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

Win Tickets To Magic Weekend 2010

To mark tickets going on sale for next May’s Magic Weekend on Wednesday (December 16), the RFL has teamed up with Salford City Reds to giveaway three pairs of tickets to the event which will see seven games of engage Super League played in the stunning city of Edinburgh.

The Magic Weekend promises to be another great carnival of Rugby League.  Not only will there be top class games from the engage Super League but the Scottish capital is one of Europe’s top tourist destinations with such landmarks as Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Royal Yacht Britannia and the Scottish Whisky Experience

This May nearly 60,000 supporters headed north to Scotland and with more than 6,000 hotel rooms to choose from supporters in Edinburgh, supporters are set to make a real weekend of the event.

Tickets for the Magic Weekend start from £30 for the weekend and £15 for concessions and can be purchased from the club shop and also the RFL Ticket Line on 0844 856 11 13 or visit www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk

Saturday May 1
Bradford Bulls vs. Crusaders RL (1.00pm)
Hull FC vs. Harlequins (3.00pm)
Warrington Wolves vs. Salford City Reds (5.00pm)
Leeds Rhinos vs. Wakefield Wildcats (7.00pm)

Sunday May 2
Castleford Tigers vs. Catalans Dragons (2.00pm)
Wigan Warriors vs. Huddersfield Giants (4.00pm)
St Helens vs. Hull KR (6.00pm)

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to the 2010 Magic Weekend to be held at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium on May 1 & 2, simply answer the following question:

Where will the 2010 Magic Weekend be held?

a)    Murrayfield
b)    Millennium Stadium
c)    Twickenham

Please send your entries along with address and the team you support to competitions@rfl.uk.com

20 – Ste Tyrer

Centre

D.O.B. 16/03/1989

Came through the Academy ranks at St Helens, making his senior debut at the age of 17 as a substitute against the Catalans Dragons in July 2006. The following season he made 14 first team appearances. However, in June 2008 he joined Widnes on loan and made his debut against Salford. He scored seven tries and kicked 36 goals in 10 appearances for the Vikings. Last season he was at Celtic Crusaders on a season long loan arrangement and he is now at Salford on a similar deal.

First Fixture Change Of The Year

Salford City Reds can confirm that the away fixture at Harlequins RL scheduled for Saturday 13th March has now been switched to Sunday 14 March, KO 3pm.

The Reds will now have an extra day to prepare after they take on Catalans Dragons on 5 March.

Bulls Too Strong For Reds

Bradford Bulls avenged their earlier season defeat at The Willows by running out comfortable winners against the Reds 44-18 at the Grattan Stadium, Odsal on Sunday. Robbie Paul returned to his former stomping ground on his penultimate ever Super League appearnce but watched from the bench as the Reds turned over the ball on the third tackle and conceeded two tries in the opening five minutes.

Match Report

Revitalised Bradford kept their play-off dreams alive with a fourth successive win that means four clubs will be chasing eighth place in the final round of matches in the engage Super League next weekend.

A month ago the Bulls looked certain to miss out on the play-offs for the first time but their late-season revival – combined with lapses by Warrington, Catalans Dragons and Harlequins – has breathed new life into their season.

Catalans remain in pole position. However, defeat at St Helens next Friday would open the door for Bradford, Warrington or Harlequins in a tense finish to the season.

Bradford may have benefited from a helping hand in their unlikely pursuit of play-off glory, but Steve McNamara’s men did themselves a power of good against an outclassed Salford side who were swept away in a blistering opening.

The Bulls never looked back after scoring two tries in the first four minutes and were 24-6 up by half-time.

Centre Chris Nero got the scoreboard ticking over after only 90 seconds, with the first of his three tries, and Salford had no time to recover before he sent winger Semi Tadulala over for the first of his two.

Back-row forward Jamie Langley added two further tries before the break, and prop Sam Burgess had one disallowed for a double movement as the home side turned on the power.

It was 18-0 after only 11 minutes, and Salford’s small band of followers must have feared a repeat of the record 96-16 mauling their team suffered at Odsal nine years ago.

But the Reds responded briefly midway through the first half when promising half-back Stefan Ratchford sent winger John Wilshere over and converted the try.

The Bulls lost full-back Dave Halley after 23 minutes with a leg injury but were never seriously troubled by a limited Reds side with nothing to play for but pride.

They achieved that courtesy of late tries by Wilshere and centre Mark Henry, both converted by Ratchford, but by then Nero had completed his hat-trick and Burgess had sent Tadulala over for his second.

Prop Andy Lynch finished off the scoring two minutes from the end when he forced his way over for Bradford’s eighth try, with Deacon adding his sixth goal.

It was a sad way for former Bradford captain Robbie Paul to mark his return to Odsal, and his misery was compounded by news of relegation for his new club Leigh – which means he will be playing in the third tier of British rugby league in 2010.

Match Facts

Bradford (24) 44
Tries: Nero 3, Tadulala 2, Langley 2, Lynch Goals: Deacon 6

Salford (6) 18
Tries: Wilshere 2, Henry Goals: Ratchford 3

Bradford: Halley, Sheriffe, Tadulala, Platt, Godwin, Sykes, Deacon, Morrison, Nero, Lynch, Scruton, Langley, Menzies.
Replacements: Jeffries, Worrincy, Burgess, Kopczak.

Salford: Fitzpatrick, Wilshere, Henry, Littler, McGilvray, Smith, Ratchford, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Adamson, Swain.
Replacements: Leuluai, Sidlow, Nash, Paul.

Stapo Banned After Ref Rant

Salford’s Craig Stapleton has been suspended for one match after being sent off for foul and abusive language following his side’s defeat by Catalans Dragons last Friday.

Prop Stapleton, who has also been fined £300, was dismissed by referee Phil Bentham for comments made soon after the final hooter of the engage Super League clash at The Willows.

Salford were beaten 18-16 after a last-minute try from Casey McGuire.

Stapleton, 30, who is leaving the club at the end of the season, will miss the Reds’ trip to Harlequins on Saturday.

Stapleton ‘Remorseful’ Over Red Card

Salford City Reds Australian prop Craig Stapleton is in hot water with the RFL Disciplinary panel on Tuesday after receiving a red card from referee Phil Bentham for foul and abusive language directed at the officials after the final hooter and the late try that saw the Dragons pip the Reds for the two competition points at The Willows.

Stapleton went to see the referee to apologise after the chaos had calmed down but will still face a serious charge of Foul and Abusive Language and will probably be expecting a ban which may hit his final few games for the Reds before he returns home at the end of the season.

Head Coach Shaun McRae said: “I always say to them, you can think what you want but you just can’t say it. Emotions were very high at the end of the game and I would choose my words carefully and say we were on the end of some very strange decisions. Craig is  is very remorseful but as a club we don’t condone that in any way.”

Meanwhile McRae insisted teenage star Richie Myler does have a future at Salford despite dropping him for Friday night’s last-gasp loss to Catalans Dragons. Myler, whose future has been the subject of considerable speculation, was watching from the stands as the Reds went down 18-16 in the final minute of a rearranged engage Super League clash at The Willows.

He said: “I say he’s been rested. Other people use different terms saying sacked or dropped but I think that is harsh. Rested is a good way to put it, he is still available for selection and is fully fit.

“He has been under enormous pressure, I think he needed a break. He might know what is going on but I don’t know. I hear all the rumour and speculation but I don’t know anything. I just looked at him as a player that needed to be rested and I think it will do him the world of good. He is certainly not discarded for the remainder of the season.”

Reds Pipped In Dragons Thriller As Stapo Sees Red

The debate will rage for days about many of referee Phil Bentham’s second half decisions after the Reds lost a 14-0 advantage to lose to a last minute Casey Maguire score and go down 16-18 – a try that sparked an andry reaction and saw prop Craig Stapleton sent off for foul and abusive language after the hooter, even though he was on the bench at the time.

Match Report

Casey McGuire kept Catalans Dragons’ engage Super League play-off hopes alive with a late winning try at Salford on Friday night.

McGuire touched down in the final minute at The Willows just moments after a Stefan Ratchford penalty looked to have won it for the Reds.

Catalans had battled back from 14-0 down with tries from Olivier Elima, Dane Carlaw and Adam Mogg but their efforts looked in vain as Ratchford scored from 40 metres.

Salford dominated the first half but had only a 12-0 lead to show for their efforts after tries from Craig Stapleton and John Wilshere.

They were unable to hold on and defeat, their fifth in succession, increases the pressure on coach Shaun McRae.

Attention will also focus on McRae’s decision to leave out 19-year-old star Richie Myler, but his replacement at scrum-half, Ratchford, was one of the Reds’ most influential players.

The game lacked atmosphere but not intensity early on as both sides hit each other hard up front.

It was in attack where the two sides differed. Catalans, missing suspended skipper Greg Bird, were unable to create much while Salford were well directed by Ratchford.

The opening try came after 10 minutes as burly forward Stapleton handed off one challenge and then barged his way through three more to score from close range.

A second try almost followed immediately as Luke Adamson broke from his own half and sent Stuart Littler away, but Jeremy Smith was caught in the corner.

Smith did win a penalty but the attack ended as Mark Henry was thrown a difficult pass and lost possession.

Catalans offered little and one move they did create broke down when Jason Croker knocked on.

The Reds doubled their lead after hooker Malcolm Alker was stopped just short of the line.

The ball quickly came out to the influential Ratchford, who floated a delicate kick to the corner for Wilshere.

Ratchford converted both tries and then added another two points to his tally from a penalty early in the second half.

Wilshere also went close again as the Reds looked to close out the game but the Dragons finally stirred into life with almost an hour gone.

Elima gave the French side hope as he raced onto a McGuire kick to score behind the posts and Gregory Mounis added the goal.

The visitors then raised the tempo and claimed a second try as Carlaw, shifted out to the wing, applied the finishing touch to a slick move from a Dimitri Pelo pass.

Super League’s oldest player Croker, who this week learned his contract will not be renewed, thought he had added another but had to settle for a penalty.

Elima was then stopped just short of a second try but Mogg made no mistake with seven minutes remaining.

Mounis could not add the goal and Ratchford stepped up to land a nerveless penalty after 77 minutes to put Salford 16-14 ahead.

Yet it was not enough as McGuire crashed over in the final minute to snatch a last-gasp victory.

Match Facts

Salford: Fitzpatrick, Wilshere, Henry, Littler, McGilvray, Smith, Ratchford, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Adamson, Swain.
Replacements: Nash for Cashmere (29), Paul for Alker (29), Leuluai for Stapleton (27), Sidlow for Adamson (27).

Catalans Dragons: Bosc, Stacul, Baile, Croker, Pelo, Mogg, McGuire, Ryles, Bentley, Guisset, Gossard, Carlaw, Fakir.
Replacements: Mounis for Bentley (20), Ferriol for Guisset (30), Elima for Carlaw (20), Casty for Fakir (19).

Att: 3,475

Ref: P Bentham (Warrington).

Rearranged Dragons Clash Gives Reds Chance To Build

Salford City Reds head into Friday’s rearranged clash with the French at The Willows (8pm) looking to build on last week’s improvement against Wakefield. The Dragons are without the influential Greg Bird and Steven Bell and have yet to score even a point at The Willows after 16-0 and 10-0 defeats in their two previous visits.

Jason Walton returns to Head Coach Shaun McRae’s line-up in place of Lewis Palfrey but bodies are still at a premium for the Reds. Meanwhile Karl Fitzpatrick could finally return to the side for the first time since Round 6 and Aussie hardman Craig Stapleton is preparing for one of his final games at the famous old ground and will be hoping to record a couple more wins here, as he this week confirmed he will return to Sydney at the end of the year.

I’ve really enjoyed my time at Salford. Last season was especially good

Last season’s Player of the Year said: “I chatted things over with my wife and we are going back home with the children to resettle in Australia. I’ve really enjoyed my time at Salford. Last season was especially good. It’s been a bit up and down this term but we’ve enjoyed some terrific wins and it’s been great to play with a superb set of players

Reds 19 Man Squad to face Catalans Dragons:
Wilshere, Henry, Smith, Walton, McGilvray, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Swain, Littler, Leuluai, Paul, Ratchford, Adamson, Nash, Fitzpatrick, Sidlow, Sibbit, Myler

Reds’ Nazir to Debut In British Pakistan Side

Rugby League history will be made on Sunday (19th July) at the Grattan Stadium when the first British Pakistan XIII make their competitive bow against the Great Britain Under 18s Community Lions, in a curtain raiser to the engage Super League clash between Bradford and Wigan and Salford City Reds Imad Nazir will be taking to the field to represent the Reds.

Salford's Imad Nazir

The British Pakistan side has come about thanks to a unique collaborative venture between the Connecting Communities Project, Rugby League European Federation, Bradford City Council, Bradford College, Bradford University and Bradford Bulls.

The side will carry the logos of the RLEF, who have funded their distinctive green, red, white and blue kit because of the cultural ties between Pakistan and Europe and ‘Connecting Communities’ which is part of the Leeds Rugby Foundation.

The British Pakistan side is supported by BARA, the British Asian Rugby Association, whose Director Ikram Butt is also the Manager for the groundbreaking ‘Connecting Communities’ Project.

Commenting on the match he said, “this a unique opportunity to spread the code into the Asian community and make a statement about our Britishness.”

“A number of agencies have come together to make it possible and the support of Kevin Rudd at the RLEF – who came with me on a trip to Pakistan to see the potential for the sport over there – and Emma Rosewarne at the RFL has been outstanding.”

Guests who have confirmed their attendance are; Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Neil Turner MP Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group, Bradford Council Chief Executive Tony Reeves and Phil Barker, Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford Naveeda Ikram and Ronnie Todd from Bradford College who has been a prime mover for the match.

The GB Community Lions are using the game as preparation for their forthcoming tour to Australia.
Ikram Butt, the first Muslim rugby international, may be tempted to don his boots as part of the initial 22-man British Pakistan squad.

“The team comprises of players born in the UK and Ireland and aims to celebrate our geographical and cultural heritage, which are equally important to us” he commented.

“The event is also part of our ongoing efforts to raise the profile of the City of Bradford and support the development of the Odsal Village scheme.”

“We are also extremely grateful to Leeds Rhinos who have kindly allowed us to train at their first class facilities in Kirkstall for the past three weeks.”

“Our next venture will be to play against West Yorkshire Police in mid August.”
“The plan is to then organise a similar programme of events for British-Indian and British-Bangladeshi sides in the New Year, culminating in a Tri Nation 9’s event at the Bradford MELA in June 2010.”

BRITISH PAKISTAN – SQUAD

1.    Ajay Hussain – Siddal
2.      Amjad Hussain – BARA
3.      Kashif Khawaja – BARA (Pakistan RFU captain)
4.      Imad Nazir – Salford City Reds
5.      Omar Rafique – Queens
6.      Junaid Malik – Elland (Captain)
7.      Amraz Hamed – Hunslet Old Boys
8.      Andi Ali – Queens (Vice Captain)
9.      Hassan Mahmood – Siddal
10.  Awais Yousof – Queens
11.  Usman Malik – Elland
12.  Rehan Mansoor – Old Crosslians RFU
13.  Omar Mehdi – Hunslet Warriors
14.  Basim Hussain – Queens
15.  Wasim Hussain – Queens
16.  Ricky Wilby – Catalans Dragons
17.  Sstar Zaman – Dewsbury Celtic
18.  Wasim Shabir – Keighley Cougars
19.  Khurram Aziz – Bradford Salem RFU
20.  Zahoor Ahmed – Rochdale Cobras
21.  Imran Hamid – British Army
22.  Ikram Butt – BARA

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