MATCH REPORT – WIGAN WARRIORS 26-8 SALFORD RED DEVILS (BETFRED SUPER LEAGUE ROUND 24)

Too many errors ultimately cost Salford Red Devils at the DW Stadium this evening.

Wigan Warriors went top of the Betfred Super League, as we slipped out of the top six with a 26-8 defeat in Round 24.

Paul Rowley was able to name an unchanged line-up for a fourth consecutive fixture and his side were aiming to earn a third win on the bounce.

After trading the first few sets, Ken Sio was bundled into touch by four Wigan players and the host began their first meaningful charge on the Salford line.

Despite conceding a six-again, some good D – particularly from Ollie Partington – forced a loose pass from Harry Smith, which bobbled into touch.

Down the other end, Chris Atkin was on the receiving end of a nasty tackle from Bevan French, with Ryan Brierley knocking over two points from the resulting penalty-goal.

It wasn’t long until the Warriors hit back, however. Liam Farrell skipped past three Red Devils’ players on the left edge to slide over.

Errors hampered Salford’s attacking play; like one instance a few minutes later where no-one was at dummy-half when Danny Addy had the ball just a metre from the Wigan line.

Brierley pulled us level just before the half-hour mark – with the boot again when Farrell was penalised for leaving the scrum too early.

The hosts were straight back on the attack and when Tim Lafai pulled back Kai Pearce-Paul on the last, another full set to defend on our own line ultimately proved costly.

Some quick hands on the right edge released Abbas Miski and the Lebanese international did the rest.

That try put Wigan right on top and Jai Field’s neat cut-out pass just minutes later allowed Jake Wardle to crash over.

Salford needed the half-time hooter to regroup, but it was their last off-the-cuff play that perhaps sealed defeat.

Sneyd tried a high bomb, with multiple Salford bodies in pursuit, but Field was underneath to claim and race the full length with open grass.

HALF-TIME: Wigan Warriors 20-4 Salford Red Devils

There were some promising moments in attack throughout the contest, but our execution was just off.

Chris Atkin’s break early in the second-half was one example, with Croft almost finishing the job before a few Wigan bodies managed to claw the Aussie back.

The job got even harder when King Vuniyayawa was sent to the sin bin. Sam Stone lost possession and when it looked like French was making a quick break, the Fijian caught him high.

Wigan took advantage of the numbers and Field’s probing attack allowed French to flick a creative pass out to Toby King, who strolled over and under the sticks.

That was Wigan’s only points of the second half, with a tired-looking 13 working really hard to keep the danger-men from inflicting any more damage.

Going the other way, Brierley’s double-pump sent Sio away in the corner, for our only try of the evening.

The full-time hooter signalled defeat, but attentions will now quickly turn to a vital home clash with Warrington Wolves next Sunday, live on Channel 4.

FULL-TIME: Wigan Warriors 26-8 Salford Red Devils

Photo credit: James Giblin Photography

MATCH PREVIEW – WIGAN WARRIORS VS SALFORD RED DEVILS (BETFRED SUPER LEAGUE ROUND 24)

Its 2nd vs 6th in the Betfred Super League, as we travel to the DW Stadium this evening.

Our Round 24 clash against Wigan Warriors is significant in so many ways, but with a playoff place still on the line, the Red Devils will want to take a huge step forward with victory tonight.

The last time we visited Matt Peet’s side, in early March, a 14-8 lead with just 10 minutes left gave Salford a golden opportunity to steal two points.

However, late tries from Bevan French and Toby King turned the game on its head and ended the Red Devils quest for three consecutive victories.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of a mouthwatering, live on Sky Sports:


SQUAD NEWS

Paul Rowley has had the pleasure of picking from an unchanged 21-man squad in the past few weeks.

The 17-man line-up has remained the same for three consecutive fixtures and our Head Coach has the ability to do the same this evening, if he pleases.

James Greenwood is the only casualty from last weekโ€™s squad, with Rhys Williams jumping back into the travelling pack.


INU’S PREVIEW

Ahead of this one, Krisnan Inu faced the media and was asked what we can do to limit the threat Wigan possess – particularly through their spine.

“They’ve been one of the top four teams all season,” Inu began.

“They’re one of the benchmark teams and they showed it last week. They’ve been awesome; especially going to Catalans, performing the way they did, against a top side.

“They’re one of the in-form teams and they’ve showed it week-in, week-out – it’s going to be a tough ask this weekend.”

You can watch Inu’s full press conference on RDTV now by clicking HERE!


HOW TO BUY TICKETS!

There is still plenty of time to join us at the DW Stadium tonight.

Tickets can be purchased HERE, with collections from the Salford Stadium available until around 3pm; whereafter, they will be taken to the Wigan Warriors ticket office for collection.

Alternatively, pay on the day is also an option for travelling supporters!

WIGAN WARRIORS VS SALFORD RED DEVILS SELECTED FOR TV COVERAGE

Our Betfred Super League Round 24 clash against Wigan Warriors has been selected for Sky Sports coverage.

There is no change to date or kick-off time, with the fixture set to get underway at 8pm on Friday, September 1st.

A reminder that tickets for this particular fixture are on sale now. Click HERE to secure your place at the DW Stadium.

Matt Peet’s side have emerged successful in both meetings in 2023.

The last time we visited the DW, in early March, a 14-8 lead with just 10 minutes left gave Salford a golden opportunity to steal two points.

However, late tries from Bevan French and Toby King turned the game on its head and ended the Red Devils quest for three consecutive victories.

WIGAN WARRIORS VS SALFORD RED DEVILS – TICKET INFORMATION

Salford Red Devils will continue their playoff push with a trip to Wigan Warriors at the start of September.

After two close, but ultimately unsuccessful matches against Matt Peet’s side in 2023, we will be looking to leave the DW Stadium with a pair of valuable competition points this time around.

The game takes place on Friday, September 1st, at 8pm.

Tickets for this particular fixture are availableย NOW. Clickย HEREย to secure your tickets!

The different price bands and a reminder of our ticket office opening times can be found below.

VARIANTPRICE
Adultsยฃ26
Over 60โ€™sยฃ19
18-21ยฃ18
Under 18ยฃ12
Junior Memberยฃ5
Under 8sFOC
CarerFOC (with paying ambulant/wheelchair disabled)

Disabled supporters are charged at the appropriate rate and can be bought directly from our ticket office by calling 01617861570.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that Salford Red Devils receive commission on all tickets pre-purchased from Salford Stadium and nothing from on the day sales, so we urge you to buy your tickets from us directly.

RED DEVILS SHAKE WARRIORS WITH OPENING BLITZ

Salford Reserves 12 ย Wigan Reserves 42 Match Report

First team rugby apart, Salfordโ€™s results of matches with the Wigan Warriors at virtually every other level, over decades, have been littered with defeats by considerable amounts, and on some occasions without the Reds even managing to get on the scoreboard.

Not on the occasion last Monday evening, when the two sides met once again, however, with the Red Devils stunning their visitors with a whirlwind of an opening which saw them cross twice in the first ten minutes, to open up an eight-point lead, which could have been even more but for Jack Stevensโ€™s attempted conversion to the first, hitting the upright.

What was all the more remarkable was that the Salford team was the most inexperienced Reserve side to have taken the field, this season.  Most encouraging of all was the fact that eight of them had come through the Salford Pathway, having played in the age-related youth sides such as the Salford Red Devils College Academy U19s.

One name, which will possibly be remembered by those familiar with that particular group of players, is that of Nathan Connell, who, along with others, over recent seasons has caught the eye on a regular basis with some significant contributions to the sideโ€™s performances.  For him, though, this match turned out to be a personal triumph, with his being absolutely pivotal to that opening onslaught.

On the fourth tackle of the very first set, he slipped a cleverly timed pass to another of the Pathways group, George Charnock, which put the centre into the clear, and then backed him up all the way to take the return pass and score to the right of the posts giving the Red Devils one of their fastest opening tries of the season.

It was then on ten minutes that a Salford end-of-set kick to the left corner was fumbled backwards by Wigan, and again it was he, who was first to pounce and double their lead.

Unfortunately, we had to wait until midway through the second half for the Reds to increase their score further, but it was well worth the wait with its coming from some most impressive handling along the line from left to right, and each pass most telling.  The final, long pass, which we tend to associate solely with Super League rugby, was yet again from Connell with his floating the ball straight into the hands of right winger, Billy Walkley, who did well to cross in the corner, to wrap up the Salford account.

Yes, it was Wigan, who they were playing, and once they had got over their opening shock, they took control in the way that Wigan feeder teams always do, against almost anyone.  The final thirty points difference, though, was far lower than has often been the case in the past, and that is testament just as much to the Salford defence, as to their attack.

Sadly, one early, most valiant try-saving tackles, on five minutes, by left winger, Calum Hughes, led to a lengthy stoppage in play as, in so doing, he received a nasty-looking injury, which required hospital attention.

Most coincidentally, the second half was similarly disrupted on the fifth minute of that half, when the doctor was called to the Wigan dressing room to deal with one of their players, who had suffered an injury, late in the first half, and again a lengthy period had to elapse before the doctor was able to return pitch-side, and the game could resume.

Other players who can feel well-satisfied with their performances were prop, Lucas Iles, who stood up magnificently to the strength of the Wigan pack which included Riโ€™chards Nsemba, whose first team experience was quite evident, and Jack Stevens, whose lack of success with his kicks at goal was made up for with his more general kicking-game, which included a superb forty-twenty, towards the end of the game.

Coach, Stuart Wilkinson, was justifiably not only well pleased with his sideโ€™s performance throughout the whole game, but also highly impressed with the clubโ€™s handling of the two medical incidents, which caused such intrusion into the gameโ€™s continuity.

โ€œI was most impressed with the way the club handled both incidents.  Our physios, doctor, and club officers all responded brilliantly, remaining calm, supportive and professional throughout, in a way that one would always hope for.  They all deserve the utmost praise for their handling of both situations,โ€ was his judgement.

SALFORD

Nathan Connell, Billy Walkley, George Charnock, Calum Hughes, Matthew Rudd, Jack Stevens, Alex Davidson, Kellen Wood, Lucas Iles, Joseph Cooper-Franklin, Jacob Lee, Matthew Unsworth

Substitutes

Harry Files, Mason Phillips, Jorge Cabral, Finlay Yates, Euan Haynes

WIGAN

Noah Hodkinson, Ethan Fitzgerald, Nathan Lowe, Jeffrey Maddox, Charlie Yeomans, Jack Farrimond, Trent Kelly-Duffy, Thomas Forber, Kian McDermott, Finlay Irwin, Riโ€™chards Nsemba, Taylor Kerr

Substitutes

Dylan Kelly-Duffy, Ryan Brown, Harvey Wilson, Reece Bushell, Kalum Rathbone

RED DEVILS IN DEPTH: SALFORD V WIGAN

After a monthโ€™s absence from their home venue at the Salford Stadium, the Red Devils returned from their travels, on Sunday last, to entertain the Wigan Warriors, in what turned out to be, since their move there, a record attendance of spectators, for this Round 16 encounter.

It must have felt like an extremely bold step for the Directors to target, publicly, the breaking of the previously existing record, but by so doing it pioneered the way for the newly publicly owned club to draw on its resources of bodies around the town to rally round and help drive up the numbers to ensure a successful outcome in this respect.

It was not only the attendance, however, which marked the occasion, as a whole-day event had been planned to celebrate both the first home fixture under the new ownership and also Armed Forces Day, which culminated with a triple shot from a cannon at the northwest corner of the ground, thereby rousing the assembled multitude to greater excitement than ever.

And so, even before a ball had been kicked, the day had proved to be a considerable success and significant occasion for all those present, for which every single person involved in its inception and organisation deserves the utmost praise and gratitude.

For a game against such a side as the mighty Warriors and on such a special occasion, however, the side would really have preferred not to have had two members of its spine missing through injury, as was the case with both Andy Ackers and Brodie Croft.ย  Not that that reflects in any way upon their replacements, Amir Bourouh and the versatile Chris Atkin, who both slotted in smoothly at hooker and half back, respectively.

To then lose a third member of that crucial spine, in Ryan Brierley from the fullback role, on 35 mins, however, was a blow which really took its toll alongside the others, and it was probably as a result of the reorganization necessitated by this that led to the visitors snatching a half time lead from the grasp of the reshuffled Salford side, three minutes from the interval.

Every minute of that first half, though, had been keenly contested, set-for-set, throughout the full forty-minutes, with the Red Devils standing up magnificently to the Wiganers throughout the first quarter of the game, with solid defence and strong carries forward.

It was, therefore, as late as the 21st minute, before the Warriors opened the scoring with an unconverted try, after a sustained period of pressure brought about by repeat sets on the back of goal-line drop-outs and occasional Salford touches of the ball.  It is testament to the Salford players that they were able to repel the attack for as long as they had done.

Despite having had some early pressure of their own, though, the Red Devils had not really had sufficient field position to ask many questions of the Wigan defence, but then produced their best attack of the half when fine interplay down the left between Joe Burgess, Brierley, and Tim Lafai, took them into their opponents twenty metre area.ย 

An obliging penalty helped them remain a little bit longer down there, and after Ken Sio had gone close to scoring, the ever-improving Ben Helliwell put himself in a great position to receive Marc Sneydโ€™s slick pass and go over for their one try of the game, which, with Sneydโ€™s conversion, put them in front.

Having had the half-time break in which to restructure and regalvanise the side after the loss of Brierley, the Reds went straight into the attack, and good handling forced a most promising-looking overlap, on 43 mins, only for a rather wild pass into touch to scupper the opportunity, when simple one-to-on passing might well have turned the game in their favour.

As it was, a Salford handling error, three minutes later saw Wigan draw further ahead with a try direct from the ensuing scrum, with two more scores coming at ten to twelve minute intervals, to stretch the score beyond the hopes of the Red Devils.

They nevertheless still continued to take the game to Wigan in the last ten minutes but so well-drilled is the Warriorsโ€™ defence that they were prepared to concede set-restarts, which would once have brought a penalty, right throughout the game, thus nullifying the Salford attack, until six minutes from the end, when another missed opportunity, this time on the left, was lost with a poor final pass to Burgess, who would have had a walk in.

Looking back on the second half, unlike the visitors who were clinical in their finishing, it was the Reds’ failure to capitalise on those two scoring opportunities which gave the final score such a significant difference. ย Even had only one of them brought a try it would have put them into double figures, whilst scoring both and with conversions would have put them within a somewhat more creditable eight points.

Disappointing a result as it was, though, it could in no way detract from the impressive event the club had turned the day into being.ย  It is an occasion when everyone could feel proud to have been involved with the club and to have been in attendance to savour and enjoy it.

MATCH REPORT – SALFORD RED DEVILS 6-26 WIGAN WARRIORS (BETFRED SUPER LEAGUE ROUND 16)

Wigan Warriors went home with the two points in Round 16 of the Betfred Super League.

On a day where we broke our club attendance record, Salford Red Devils came up short on the field; a result which sees us drop to 5th on points difference.

After the loud bang of the field gun, it was the atmosphere that deafened the Salford Stadium, right from the first whistle.

Marc Sneyd’s kick-off caused a bit of confusion, but after a few bobbles, Liam Marshall claimed and got his side powering upfield.

The first twenty minutes was nip-and-tuck, trading sets on halfway and neither side making much progress in the final third.

A half-break and a few Salford penalties later, Joe Shorrocks made the breakthrough for Wigan.

Harry Smith – who’s kicking was a nightmare all afternoon – sent through a teasing grubber for the back-rower to slam down and open the scoring.

The visitors were firmly on top and some scramble defence minutes later prevented a second try – this time via the leap of Abbas Miski.

Bevan French threatened a breakaway with an intercept, but Joe Burgess managed to claw the halfback down before he could make any progress.

A knock-on one play later handed us possession and some smart play from Sneyd cut the Warriors wide open.

Stepping inside the defensive line, our number seven delayed his pass and slipped in Ben Hellewell to slide over for his first in a Salford shirt.

Sneyd’s conversion handed us the lead.

We were handed a massive blow on the 35-minute mark, with Ryan Brierley failing a HIA after a collision with French.

Ken Sio shifted to full-back, with Deon Cross on the wing and Matt Costello replacing the missing position at centre.

Just before the break, Wigan struck via the lightening break of Jai Field. He found the gap and had Liam Farrell in support to flick the pass and slide over.

HALF-TIME: Salford Red Devils 6-8 Wigan Warriors

Wigan were the quickest out the blocks in the second forty, and Miski extended the lead following neat move from a scrum.

Despite some valiant defending, the visitors really started to pick up steam and a high tackle from Burgess allowed them to create their next try.

A combination of Jake Wardle and Farrell sent the former over for his second of the afternoon in the left corner.

Some positive running from Burgess tried to claw Salford back into the contest, but Wigan made sure of the points with five minutes to play.

Sneyd sent a high bomb into the right corner which Cross kept alive; Costello tried another desperate kick that deflected kindly for Marshall to grab and sprint 80 metres downfield to score.

FULL-TIME: Salford Red Devils 6-26 Wigan Warriors

Photo credit: Steve McCormick.

MATCH PREVIEW – SALFORD RED DEVILS VS WIGAN WARRIORS (BETFRED SUPER LEAGUE ROUND 16)

It’s Armed Forces Appreciation Day at Salford Red Devils!

With musical entertainment, a military village and so much more going on at the Salford Stadium, there’s plenty to do for all the family.

All this acts as a backdrop to a mouth-watering Lancashire derby between Salford and Wigan Warriors in Round 16 of the Betfred Super League.

After elimination from the Betfred Challenge Cup last weekend, Paul Rowley’s side are looking to bounce back against one of the form teams of 2023.

Here’s everything you need to know before this one:


SQUAD NEWS

There is one change from our Challenge Cup quarter-final squad.

Brodie Croft is not fit to feature in this one, so Ellis Longstaff replaces him in the 21-man, with Andy Ackers still missing due to concussion protocols.


LAFAI’S PREVIEW

Despite some injury concerns this week, it has been a huge boost to see Tim Lafai back to best.

The Samoan international made the Super League Dream Team last season and has been reminding people of his quality since returning from a calf injury.

Speaking to him after Captain’s run, the centre admitted he’s loved being back amongst it: “Yeah, it’s been a while, but it’s good to be back running with the boys again,” he began.

“I’ve definitely missed them on the sidelines and I’m slowly getting back into form. I’m forming some nice combinations with Stoney, Budge and Sneydy, so it’s going in the right direction!”

Catch our full chat on YouTube now by clicking below!


HOW TO BUY TICKETS

There’s so much going on at our family fun day.

To avoid any disruption entering the ground, we advise booking in advance. Click HERE to secure your place!

We’re aiming to break our record attendance of 7102 at the Salford Stadium and we are so close, so please tell your friends, tell your family, tell anyone to come down and enjoy everything on offer – there is something for everyone!

The activity kicks off from 11am, with the our Lancashire derby getting underway at 3pm!


LIV’S TRUST TO PERFORM AT SALFORD RED DEVILS ARMED FORCES APPRECIATION DAY

We are delighted that Liv’s Trust will be performing at our Armed Forces Appreciation day.

Set up in memory of Olivia Campbell-Hardy, who was killed in the Manchester Arena terror attack, the local charity enables under twenty-fives in Greater Manchester get help and receive education in music & dance.

They provide free music clubs and give taster days completely free of charge.

All of this supports young people in further education and even gives opportunities for those who struggle in mainstream education to complete arts awards.

Between 12:30-12:50 on Sunday, a select group of children from the charity will be completing their accredited qualification by performing a live DJ set.

Please come down and support this incredible cause by getting behind the participants.

Sharon Goodman, the charities Chair, has said: “Liv’s Trust believes that the young people they support are aware of the role the armed forces play, which enables us to live in a democracy where they are free to have these opportunities!”

To find out more about Liv’s Trust, please check out their website HERE.

If you want to learn more about our Armed Forces day, click HERE and secure your place today!

TEAM DRAINAGE & MR INVESTA SPONSOR SALFORD RED DEVILS VS WIGAN WARRIORS CLASH

We would like to extend a huge thank you to this Sunday’s match day and match ball sponsors, Team Drainage UK and Mr Investa.

A crucial Lancashire derby against Wigan Warriors is the centrepiece of a family fun day, where we’ll be celebrating the incredible work of our Armed Forces.

To secure your place, please click HERE to buy tickets.

Highlighting our match day sponsors, Team Drainage UK!

They are company run, with family connections throughout, resulting in all the teams working with passion, pride and a togetherness.

They are dedicated on delivering customers the highest standards of drainage services, leading to trusted results.

Their teams have worked from โ€œthe bottom of the pipe up to the topโ€, making sure three core values are in place; dedication, trusted and knowledgeable – with these in place you know your in safe hands.

Click HERE to check out their website.

Highlighting our match ball sponsor, Mr Investa!

They are the future of Buy To Let property offering a unique and bespoke service for Investor to Investor Sales.

Using the latest technology in the property market to give their clients a full insight to the properties and areas they offer from the comfort of their home, or on the go.

Click HERE to head to their website.

Find us on twitter

Load More...

Find us on Instagram

Sign up to the official newsletter