Salford v Leigh.

The last Rugby League matched I attended at Elland road was the third Ashes Test between Great Britain and Australia in November 1997. The Series was level at 1-1. The Kangaroos had one the first test comfortably at Wembley Stadium and GB had won the second in what was an epic game at Old Trafford.

It was a sell out for the decider and in the week building up to the match expectations were high that we could finally regain the Ashes for the first time since 1970. Sadly Australia were too good. They caught us cold in the early stages with a thrilling combination of power and pace. Despite a brave fight from Andy Goodway’s side the Kangaroos won it 20-37.

Since 1997 Elland Road the home of Leeds United has hosted matches for Leeds Rhinos in the World Club Challenge along with plenty of International fixtures.

Many people were surprised at the Magic Weekend being hosted in Leeds after many years of success in Newcastle. For me personally I think it should be moved around the Country and played in places where Rugby League is little known. I enjoy watching Salford play on the big stage though and when all is said and done this fixture is really just another away match. The two points are absolutely vital especially when you look at the League table. Salford have Leeds and Leigh behind them chasing the playoffs. Victory for The Red Devils on Sunday would open up a seven point gap over the Leopards with matches running out. 

It’s been a season of catch up in 2024 for Leigh who won two of their first seven matches. After beating Salford comprehensively at the Leigh Sports Village in May the Leopards have lost four from eleven and two of those defeats came away to Wigan. Adrian Lam’s side are a real threat with the ball and have scored more points than any team outside the top six and more than Salford and Catalans who are in the six.

The two sides met in Newcastle back in 2017 in what was an explosive encounter. Leigh’s Adam Higson was sent off for a high tackle and a brace of tries from Ben Murdoch-Masila and Greg Johnson steered Salford to victory. 

The weekend schedule looks like this,

Saturday,

Hull v London 2:30pm

Wigan v St.Helens 5pm

Warrington v Leeds 7:30pm

Sunday,

Salford v Leigh 1:30pm

Catalans v Hull Kingston Rovers 4pm

Huddersfield v Castleford 6:30pm

Magic weekend record 

Salford 5

Draws 0

Opposition 9

2007, Salford 18 Warrington 50 Murrayfield, Edinburgh

2009, Salford 16 Harlequins 24 Murrayfield, Edinburgh

2010, Salford 16 Warrington 68 Murrayfield, Edinburgh

2011, Salford 12 Celtic Crusaders 42 millennium stadium, Cardiff

2012, Salford 38 Huddersfield 34 Etihad Stadium, Manchester

2013, Salford 28 Widnes 22 Etihad Stadium, Manchester

2014, Salford 24 Widnes 30 Etihad Stadium, Manchester

2015, Salford 16 Widnes 38 St James’ Park, Newcastle

2016, Salford 18 Widnes 12 St James’ Park, Newcastle

2017, Salford 36 Leigh 22 St James’ Park, Newcastle

2018, Salford 12 Catalans Dragons 26 St James’Park, Newcastle

2019, Salford 20 Hull Kingston Rovers 22 Anfield, Liverpool.

2021, Salford 18 Castleford 29, St James’ Park, Newcastle.

2022, Salford 18 Huddersfield 30 St James’ Park, Newcastle.

2023, Salford 26 Hull Kingston Rovers 16, St James’ Park, Newcastle.

They played for both.

Luke Adamson, Kevin Ashcroft, Adam Clay, Simon Baldwin, Radney Bowker, David Bradbury, John Duffy, Jacob Emmitt, Matt Gardner, Matty Gee, Bobbie Goulding, Danny Halliwell, Harrison Hansen, Gareth Hock, Liam Hood, Peter Smethurst, Stuart Littler, Peter Alstead, Andrew Dixon, Nathan McAvoy, Dean McGilvary, Reni Maitua, Chris Morley, Stephen Nash, Rob Parker, Corey Paterson, John Pendlebury, Michael Platt, Gareth Price, Adam Sidlow, Craig Stapleton, Simon Svabic, John Taylor, Iain Thornley, Mike Wainwright, Krisnan Inu, Junior Sau, Ed Chamberlain, Ben Nakubuwai, Gareth O’Brien, Mark Moran, Ian Watson, Ryan Brierley and Mal Yates.

A match to remember Friday 14th April 2017.

Salford 12 Leigh 6.

Coming into this match Salford were in terrific form. Four wins on the spin including thumping wins away from home against Widnes and Hull plus a 13-12 victory in a pulsating clash with Castleford at the AJ Bell Stadium set the expectations high as Leigh arrived for this Good Friday fixture.

The Centurions had been promoted to the Super League at the end of the previous season and were making a good fist of their 2017 campaign.

This match was a real tense affair. Both sides played some attractive Rugby in a quick tempo first half.

Mitch Brown’s first-half try put Leigh in front but was cancelled out by Kris Welham’s score to make it 6-6 at half-time.

Gareth O’Brien sliced through after a long period of pressure to score a nice try and Michael Dobson added the conversion to put Salford ahead with quarter of an hour to play.

O’Brien’s drop goal attempt to seal it struck an upright, but Salford held on.

Leigh were on the back foot for much of the second half but stayed in contention up until the final hooter. A really enjoyable match finished 12-6.

The teams that day were;

Salford Red Devils: O’Brien; Johnson, Welham, Sa’u, J. Carney; Lui, Dobson; Tasi, Tomkins, Mossop, Jones, Murdoch-Masila, Flanagan.

Subs: Kopczak, Griffin, Wood, Walne.

Leigh Centurions: McNally; Higson, Crooks, Brown, Dawson; Reynolds, Ridyard; Acton, Higham, Tickle, Vea, Stewart, Hansen.

Subs: Pelissier, Weston, Hopkins, Burr.

Attendance, 5,834.

Referee, Jack Smith.

Sunday’s match.

Our last two matches have both had a playoff feel to them. Leeds at home and St.Helens away we’re absolutely thrilling contests that you couldn’t take your eyes off. Last Thursday at Saints must of taken its toll on the players. I spoke to Loghan Lewis after the match, he had stitches above both eyes, two black eyes and that hit he took off James Bell at the start of the second half caused him to throw up on the pitch. I often wonder what it’s like for the players the day after a match like that. It’s hard enough for us getting out of bed sometimes after a hard day at work when you feel sore. Rugby League players have always had my ultimate admiration and respect for what they put their bodies through and the risks they take week after week. Lewis has travelled from the other side of the world at such a young age and given his heart and soul to the club in every match he’s played. An absolute credit to his family and a player that the Salford supporters adore.

Every match Salford are involved in seems to go the distance and I think Sunday will be exactly the same. Leigh will be desperate for the two points now because chasing the playoffs will get harder and harder as the matches run out. 

Looking at the Table Salford could squeeze in to the top four. We are currently level with Catalans and Saints who are just above us on points difference. 

I was chatting to my dad this week about the season and he said it’s one of the most open he’s seen for years. Looking at that top six as it stands and the two sides chasing in Leeds and Leigh, anyone of those could get to the Grand Final. 

It will be interesting to see Paul Rowley’s squad announcement. The players looked battered and bruised walking to the bus after the match last Thursday. Losing a match like that in extra time though could really galvanise the team. Rowley and his players know what they are capable of and never lack belief going into a game. 

Tim Lafai is set to return after his one match suspension but Jack Ormondroyd will be sidelined for a few more weeks as he returns to full fitness. At the time of writing this Leigh winger Josh Charnley has been handed a one match ban but I’d expect that to be appealed by the club. The Leopards announced on Sunday that star half back Lachlan Lam will remain with the club for the 2025 season and he is definitely a player to watch out for. Second rower Kai O’Donnell scored four tries against Hull on Sunday and his attacking threat down the channels is one Salford need to look out for. Edwin Ipape is a fantastic runner of the ball around the ruck and broken player. The Papa New Guinean international now in his third season with the Leopards has been on the radar of plenty of rival clubs.

The bookmakers are expecting another tight match with Salford being involved. The Red Devils have a four point start which I found surprising with them being above Leigh in the table. 

The action gets under way at 1:30pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside. 

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