St.Helens v Salford.

Well it’s certainly been a very busy few months if your a Salford supporter. The club has been the main story in the press for the last few months. Journalists have put their stories across including plenty of rumours and conundrums. Paul Rowley has kept his players protected as best as he can. The Salford boss always acts with complete class and integrity. Not many people expected Salford to win comfortably at St.Helens a few weeks ago in a pre-Season fixture. I don’t think you can read to much into that because those games are more like training games. Looking at Salford that day though they looked sharp, full of energy and very well organised. It’s always better to win matches than lose them in pre-season.

It was great to see youngsters Nathan Connell, Kai Morgan and Charlie Glover playing well.

New signing Chris Hill maybe 37 years old but he works his socks off and in that first half he put a real shift in. Esan Marsters looked accomplished in attack and defence with Ryan Brierley back to his best. Brierley had a few niggles last season but he looks fitter than ever which is a good sign. The athletic Chris Hankinson always goes under the radar but he is vital to this Salford side. 

St.Helens were busy in the close season on the recruitment front. Big names from Australia with big reputations have arrived in Tristan Sailor and Kyle Feldt. Lee Briers who started his professional career with Saints before going on to have a brilliant career down the road at Warrington has returned to join the coaching staff. Briers burst on the scene in 1997 at Knowsley road. He left to join Warrington where he spent 16 year playing over 400 matches. Briers is regarded as one of the most sought after young coaches in the game having worked well at Warrington, Wigan and Brisbane. Former Wigan and Widnes forward Eamonn O’Carroll has also joined the coaching staff. O’Carroll was head coach at Bradford Bulls in 2024 and prior to that coached Newcastle Thunder. 

Super League away record 

St.Helens 30

Draws 0

Salford 1

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

2024 St.Helens 20 Salford 24

2024 St.Helens 17 Salford 16

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.

Frank Wilson, Steve Rule, 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.

Saints Edge Past Brave Salford!

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 there 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.

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.

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.

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. For Salford and their supporters it’s still a bit raw but the team, club and fans have been sensational this season. The entertainment they produced has lit up the sport. It was a brave effort and losing Andy Ackers early on was a huge blow. Youngster Amir Bourouh worked his socks off and he’s got an exciting future in front of him at Salford. St.Helens are a champion side and they showed plenty of quality today. They had a game plan for Salford and they did their best to nullify the threat of the Red Devils. This was a close game and could of gone either way in the second half.

The teams that day,

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

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

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

Subs, Luckley, Bourouh, Gerrard, Dupree.

Referee, Chris Kendall 

Attendance, 12,357.

Saturday’s match.

I know it was only a pre-season game but I must admit I was very impressed with the Salford performance in victory. 

As I walked out of the ground my dad said it will be a lot tougher in three weeks time and that was an understatement. I am expecting a very fast pace and extreme intensity. Jack Welsby will also add that bit of snarling aggression too. He has a confidence and a swagger about him that I like in a player. 

Salford need to defend well and be organised with mistakes at a minimum.

Saints coach Paul Wellens is under pressure like all coaches in charge of clubs with big expectations. I read a lot of comments after the pre-season game regarding Wellens ability as a coach and I thought it was absolutely ridiculous to pass judgement over a warm up game. I suppose that’s the world we live in.

By the standards St.Helens have set in the summer era since 1996 their is no doubt that 2024 was a disappointing season. To put some perspective on it last season was the second time Salford have finished above Saints since the 1979/80 season.

The bookmakers have made the hosts firm favourites with Salford having a very generous fourteen point start. Perhaps that was based on all the doom and gloom the media pushed Salford’s way in the close season. 

For the supporters this is an exciting way to kick the season off. An elite fixture against St.Helens with maximum exposure on both Sky and the BBC at prime time on Saturday tea time. For Paul Rowley and his side this is the perfect opportunity to show the sport of Rugby League that no matter what difficulties get thrown their way they will fight through them with pride and a steely determination.

This used to be a fixture where keeping the score down was a moral victory. Since Saints left Knowsley Road Salford have pushed them hard on a good number of occasions and in 2024 got that first win since January 1980. Can you imagine winning again the season after? Sport can be funny like that sometimes.

The action gets under way at 5:30pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside. 

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