St.Helens v Salford

I am not quite sure if this is a fixture Salford’s supporters look forward to but with the record we have in this fixture the prize of being there on the terraces to witness a victory is pretty much priceless. Forty four years have past since Salford’s last away win at St.Helens, it came on 12th January 1980. Eight days later a home defeat at the Willows to Blackpool Borough brought us back down to earth!

Rugby League and life in general has changed so much since 1980 and hopefully it’s a record we can put to bed once and for all sooner rather than later.

St.Helens have started the season in very good form conceding just eight points in their three matches. It’s that granite like defence that the club prides itself on as well as their dazzling attacking.

Salford were fantastic last Saturday against a much fancied Hull Kingston Rovers side who perhaps underestimated the Red Devils. Losing Ryan Brierley just prior to kick off was a huge blow but the players seemed to take it in their stride. The defence in the first half was absolutely sensational. The Robins dominated possession but Salford held a 12-0 lead at the break. It took the visitors fifty five minutes to cross for a try and once again in the final ten minutes Salford defended as though their lives depended on it.

One thing is certain, to have a chance of toppling St.Helens, Salford’s defence will have to be even better this Friday. Coming to grounds like this you know your going to get tested and there will be times when your on the ropes and under massive pressure.

Amir Bourouh played his heart out again last week and it’s great to see him making the hooking role his own. Chris Hankinson had an excellent game, Marc Sneyd controlled the match from minute on to eighty and the pack dominated. In fact the whole team contributed with every player working their socks in what was a real team effort.

Saints beat Leigh 12-4 last Friday in what at times seemed quite a bad tempered affair.

Super League away record.

St Helens 29

Draws 0

Salford 0

1997 St. Helens 19 Salford 12

1998 St. Helens 48 Salford 12

1999 St. Helens 48 Salford 0

2000 St. Helens 46 Salford 22

2000 St. Helens 50 Salford 28

2001 St. Helens 66 Salford 16

2002 St. Helens 34 Salford 2

2004 St. Helens 40 Salford 4

2005 St. Helens 46 Salford 12

2006 St. Helens 28 Salford 6

2007 St. Helens 48 Salford 4

2007 St. Helens 27 Salford 26

2009 St. Helens 38 Salford 12

2010 St. Helens 58 Salford 34

2011 St. Helens 31 Salford 6 (played at Widnes)

2012 St. Helens 38 Salford 10

2013 St. Helens 14 Salford 10

2014 St. Helens 32 Salford 12

2015 St. Helens 32 Salford 12

2016 St. Helens 34 Salford 20

2017 St. Helens 25 Salford 24

2018 St. Helens 32 Salford 2

2019 St. Helens 32 Salford 30

2020 St.Helens 48 Salford 8

2021 St.Helens 29 Salford 6 (at Headingley, Leeds)

2021 St.Helens 28 Salford 0

2022 St.Helens 14 Salford 10

2022 St.Helens 19 Salford 12 (Play off semi final)

2023 St.Helens 26 Salford 12

They played for both.

Over the years there has been so much player movement between the two clubs. The town of St Helens is a real hot bed of the game with some fantastic amateur set ups including Thatto Heath, Blackbrook and Clock Face. In the Super League era Matty Smith, Joey Lussick, Jordan Turner, Lama Tasi, Tommy Lee and Theo Fages have all moved to Saints from Salford. Willie Talu, Tony Puletua, Francis Meli, Mark Edmondson, Matty Ashurst, Andrew Dixon, Danny Arnold, Mark Flanagan, Alan Hunte, Josh Jones, Bobbie Goulding, Lee Gaskell ,Paul Forber, Mark Lee, Jake Emmitt and Anthony Stewart to name a few in recent years to represent both sides.

Eric Prescott, Paul Groves, Paul Brownbill, John Mantle, Ken Gwilliam, George Nicholls and Darren Bloor played for both clubs in the pre super League era. The list could certainly go on as there are many more. Alex Murphy and Shaun McRae have coached both sides.

A match to remember, Saturday 17th September 2022.

St.Helens 19 Salford 12.

Salford arrived in St.Helens brimming with belief after a wonderful run of form that’s taken them to the last four in the Super League. The sun was shining for this early afternoon kick off and the Salford travelling support packed the away terrace. A line of coaches arrived around an hour before kick off and the noise outside the ground added to the special atmosphere. I wasn’t around in the 1970s but I’ve heard a fair bit about those days and the army of supporters who used to travel to matches.

Salford coach Paul Rowley had to make a slight alteration to his side with Brodie Croft missing but on the whole things stayed pretty settled. Chris Atkin started at stand off with Amir Bourouh slotting in on the bench.

The match started in rip roaring fashion and St.Helens came out firing. Salford lost Andy Ackers very early in the match with a head injury and sadly the Red Devils hooker didn’t return. Young hooker Bourouh was thrown into the action a lot earlier than he would of expected.

Saints enjoyed the early possession and territory. After coming close to a try from a kick into the in goal the home side got the games first try from another kick through. In form second rower Joe Batchelor pounced on Johnny Lomax’s measured kick to score.

Saints cranked the intensity level right up and looked set to score again but Joe Burgess saved a certain try with a last ditch ankle tap to thwart Tommy Mackinson. Salford were brave in defence and matched their hosts set for set but when Batchelor scored his second try the Red Devils were really under pressure 12-0 down.

Saints were tough in the tackle and their was no doubting the intensity of the occasion. Every tackle was a bone cruncher but when Morgan Knowles bent Chris Atkin’s arm behind his back referee Chris Kendall had no choice but send Knowles to the sin bin. Salford made it count and on their first real attack Kallum Watkins took a lovely pass from Atkin to power over.

Atkin was copping his fair amount of punishment in the tackles and when Jack Welsby hit him with an absolute bell ringer he shook it off and carried on.

As half time approached Mackinson attempted a penalty goal from almost forty yards out but it sailed wide.

Lomax continued to pull the strings for the home side and was a constant threat for Salford to deal with. As the hooter sounded he dropped a goal to give Saints a significant seven point lead 13-6 at the break.

The second half started in the same fashion as the first. Saints dominated for the first ten minutes but Salford weathered the storm soaking up plenty of pressure to snuff out the danger.

Salford then lit the fuse and the game set alight. Joe Burgess roared down the left wing passing to Ryan Brierley in support who raced under the sticks. The Salford’s supporters went ballistic. Sneyd converted, 13-12. Saints were blowing and the game seemed to be within Salford’s grasp. They attacked again and when a huge gap opened Elijah Taylor charged into score but the joy was short lived as referee Kendall adjudged it to be obstruction.

Marc Sneyd was penalised for a dubious looking high tackle and Saints snubbed the chance to kick the penalty instead looking for a knock out punch.

A try seemed on but a double movement got Salford off the hook.

Chris Atkin was clattered again and briefly left the field for the blood bin. He was soon back on the pitch, his spirit and commitment to the cause was remarkable.

You couldn’t take your eyes off the match. It was one of those games that seems to just fly by before your eyes. Everything happens so fast and before you know it the closing stages are approaching.

A lapse in concentration cost Salford very dearly. Another kick into the in goal from Lomax sat up perfectly and young fullback Jon Bennison raced out of nowhere to touch down inches from the dead ball line. The try was awarded after being checked by the video referee.

At 19-12 Salford continued to play attacking rugby and refused to give in. Tim Lafai chased a kick into the in goal but was dragged back by Mackinson. The Saints winger was sin binned but their was no checking with the video referee for a possible penalty try. Salford took it on the chin and carried on working until the final hooter.

This match would of made a grand final, a terrific advert for Rugby League. Yes their were controversial moments and things that will be argued over in the future.

The teams that day:

St.Helens.

Bennison, Mackinson, Hurrell, Mata’utia, Percival, Welsby, Lomax, Paasi, Roby, Lees, Batchelor, Sironen, Knowles.

Subs, Lussick, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Wingfield, Bell.

Salford.

Brierley, Sio, Cross, Lafai, Burgess, Atkin, Sneyd, Ormondroyd, Ackers, Vuniyayawa, Wright, Watkins, Taylor.

Subs, Luckley, Gerrard, Bourouh, Dupree.

Referee, Chris Kendall.

Attendance, 12,357.

Friday’s match.

What can we expect this Friday? Well Saints don’t give much away and can be a very physical team. Salford are going to have to work for everything and mistakes need to be at a minimum. Marc Sneyd will once again be pivotal for Salford. His leadership qualities and kicking game can guide Salford round the pitch. He has the ability to manage a game and play it at the tempo he requires. Sneyd’s goal kicking is also so valuable. Consistently going up in sixes is a massive mental advantage to a team.

St.Helens have plenty of players to keep an eye out for. The usual suspects Jack Welsby, Jonny Lomax, Mark Percival and Tommy Mackinson are main stays in a terrific back line full of power and pace. Jon Bennison is a cracking young player and Matt Whitley has been the stand out player so far this season since his move from Catalans. James Bell often goes under the radar but he always plays above his weight and young forward George Delaney has a bright future ahead of him.

Friday will be a huge test for Salford but in the three games so far the team have showed plenty of spirit, commitment and skill. We have a new halfback partnership that is starting to blend nicely in Marc Sneyd and Cade Cust. These are the games players want to be involved in to test themselves to the absolute limits.

The action gets under way at 8pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside.

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