After a heavy defeat and one that you are very much humbled in the best thing is to get back out there and try to put things right. Salford were back on home soil which was a blessing but Champions Wigan were the opposition and this looked a very daunting task.
The Warriors quite rightly arrived as overwhelming favourites with a lot of people talking about record scores being broken.
Paul Rowley’s side left the pitch after the warm up and the noise the home supporters made was fit for heroes. The hairs stood up on the back of your neck at the energy created. Who’d of thought Salford had lost eight straight matches. The relationship this group of players has with the supporters is truly remarkable. They are connected in complete adversity.
Rowley was once again forced into making changes. Nene Macdonald missed out through illness so Nathan Connell moved to fullback. It was a proud day for young Sam Hill and his family as he made his debut on the wing. A product of Salford City Roosters it was great to see him in the side. After working tirelessly in recent weeks Toby Warren moved to the bench, Joe Bullock started at prop. Sam Stone moved to centre to cover Esan Marsters. Ryan Brierley partnered Marsters at half back.
Wigan had Jai Field at fullback with Jack Farrimond and Harry Smith in the halves. Bevan French was named on the bench.
The visitors enjoyed plenty of early possession with referee Tom Grant allowing a few six again but Salford coped well under pressure.
The first try came against the run of play. Marsters attacking kick wasn’t really up to much and Jai Field picked up clean to race away through the broken field.
Jacob Douglas scored a second try for Wigan after another lighting quick move created the overlap.
Nathan Connell who has really come of age this season tested Wigan with his elusive running style and Hill offloaded to Jonny Vaughan had Salford’s best chance of the first half.
Hill looked very accomplished on his debut taking everything in his stride. He was solid in defence and created a good understanding with his centre Vaughan.
The Warrior’s third try looked quite fortunate. Vaughan looked to be caught high but referee Grant wasn’t interested. Wigan looked to knock on in the build up as a kick went through. Field looked in front of the kicker from the West Stand view but the try was awarded without being referred to the video referee. 0-16 seemed harsh on Salford but you had to admire the pace in Wigan’s back line.
The Red Devils spirit was epitomised from the re-start when tremendous defence forced Junior Nsemba in touch. This thrilled the home supporters.
Wigan then pounced for a fourth try. Brierley’s loose attacking kick wasn’t really read by the Salford attack and when Douglas collected the outcome was inevitable. He raced away to score and give the visitors a 0-22 lead at the break. The score line flattered Wigan somewhat but the Salford faithful were very appreciative of their sides first half performance.
Jack Ormondroyd is at the fulcrum of everything at the moment. He charged towards the line with the home supporters holding their breath ready to explode. Jack just lost control of the ball with the line at his mercy.
Zack Eckersley and Adam Keighran notched tries to pull Wigan further away.
When you’re at the bottom your luck can be relentlessly poor and Salford’s was. A try was denied for a forward pass but the players never gave up. Neither did the supporters.
The visitors grabbed a seventh try before Ormondroyd received a standing ovation for another seventy one minute display of pure heart and graft.
Tiaki Chan, Harvey Wilson and Matty Foster all worked their socks off in the pack against a much bigger opposition. Charlie Glover came off the bench and showed some very good touches. His ball movement in particular was impressive.
Then can the moment we’d waited for. Joe Shorrocks broke through and you could see the determination in his eyes. He’d of run through a brick wall for you.
Shorrocks had support in Connell and the youngster dived over. The roof nearly came off with the noise. It was a heartwarming moment of pride. Paul Rowley calls them little wins but they mean so much to the players and supporters.
Speaking to Paul Rowley after the match he knows he’s got some rebuilding to do at Salford. He gave everyone a huge lift though by saying he will do anything. Rowley is a perfect fit for our club and although times are tough at the moment the spirit of players, staff and supporters will not be broken.
Salford RLFC Forever!!!
Salford 6 Wigan 46.
Paul Whiteside.
Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.