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David Clegg Meets With U19s’ Head Coach, Garreth Carvell, Who Previews His Side’s Home Fixture With Widnes Vikings
Following a rather torrid encounter, last week, at St Helens, where they had had to deal with opponents both physically bigger and stronger, and overall older than themselves, one might have expected that the Red Devils’ U19s players would be feeling a little deflated, particularly in the light of the 46-16 result. That, according to Head Coach, Garreth Carvell, however, is not the case, as they all knew that, on the whole, they had given of their best.
“There was certainly no lack of effort,” he agrees. “In fact the effort the lads put in was exceptional, and they kept going right to the end, as was shown by a try saving tackle by fullback, Jack Thompson, who chased back a long way before overhauling the St Helens player and putting him into touch.
”We gave them the weekend off, afterwards, as with being so far into the season, we are picking up injuries, and the lads need  the rest.”
There could be no gainsaying the quality right through the St Helens side, though, and in some respects they provided a model for Salford and other teams to strive to emulate.
“They had the vision to see the things that we were doing and then had the ability to counter them,” is Garreth’s assessment.  “As a result, their half backs were able to take control of the game as a whole, and that was the real difference between the teams.  They were extremely good, though our lads can hold their heads up for their contribution to the game.”
With the visit, this Thursday, of the Widnes Vikings, Garreth is now awaiting reports on a handful of players who picked up injuries, last week, so that he can then determine his team.
“It’s good to keep the team shuffled around in order to bring fresh lads in to give them a chance,” he explains.
“When we played at Widnes earlier in the season, despite winning 28-22, we put in a rather spasmodic performance, which we all want to improve upon, this time.”
Part of the reason for this, he considers, was the unfamiliarity with the playing surface of the Stobart Stadium, which always seems to unsettle teams.  This time, however, the boot is on the other foot, with the Vikings having to adjust to our grass surface.
“They not only play on the artificial pitch, they train on it too, so they always face the problem of having to adjust to a grass pitch, whenever they play away from home.  Possibly, it will tell on them as the game progresses, and maybe their legs will begin to go towards the end,” is his hopeful expectation.
Match Officials:
Referee –  Mr J McMullen
Touch Judges – T Jones, K Murphy
Venue – The Enclosure, A J Bell Stadium                               KO 7.00pm
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