Warrington v Salford.

I don’t think even the most optimistic Salford supporter expected that result against. The entire back line looked tremendous with each one scoring tries apart from poor Marc Sneyd who was pulled back for a forward pass. The pack terrorised Wakefield all afternoon. Alex Gerrard at times played like a stand off with his lovely repertoire of short passes. Kallum Watkins was a tower of strength in both attack and defence, it was a difficult job picking a man of the match. Brodie Croft got the award after his all action display at stand off. The Australian is performing to a very high standard every week now and teams are struggling to cope with him.

It was great to see both wingers Ken Sio and Joe Burgess flying down the flanks for super tries but let’s also credit their respective centre partners. Tim Lafai again created for Burgess and Deon Cross has got to be one of the signings of the year. Some people say Salford are off the cuff but I think in a way this is doing the team a disservice. Sunday wasn’t off the cuff it was planned and calculated. I spoke to Ryan Brierley after the game and the work he does off the field with Croft and Sneyd is certainly paying off. The three meet regularly and plan how they are going to attack their opponents.

In the Super League Era we as Salford supporters have witnessed many 50,60 and 70 point defeats. Also an 82 and 96 point defeat too so it was nice to be on the right side of one last Sunday. In a way it’s been a rollercoaster season so far. Two victories over Castleford and Leeds were followed by a thumping a Hull Kingston Rovers then defeat to Wigan. The team can go into Sunday’s game knowing that a win over Warrington puts them right amongst the challengers for the top six.

The Wolves were desperately searching a victory last weekend after a really worrying run of results. They managed to scrape past Hull in a try less match 4-0. That said though a win is a win and that will do Daryl Powell and his team the world of good. Let’s not forget Warrington have already beat Salford this season 32-18.

Super League Away record.

Warrington 20

Draws 0

Salford 9

1997 Warrington 23 Salford 8

1998 Warrington 4 Salford 37

1999 Warrington 28 Salford 14

2000 Warrington 32 Salford 18

2000 Warrington 38 Salford 10

2001 Warrington 14 Salford 39

2002 Warrington 18 Salford 9

2002 Warrington 2 Salford 22

2004 Warrington 46 Salford 20

2005 Warrington 48 Salford 14

2005 Warrington 32 Salford 22

2006 Warrington 6 Salford 24

2006 Warrington 6 Salford 22

2007 Warrington 42 Salford 6

2009 Warrington 62 Salford 20

2010 Warrington 32 Salford 2

2011 Warrington 16 Salford 18

2012 Warrington 24 Salford 20

2013 Warrington 68 Salford 10

2014 Warrington 36 Salford 20

2015 Warrington 22 Salford 8

2016 Warrington 40 Salford 14

2017 Warrington 12 Salford 38

2018 Warrington 30 Salford 14

2019 Warrington 12 Salford 36

2019 Warrington 12 Salford 22

2020 Warrington 24 Salford 0 (match forfeited, Warrington awarded win)

2021 Warrington 20 Salford 19

2022 Warrington 32 Salford 18

They played for both.

Here are a few players to wear the red of Salford and the primrose and blue of Warrington.

Vinny Anderson, kevin Ashcroft, Richie Barnett, Steve Blakeley, Martin Crompton, John Duffy, Phil Ford, Martin Gleeson, Andy Gregory, Danny Halliwell, Neil Harmon, Alan Hunte, David Highton, Danny Lima, Lama Tasi, Tyrone McCarthy, Francis Maloney, Adrian Morley, Chris Morley, Ben Murdoch Masila, Richie Myler, Adam Neal, Gareth O Brien, Rob Parker, Stefan Ratchford, Stuart Reardon, Ian Sibbit, Kevin Tamati, Mike Wainwright and John Wilshere.

A match to remember Friday 10th April 1998.

Warrington 4 Salford 37.

This good Friday fixture was just over 21 years ago. Thinking back it doesn’t seem that long ago at all. Where have all those seasons gone!!

The 1998 season was our second in Super League and after modest success in 1997 under coach Andy Gregory Salford supporters were excited to kick on.

The league campaign had got underway the previous week with a narrow 14-18 home defeat at The Willows against St. Helens.

The new look Reds had recruited heavily in the build up to the season and expectations were high.

A very healthy crowd packed the terraces at Wilderspool as the two sides ran out for kick off. The atmosphere at the ‘zoo’ as it was affectionately known was always special as well being quite intimidating for an away supporter. Salford always took a very big, vocal following there and it was probably my favourite away day.

From minute one Salford dominated in attack and defence. Warrington were shell shocked. The miserable weather conditions didn’t really allow free flowing rugby but Salford wore there opponents down with grit and determination. Scoring some excellent team tries as well as tackling the wolves to a stand still. The hosts only score came from centre Toa Kohe-Love.

The Reds bagged seven tries, Darren Rogers two, Dave Bradbury, Gary Broadbent, Paul Forber, Scott Naylor and David Hulme all crossing.

New signing Martin Crompton kicked four goals and dropped a goal to cap off a remarkable afternoon.

The teams that day were;

Warrington.

Penny, Roach, Kohe-Love, Fawcett, Forster, Doyle, Briers, Fogerty, Farrar, Nutley, McCurrie, Tuuta, Wainwright. Subs, Rudd, Causey, Chambers, Knott.

Salford.

Broadbent, Hassan, Naylor, Mcavoy, Rogers, White, Crompton, Savelio, Edwards, Esene Faimalo , Joe Faimalo, Bradbury, Hulme.

Subs, Martin, Lee, Forber, Southern.

Attendance 5,567

Referee, Robert Connolly.

Sunday’s match.

In Rugby League the word consistently gets used all the time by coaches, players and supporters. It’s what every club is striving for and if you could bottle it by the gallon it would be priceless. If Salford can play at the same intensity this Sunday against Warrington they’ve got a great chance of winning the match. At the moment Salford coach Paul Rowley is struggling with lots of injuries. Last week against Wakefield he was down to just nineteen fit players. So it’s not going to be easy over the next few weeks trying to manage the squad and keep players healthy. The Wolves have a much bigger pool of players to pick from and despite their poor form in 2022 they have plenty of quality in their squad. George Williams played for England along with Mike Cooper earlier this month. Matty Ashton and Josh Thewlis have plenty of pace on the edges and with the experience Stefan Ratchford and Gareth Widdop bring to the team it’s quite puzzling that the Wolves are so low down the table.

Like winning though losing can become a habit. Pressure builds week after week and perhaps that 4-0 victory over Hull will see a response.

This is always a favourite away trip for Salford supporters and Sundays clash promises to be a fascinating encounter.

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