golden Gamble ticket upon entering the stadium as I’m sure they will be snapped up quickly and we wouldn’t want anybody to miss out.

“We would also like to remind everybody at half time to listen for the announcement of the winning number and to check the scoreboard, if you think you have the winning ticket come straight down to pitch side in front of the Austin Truman stand.”

Aiming to increase their brand awareness through support of Salford City Reds, Andy Smith, General Sales Manager for Perrys Vauxhall said:

“Perrys are delighted to be involved with the sponsorship of Salford City Reds. As a club serving such a large community, the Reds offer Perrys the opportunity to expand our advertising base by engaging in this unique partnership and creating awareness for fellow supporters and business associates alike.

“In this day and age, virtually everybody has some form of motoring need and as the City Reds cover the sporting requirements of the area, we would like to be at the forefront of people’s minds when they are considering their motoring needs.

“We know we can deliver the service and quality that today’s customer expects. We have set high standards at Perrys and consider ourselves to be a ‘Super League’ motor retailer with “Top Flight” facilities for sales and after sales. So, “Come On You Reds” and visit our website today at www.perrys.co.uk

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