The Red Devils had eight different try-scorers at Halifax included Lama Tasi who powered over for his first of the season after the side battled through a tough opening spell.
Tasi, sponsored by The Salmon King, said: “We’re happy to get three from three.
“We didn’t start off the best but once we got into the groove of things we ran away with the game. We weathered the storm and everything else came on the back of that.
“We need to take that form into next week.”
Watch Lama Tasi’s full post-match interview below:
Tag: The Mbi Shay
Three Talking Points | Halifax RLFC 4-62 Salford Red Devils
A rampant twelve-try performance from the Red Devils against Halifax saw Salford go clear at the top of the Qualifiers table and here are three talking points.
Defensive effort
It was another resilient performance with Salford conceding just one try at the MBi Shay Stadium. The Red Devils currently have the strongest defence in The Qualifiers conceding just twenty points so far; thirty less than any other side.
Halifax scored first through Sam Wood, but Ian Watson’s men toughed it out for over seventy minutes afterwards without breaking in defence. The hosts put pressure on Salford’s line on numerous occasions as Scott Murrell tried to unlock the defence.
However, the Salford forwards held Halifax up short on a few occasions while the outside backs covered any threats out wide from the Fax dangermen.
The Qualifiers could very well come down to points difference this season and with Salford’s stern defence being on show for the first three rounds this puts the Red Devils in good stead for the upcoming weeks.
Ruthlessness
Despite the Red Devils controlling the game for the full eighty minutes and heading into half-time with the game almost won we saw a ruthlessness from Ian Watson’s men that we haven’t seen for some time.
The likes of Rob Lui, Jackson Hastings, Joey Lussick, Josh Wood and Niall Evalds caused Halifax problems in attack throughout. Once Hastings scored the first try, Salford’s momentum just built throughout with a number of Red Devils ending up on the scoresheet.
Derrell Olpherts was the main beneficiary of this ruthlessness with Red Devils realising they could cause issues down the left-hand side and Olpherts crossed for a hat-trick. Salford’s attack was in full force until the final minute when Junior Sa’u scored with the last play.
3 out of 3 lets keep going 👹👹👹 https://t.co/K6w1AoR3hN
— Derrell Olpherts (@DerrellOlphert1) September 2, 2018
The Red Devils have racked up more points than any other side so far in The Qualifiers and will be looking to take that attacking form into next week’s game against Toronto.
Travelling support
It wasn’t just the players who turned up at the MBi Shay Stadium as the Red Devils travelled in numbers with almost 1000 Salford fans making the trip over the Pennines.
The support was the largest away following since last year’s Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-final and the constant stream of noise pushed the lads on to victory.
Thanks to everyone who made the trip.
🎶 Watching Salford away 🎶 pic.twitter.com/5bWi4CZGoy
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) September 2, 2018
Match Report | Halifax RLFC 4-62 Salford Red Devils
Salford made it three wins from three in The Qualifiers to open up a two-point from four other teams with a convincing 4-62 victory over Halifax at the MBi Shay Stadium.
Derrell Olpherts crossed for his first hat-trick in Salford colours while Jackson Hastings and Junior Sa’u both notched braces. Ed Chamberlain, Ben Nakubuwai, Kris Welham, Lama Tasi and Josh Wood were all also on the scoresheet. Sam Wood scored Halifax’s only try.
But it was the hosts who were quickest out of the blocks and opened the scoring early on. Heaton streaked away down the flank before finding Sam Wood in support to give Halifax an early lead.
However, the Red Devils soon found their feet and it was Hastings who levelled the scores as he dummied and ghosted his way through the defensive line. Hastings was central to Salford’s second as his high kick was knocked down by Welham before the ball found Chamberlain out wide who put Ian Watson’s men ahead.
GET IN!! @SalfordDevils fans were class 👏🏻👏🏻
— Josh Wood (@Josh19Wood) September 2, 2018
Fellow Australian half Rob Lui settled into the game and began causing the Halifax defence issues and it wasn’t long until Olpherts crossed in similar fashion to Chamberlain before him. This time it was Josh Jones who rose highest before Olpherts grabbed his first of the game.
Nakubuwai would soon force his way through the Halifax defence under the posts as Salford strengthened their grip on the game.
With five minutes of the first half remaining the Red Devils showed no signs of letting up crossing for two quickfire tries. Hastings scooped up a loose ball when it had looked like the chance had passed finding Niall Evalds who in turn looped the ball wide to Olpherts to score his second of the game.
On the half-time hooter, Chamberlain broke down the opposite wing before throwing the ball inside to an onrushing Welham giving Salford a comfortable lead going into the break.
Half-time didn’t affect Ian Watson’s who scored inside the opening few minutes of the second half with Olpherts claiming his hat-trick. However, the hard work was done by mercurial halfback Hastings who broke from deep before finding the former League One winger.
Tasi was the next Red Devil to break the Halifax defence powering his way over for his first try of the 2018 season. Hastings again provided a try-assist as Sa’u crashed over from close-range before gliding through a big gap in the Fax defence to score himself.
Good to get the W with the brothers today! Big thanks to our @SalfordDevils FANS for turning up in numbers today see you all next week!!! #WeAreSalford 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️
— Junior Sa'u (@junior_sau) September 2, 2018
Hastings and fellow halfback Lui were both taken from the field with twenty minutes remaining with one eye on next week’s game against Toronto. Youngster Wood stepped into the halves and went through to score shortly after.
It was down to Sa’u to wrap up a rampant Salford display as he plucked Evalds’ pass out of the air before stepping inside to score in the final minute.
Halifax: Moss, Heaton, Wood, Butler, Sharp; Murrell, Johnston; Fleming, Kaye, Baldwinson, Tangata, Grady, Grix.
Interchanges: Maher, Moore, Cooper, Fairbank.
Salford: Evalds, Olpherts, Sa’u, Welham, Chamberlain; Lui, Hastings; Tasi, Wood, Murray, Jones, McCarthy, Flanagan.
Interchanges: Burgess, Nakubuwai, Burke, Lussick.
Halifax Tries: Wood (9)
Salford Tries: Hastings (12, 65), Chamberlain (19), Olpherts (23, 36, 44), Nakubuwai (27), Welham (40), Tasi (49), Sa’u (54, 80), Wood (71). Salford Conversions: Chamberlain (20, 28, 37, 45, 50, 66, 73)
Man of the Match: Rob Lui.
Referee: Tom Grant.
Touch Judge: Chris Kendall.
Touch Judge: Andrew Sweet.
Attendance: 2555.
Kris Welham | “We just need another two points this weekend”
Kris Welham was delighted to return to action a fortnight ago against Widnes Vikings and is now focused on getting another two points this weekend against Halifax RLFC.
The Red Devils have already earned two wins so far in The Qualifiers and the veteran feels Salford need to be aiming for an unbeaten campaign.
Welham, sponsored by Process Gas Services said: “With the team that we’ve got – we finished 4th in the Betfred Super League regular season last year – so there’s no reason we can’t try and win seven from seven.
“We’ve had our fair share of injuries throughout this season but we’ve come past that now and we’re confident we can win all seven games.
“We’ve got a good team and some experienced players and we just need to earn another two points this weekend.”
Watch Kris Welham’s full pre-match interview below:
Instagram | Joey Lussick to take over for Captain’s Run
Australian hooker Joey Lussick will be taking over the Club’s Instagram story tomorrow (Saturday 1st September) for Captain’s Run.
Follow our Instagram – @SalfordRedDevilsRLFC – to see what Joey and the team get up to at Captain’s Run ahead of our massive game against Halifax RLFC.
Tickets are still available to purchase from the The Salford Stadium Ticket Office or over the phone on 0161 786 1570 up until 4pm on Saturday 1st September. Remember, the Club retain 25% of any advanced purchases from the The Salford Stadium. All ticket details can be found HERE.
There is still room on the second Supporters’ Coach available to book at the Club Ticket Office and over the phone on 0161 786 1570. The Club retain 100% of your booking fee. All Coach details can be seen HERE.
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Welcome the Wolfpack!
Tickets for our next home game against Toronto Wolfpack on Saturday 8th September are available to purchase at the Club Ticket Office, over the phone on 0161 786 1570 or SAVE MONEY by buying online, just CLICK HERE.
Ian Watson | “It will centre on our attitude, professionalism and discipline”
This weekend’s opponents Halifax are yet to register a win in the Qualifiers however Head Coach Ian Watson knows the talent and danger they possess ahead of Sunday’s clash at the MBi Shay.
Watson said: “Thinking back to a couple of years ago, Halifax did really well in this competition and in Widnes and Leigh they beat a couple of teams they hadn’t expected to beat. I think that they will shock a couple of teams again this time, so it means we will have to be completely up to speed on Sunday.
“I really enjoyed playing there in my playing days because the pitch is immaculate and enables you to produce good rugby. We are going to go to enjoy playing there.
“The danger for us is that having lost those early couple of games Halifax will be keen to get some points. They have been used to winning all season, and we know that they have some good systems in place and some really good, experienced players in their team.
“We simply have to be aware of the threats they pose to us, but equally aware of the threats we can pose to them.
“I do watch quite a lot of Championship games so I am well aware of the players in there and know just what Halifax are going to throw at us, how they play, and how their systems work. I also know their coach Richard Marshall. They do like to express themselves but it will all centre upon our attitude, professionalism and discipline.”
🗣 “Our supporters are more important than any others in the @SuperLeague.”
👉 Head Coach Ian Watson hails the support in recent weeks and hope it continues away at Halifax this weekend.
🎟 Buy now at the Ticket Office or over the phone! pic.twitter.com/0XFpdwvuX6
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) August 30, 2018
Salford head into this weekend’s clash on the back of two Qualifiers victories against Hull Kingston Rovers and Widnes Vikings.
“The lads have shown good game management, which is taking account of the playing conditions, knowing when to kick, and when to run the ball.
“We have a really good balance within the spine of the team now, and this is showing itself to be the most consistent it has been all season, as they have grown to know one another and build relationships among themselves which is good for the whole team.
“Rob has had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders all season, not only for himself but also the team as a whole, but the acquisition of Jackson Hastings and Joey Lussick has freed him up for him to show once again just what he is capable of doing.”
“It all goes to show that we have a good team, and now that these key players have been brought in, it is showing throughout them all. Our pack has been dominating other sides throughout the season, but at that time we just lacked the link to take the advantage, but we knew that sooner or later the right personnel would become available and we would then be able to turn it all around.”
Tickets are still available to purchase from the The Salford Stadium Ticket Office or over the phone on 0161 786 1570 up until 4pm on Saturday 1st September. Remember, the Club retain 25% of any advanced purchases from the The Salford Stadium. All ticket details can be found HERE.
There is still room on the second Supporters’ Coach available to book at the Club Ticket Office and over the phone on 0161 786 1570. The Club retain 100% of your booking fee. All Coach details can be seen HERE.
Flashback | Salford Red Devils 50-28 Halifax RLFC | Saturday 5th September 2015
This weekend Salford travel to Halifax in their third Qualifiers fixture of 2018 however it’s not the first trip to the MBi Shay in this competition.
We take a look back to 2015 when the Red Devils earned a 50-28 victory over Fax in a back-and-forth game, almost three years to the day of Sunday’s fixture.
In a high-scoring affair, three Red Devils managed to cross for hat-tricks with Niall Evalds, Ben Jones-Bishop and Greg Johnson all notching three tries apiece. Josh Griffin and Michael Dobson shared kicking duties kicking four and three goals, respectively.
👏 Last time we faced @Halifax_RLFC in 2015 fullback @NEvalds1993 was one of three @SalfordDevils to cross for a hat-trick.
👉 @NEvalds1993 has scored in both Qualifiers games so far this season, same again on Sunday? pic.twitter.com/QHmROFJILZ
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) August 31, 2018
Dobson created an opening in the early stages to send Evalds over to get the scoring underway before Johnson broke down the left-hand to further the Red Devils lead. Another Evalds try shortly after continued Salford’s dominance.
Halifax refused to lie down and managed to get themselves on the scoresheet through Dane Manning. However, the hosts would go into the break trailing 6-22 after Johnson scored his second before fellow winger Jones-Bishop opened his account for the afternoon.
George Griffin had a try disallowed just after the restart and Halifax capitalised as Scott Murrell collected his own kick to score. However, almost immediately, Evalds managed to scoop up a loose ball and race fifty metres to be the first Red Devil to complete their hat-trick.
The hosts again hit back as Jacob Fairbank went under the posts on the back of a break from Connor Robinson but three consecutive tries from Salford killed any hopes of a Fax comeback.
Jones-Bishop went the length of the field before Johnson followed up with another long-range try for his third. Jones-Bishop also notched his hat-trick in the closing stages on a rampant afternoon in attack for the Red Devils. Adam Tangata did grab a late consolation for Halifax.
The victory marked Salford’s third win in their opening four games of the 2015 Qualifiers after wins against Wakefield Trinity and Leigh Centurions.
The teams that day:
Halifax: Martin, Heaton, Eccleston, Tyrer, Saltonstall; C. Robinson, Murrell; Tangata, Kaye, Calahane, Moore, Manning, Fairbank.
Interchanges: Bracek, Maneely, A. Robinson, Ambler.
Salford: Evalds, Jones-Bishop, Thornley, J. Griffin, Johnson; Lee, Dobson; Taylor, Tomkins, G. Griffin, Hansen, Maitua, Paterson.
Interchanges: Krasniqi, Forster, J. Walne, Hood.
Tickets | Qualifiers trip to Halifax now on sale
Tickets are now on sale for our next away game against Halifax RLFC at the Mbi Shay on Sunday 2nd September – 3:00pm kick-off in Round Three of The Qualifiers.
Prices will rise on gameday by £2 while Junior tickets will rise to £5 so purchase from the The Salford Stadium in advance to save money. Remember, Salford Red Devils retain 25% of any purchases made in advance from the The Salford Stadium Ticket Office.
Tickets will be available to purchase from the The Salford Stadium up until 4:30pm on Saturday 1st September which means they will be available over the upcoming weekend in which we don’t have a game.
Junior Swaps will be available for the game however fans must swap at the The Salford Stadium Ticket Office in advance as swaps will not be done at The Mbi Shay.
Salford Red Devils fans will be located in the South Stand Terrace. However, there are also a limited amount of more expensive seated tickets available, please call 0161 786 1570 for more information.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Adults: £17.
Senior (65+): £12.
Students: £9.
Junior (Under 16): £1.
Pre-School: Do not need a ticket.
There is also a Supporters’ Coach available for fans wanting to make the trip to The Mbi Shay on Sunday 2nd September.
The coach is priced at £14 for all classes and Salford Red Devils retain 100% of all coach booking fees with the The Salford Stadium operating the ticketing process for the Supporters’ Coach.
The pick-up points and times can be seen below:
Chandos: 12:10pm.
Royal Sovereign: 12:20pm.
Eccles Town Hall: 12:35pm.
Dog & Partridge: 12:40pm.
The Salford Stadium: 1pm.
Please arrive at your pick-up point with plenty of time.
For any enquiries regarding ticketing for our trip to Halifax please contact us on 0161 786 1570 or E-Mail enquiries@salfordreddevils.net.
Welcome the Wolfpack!
Tickets for our next home game against Toronto Wolfpack on Saturday 8th September are available to purchase at the Club Ticket Office, over the phone on 0161 786 1570 or SAVE MONEY by buying online, just CLICK HERE.
