After another turbulent week for everyone involved with Salford RLFC it was quite a relief when game day arrived. Once again their was no fluidity to the starting thirteen with big changes to players in key positions. Injuries played a key factor in this along with the sanctions imposed by the Rugby Football League. 

Kallum Watkins and Chris Atkin dropped out of the squad at the eleventh hour leading to more media speculation.

The weather was perfect for the time of year, blue skies and plenty of sunshine with a gentle breeze. 

Salford coach Paul Rowley gave a debut to Johnny Vaughan who started at centre after joining on loan from St.Helens for the rest of the season. Youngsters Josh Wagstaffe and Finlay Yates both started with James Shields and Scott Egan on the bench. Kai Morgan and Joe Shorrocks were in the halves with George Hill at loose forward having joined on loan from Castleford. 

The Red Devils kept it tight in the early stages by completing their sets and choosing not to kick on the last tackle, instead pinning Wigan down as close to their line as possible. 

Junior Nsemba burst down Salford’s right edge in the tenth minute to put the supporting Joe Wardle in for a try. The Warriors continued to pepper that same side of the pitch targeting Wagstaffe who looked confident in the early stages and dealt with the danger well.

As the first half reached the half way point Salford were competing well and when Tyler Dupree was sin binned for a shoulder on Nathan Connell the visitors sensed a chance to strike back. 

The Warrior’s clicked into gear with two tries down the right edge again. Sam Walters burst through to put Jai Field over then Nsemba broke to put Wardle in. Walters and Nsemba’s physical size proved to much for the Salford defence. Power and pace is a lethal combination and both players had plenty.

Nsemba continued to cause havoc and got a try of his own after half an hour. 22-0.

Salford’s best chance of the half came just before the break. A lovely step from Tiaki Chan created the break with Ryan Brierley racing away. The Red Devils fullback looked like he could get to the line himself but passed inside to Kai Morgan who was tackled by the cover defence.

The Warrior’s were definitely more polished in the second half. Spreading the ball wide at every opportunity. Their pace was far to much for the visitors. A poor attacking Salford kick was gobbled up by Jai Field and his pass to the left sent Liam Marshall scorching through to score. 

Back to back tries soon followed from Bevan French and Sam Walters but Salford’s spirt was never broken. Trailing 36-0, Brierley tried a short kick off and a huge roar from the away end told you the Devils had got possession back. 

Chris Hill had played big minutes in the first and Jack Ormondroyd was like a man possessed tackling everything that moved whilst running hard at every opportunity. Vaughn worked very hard in his first Salford performance showing an incredible bravery both in attack and defence. 

Zak Eckersley and Jai Field both scored before Wardle completed his hat trick in what was a very clinical second half performance. 

Salford never gave up in what has been unprecedented circumstances this season. The spirit and desire on show from Rowley’s side was certainly admirable. 

The Red Devils players were together as one at the final hooter in a huddle with the coaching staff. Paul Rowley was in the middle of it all before they showed their appreciation to the travelling supporters. It was quite humbling to watch and left you with a lump in your throat. You felt a sense of real pride through extreme adversity. Some may say that adversity is self caused. Well that might be true on the club and it’s owners but it’s certainly not been caused by the players and supporters. They are the innocent people in all this. Just before kick off in the first half the Oasis song ‘Stand By Me’ played through the speakers at the Brick Community stadium. The hairs on my neck stood up as that song kind of summed up life as a Salford player and supporter at this present time. 

Wigan 54 Salford 0

Paul Whiteside.