Salford v Wakefield.

As far as the 2022 season goes this match could prove a real turning point. Both sides are level with ten points, five victories each from their fifteen games so far. Salford stay above Wakefield currently in the table due to a slightly better points difference. Warrington also have ten points with Leeds on eleven. At the moment Toulouse are the fall guys and favourites for relegation to the Championship. The French side have four points but do have a run of home matches coming up over the next month or so. If they were to pick a few wins up it will make the back end of the season very interesting and exciting.

Wakefield were the much better side when they played Salford at Belle Vue back in April and they took the victory. Trinity have won two matches on the spin, a golden point extra time win over Hull was backed up by another comeback victory over Warrington last time out. Head coach Willie Poching has got his side playing with plenty of spirit and it seems when the chips are down and backs are against the wall Trinity will come out fighting. That makes them a very dangerous opponent for Salford this Sunday.

It’s over twenty years now since Wakefield gained promotion back to the top flight of Rugby League. Trinity won a glorious Division one Grand Final victory over Featherstone Rovers back in September 1998 in front of a crowd of 8,224. Since then they’ve managed to survive some mighty dog fights at the bottom of the table as well as some really solid seasons where they have competed in the playoffs. It’s fair to say for a club their size Wakefield have punched above their weight. Many of the elite teams in the Super League have been put to the sword at the famous old Belle Vue Stadium.

Looking at the bookmakers odds during the week their wasn’t much between the two sides, Salford were made slight favourites with a six point handicap.

Super League Home record.

Salford 16

Draws 1

Wakefield 10

1999 Salford 28 Wakefield 14

2000 Salford 14 Wakefield 22

2001 Salford 26 Wakefield 16

2001 Salford 24 Wakefield 32

2002 Salford 42 Wakefield 18

2002 Salford 22 Wakefield 22

2004 Salford 20 Wakefield 27

2005 Salford 16 Wakefield 14

2005 Salford 37 Wakefield 0

2006 Salford 48 Wakefield 10

2006 Salford 26 Wakefield 12

2007 Salford 18 Wakefield 35

2009 Salford 24 Wakefield 30

2010 Salford 16 Wakefield 12

2011 Salford 34 Wakefield 12

2012 Salford 34 Wakefield 42 (played at Leigh)

2013 Salford 10 Wakefield 46

2014 Salford 18 Wakefield 14

2015 Salford 24 Wakefield 18

2015 Salford 34 Wakefield 26 (middle eights)

2016 Salford 38 Wakefield 8

2017 Salford 24 Wakefield 34

2017 Salford 18 Wakefield 43 (Super 8s)

2018 Salford 38 Wakefield 4

2019 Salford 44 Wakefield 20

2020 Salford 12 Wakefield 22

2021 Salford 24 Wakefield 14 (played At Halliwell Jones Stadium)

They played for both.

Here are a few players who represented both clubs:

Ben Jones Bishop, Mason Caton Brown, Tim Smith, Kevin Locke, Matty Ashurst, Ged Byrne, Garen Casey, Shane Kenward, Jason Critchley, Ashley Gibson, Sean Gleeson, Bobbie Goulding, Josh Griffin, George Griffin, Darrell Griffin, Phil Hassan, James Hasson, Stuart Howarth, Alan Hunte, Greg Johnson, Warren Jowitt, Andy Kirk, Tommy Lee, Francis Maloney, Martin Moana, Kris Tassell, Jason Walton, Josh Wood, Liam Hood, Jeremy Smith, Lee Gaskell and Craig Kopzack.

A match to remember Saturday 17th August 2002.

Salford 22 Wakefield 22

With both sides battling at the wrong end of the table the two points on offer here we’re priceless. Salford we’re having a miserable season. Big defeats away from home and at The Willows we’re becoming far to frequent.

Wakefield went ahead in the sixth minute with a penalty from Ian Knott before a Steve Blakeley try and two Graham Holroyd goals put Salford 8-2 up.

Wakefield drew level when Andrew Frew collected Deon Bird’s pass to go over and Knott landed a penalty after a high tackle by Andy Coley on Paul Jackson.

The teams went in level at half time 8-8.

Early in the second half, the impressive Brad Davis added a drop goal.

The Australian half back was a constant threat with his organisational skills.

Danny Arnold put Salford back in front on the hour with a well taken try before Wakefield took a commanding ten point lead.

Andrew Frew touched down from a kick through, Davis added the conversion and then booted his second drop goal before capping a fine display by finishing off Deon Bird’s break for a try, which he then converted.

Salford now staring down the barrel of another defeat needed something special and they certainly got it.

Arnold squeezed in at the corner for his second try before sub Ian Watson darted over and Graham Holroyd coolly landed the conversion to level the match. After a frantic finale both sides had to settle for a point in a 22-22 draw.

The relegation battle when right down to the wire. Salford had to beat Castleford on the final day of the season at The Willows to survive. Sadly another poor performance and a 10-20 defeat resulted in relegation to National League one.

The club re grouped under coach Karl Harrison and a terrific season in 2003 saw Salford back in the big time after promotion.

The teams that day;

Salford: Gibson, Reardon, Maloney, Hunte, Arnold, Holroyd, Blakeley, Baynes, Alker, Highton, Ebrill, Treacey, Wainwright. Subs: Southern, Price, Coley, Watson.

Wakefield: Holland, Sovatabua, Tassell, Bird, Frew, Moana, Davis, Jackson, Vowles, Feather, Slattery, Field, Knott. Subs: Broadbent, March, Handforth, Ellis.

Referee: Russell Smith (Castleford)

Attendance: 3,217.

Sunday’s match.

Looking back to last weekend it was great to see Salford represented in the England v Combined Nations game. Kallum Watkins was rewarded for his excellent form with a starting spot in the centre for England and he looked very solid. Brodie Croft looked sharp in the halves for the Combined Nations and Ken Sio grabbed a try. Wakefield also had three representatives in the Combined Nations team with Jacob Miller, David Fifita and Kelepi Tanginoa.

Wakefield have shown a lot of character in their recent matches and with Mason Lino and Jacob Miller pulling the strings in the halves Trinity can create chances with ball in hand. Former Salford hooker Liam Hood is now with Trinity and has plenty of pace. Hood can be dangerous running from dummy half and he will be one to watch. Another former Salford player is Matty Ashurst. The hardworking back rower gets through plenty of work and is also a strong runner down the channels. Lee Gaskell is another clever player who can link up well as a pivot.

Paul Rowley has some selection decisions of his own to make. Will he keep faith with Croft and Marc Sneyd at half back or will Chris Atkin get the nod. Trinity have a pretty strong pack so one option for Rowley would be four forwards on the bench. Morgan Escare will be pushing for a spot in the side. Escare can be very elusive and he’s spent time on loan at Wakefield earlier this season.

One player who’s really impressed me in Salford’s last two matches is Tyler Dupree. The twenty two year runs the ball in hard and has a clever off load game. Tyler has a very bright future and I hope it’s with Salford.

The Red Devils need to start on the front foot and take their chances this Sunday. This is a pivotal match for both sides. All is not lost whatever the result but a victory will certainly release some pressure.

The action gets under way at 3pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme