As the two sides walked out to a very poignant song I must admit I felt a real lump in my throat. Although Embrace are a band from Halifax there song Ashes has really captured the feeling of Salford RLFC over the past few weeks. Listening to singer Danny McNamara’s warm and passionate tones as the song blasted out of the PA system I looked round at the many faces in the stand. Filled with relief, excitement and hope. The thought of losing our club left us with many sleepless nights in recent times but with a leadership group full of integrity and the best interests at heart the future remains unwritten for this historic club.

Oldham arrived as clear favourites. The Roughyeds have recruited very smartly over the last eighteen months to be one of the favourites to top the Championship in 2026.

Salford lined up with a very young side with new signing Brad Dwyer on the bench. Sam Hill, Fin Yates and Charlie Glover all started.

Oldham had former Salford players Jake Bibby, Matty Ashurst and Ryan Lannon in there starting thirteen. Ben Davies who spent time on loan at Salford started at centre and Harvey Makin another former loanee made the bench. Former Salford favourite Jack Ormondroyd also started on the bench.

The Roughyeds got off to the perfect start with a try on their first attack when O’Keefe went over. Chapelhow went over to increase the lead to 0-12 

Great work from Oliver Garmston forced a drop out as Salford rallied with enthusiasm.  The back rower got through a ton of work carting the ball up and tackling his heart out in a very promising performance. 

Matty Ashurst looked certain to score when he went galloping through the middle. A wonderful chase back and cover tackle from eighteen year old winger Rafael Van Osselaer had the Salford supporter on their feet. 

Centres Noah Appleby and Joe Hartley got through plenty of defensive work on the edges. Oldham looked a very big side and the physical deference between the two sets of players did stand out. 

Oldham caught Salford cold with their third try. A looping pass out foxed the defence and Nisbet went over to score. 

Salford lost Charlie Glover to what looked like a wrist/arm injury which is a tough blow with such an inexperienced squad. 

Another enterprising attack almost brought Salford a try but Van Osselaer’s score was ruled for a forward pass in the build up.

Oldham led 0-16 at the break, the first half was held up for a good while due to a medical emergency in the stand.

Salford’s character was truly tested in the early stages of the second half. They scrambled superbly with some last ditch goal line defence. It was a try from deep that cut Oldham loose. A fantastic break from speedster Kieran Dixon set up the supporting halfback Riley Dean who raced over. A nice cut out pass sent Jake Bibby over 0-26.

Three tries in the final thirteen minutes gave the score line a fairly harsh look but Oldham throughly deserved the victory. The Roughyeds were well drilled and very professional. Farnworth and Geyer went over before Lannon wrapped the match up as the hooter sounded. 

Salford face a tricky looking Challenge Cup tie in London next Saturday as they face Hammersmith Hills Hoists with a 6pm kick off. 

Salford 0 Oldham 44.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.