Just prior to kick off it was a very nippy evening in Merseyside with a biting breeze. The pitch looked good and it was perfect conditions for Rugby League, especially the way these two teams like to play. St.Helens have started the season like a well oiled machine. Three wins and just eight points conceded in the opening rounds of the season makes them one of the benchmarks of 2024.

Salford arrived in good spirits after three good performances with two home victories over Castleford and Hull Kingston Rovers.

St.Helens are a club that ooze professionalism and very rarely seem to have a week link in there side.

Ryan Brierley came back into the Salford side at fullback with Chris Atkin on the bench, the rest of the side was exactly the same as last Saturday’s match.

The Red Devils made a bright start but it didn’t take long for the hosts to take control. Saints were strong and powerful going forward and when a risky Cade Cust pass to Brierley went down they took advantage. The ball went wide in the blink of an eye and Jack Welsby scored.

Salford were struggling to contain Saints who were offloading at will and when Alex Walmersley broke half back Lewis Dodd backed up to score a fine try to double the lead. Mark Percival missed both conversions, 8-0.

The Red Devils carried on working hard and eventually enjoyed some possession. Walmersley left the field injured after an incident that Salford felt slightly aggrieved about and so did the travelling support. This set the game alight and the intensity went up a couple of notches. The visitors moved the ball left and Deon Cross finished well in the corner. Sneyd booted off the touch line, 8-6.

At times Saints were toying with Salford on attack. It was offloads galore and when Percival hit a perfect line he raced in to score under the posts, this time converting to give the home side a 14-6 cushion.

Dodd continued to pepper Salford fullback Brierley with huge high kicks but he was safe as houses on every occasion taking them with such calmness and confidence.

At the start of the second half Cross broke from a lovely Kallum Watkins pass, the ball came back into the middle before Jack Ormondroyd knocked on. As the Salford prop lost possession he was clattered by Percival. The referee Tom Grant adjudged it to be contact with the head and showed him the red card.

Another huge play followed went Salford looked to go wide early. The touch judge waved for obstruction and from the resulting penalty Dodd scored his second try which put Saints 20-6 up with time ticking away.

Nene McDonald forced the ball down for a try that was awarded by the video referee which reduced the gap to eight points with ten minutes remaining.

Salford had commitment and desire in sack loads. They were prepared to go toe to toe with there illustrious hosts right to the final bell and that had to be admired.

After forcing a repeat set Chris Atkin received the ball down a blind alley with nothing on. He beat three defenders and found a gap to dart over for a super try. Atkin had replaced the injured Cade Cust in the first half who never came back on. Sneyd converted to leave Salford trailing by two at 20-18.

The Red Devils had also lost Brad Singleton to injury and were playing without a recognised prop. Joe Shorrocks was everywhere in an all action display of heroics and Ben Hellewell gave his heart and soul as he always does.

With five minutes remaining Salford hit the lead when Cross scored his second try from a perfect pass by Tim Lafai. Once again the ice cool Sneyd booted off the touch line 20-24.

The home side now had to gamble and roared on by their supporters they went charging up the pitch to try and snatch a dramatic win like they’ve done so many times before. Big Alex Walmersley came back on for Saints and he went hurtling towards the posts but the Salford cover defence forced the knock on and the travelling fans were ecstatic. The clock counted down and as the hooter sounded forty four years of hurt and disappointing matches disappeared into the clear night sky. The supporters celebrated a famous win and a win that was very much deserved. A never say die attitude and a work ethic that is absolutely priceless. Salford coach Paul Rowley has built something very special and his players are willing to do whatever it takes for him and that could take Salford a long way this season. Rowley was as humble as ever after the match and payed his respect to the great club that St.Helens are.

You should never stop believing though because if you work hard in sport and keep going to the bitter end eventually you might get that reward and when you do it feels special.

Salford are back in action next Thursday when they face Wigan at the Salford stadium but that’s for next week. For this weekend Salford supporters, players and staff should savour a famous win and a well deserved one at that.

St.Helens 20 Salford 24

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.