For these two famous old clubs it was nice to see them walking out prior to kick off with both sets of supporters in full voice. Salford and Halifax have been through plenty of tough times off the field recently so hopefully now both clubs can build towards a brighter, stable future.
It was the first regular season league fixture since 2008. With Mike Grady leaving the club earlier in the week Dave Hewitt stepped up from assistant coach to interim Head coach. For the first time this season Salford’s seventeen didn’t feature any loan players which in itself is an achievement. The club is slowly building the jigsaw piece by piece.
Hewitt has a good eye on the amateur game and Keane Gilford who has just signed a permanent contract from Thatto Heath started on the wing.
Reece Stanton returned in the pack along with Fin Yates. Ollie Garmston moved into the centre with Matty Ross back at fullback. Jack Gatcliffe partnered Toby Hughes in the halves and Noah Appleby made the bench with his brother Cole.
Halifax started the experienced Ben Crooks at fullback, Vila Halafihi and Adam O’Brien were the halves.
Salford struck first after a nice move on the right edge. Garmston went over but Gatcliffe failed to convert. Halifax looked very slick with ball in hand and a super break would surely put them level. The winger raced away but Salford prop Jack Bibby tracked back superbly to pull off a terrific cover tackle. Bibby is another new signing who made an impressive debut at London last week. He looks fit, tough and ready to make a big impact. He’s definitely bolstered the pack along with the returning Sam Bowring.
Good play in the build up from Toby Hughes laid the platform for Brad Dwyer and he doesn’t need an invitation. Dwyer went over for a trade mark try to double the lead and with Gatcliffe’s conversion Salford led 10-0. A mistake on the next set deep in there own half invited Fax back into the game. Will Calcott a powerful prop went over from close range. Halifax were soon back on level terms. Another crisp passing move made the visitors very easy on the eye. Their pace on the edges was catching Salford out, Ben Tibbs got the try but the conversion fell well short, 10-10.
Matty Ross was being peppered at fullback with high testing kicks and despite being under waves of pressure Ross was calm and assured, never putting a foot wrong in a really impressive first half performance. Reece Stanton and Owen Haldenby got through tons of work and seemed to be involved in so many tackles. Salford fell for the sucker punch right on half time when Crooks went over. The hooter sounded as the conversion went over, 10-16 at the break.
The visitors seemed to have more gears to go through at the start of the second half and the question was could Salford stay with them. Fantastic support play had the hosts back peddling before Owen McCarron went over to increase the lead, 10-22.
Lovely soft hands from Bowring laid a try on a plate for loose forward Yates who scored right in front of a rapturous South stand. Once again Dwyer was involved.
Ross picked up a nasty looking injury and had to be helped from the field. This came at a real pivotal point of the match. Trailing by six points Garmston broke through in a similar fashion to his burst against Hunslet. The cover defence got across but Salford were in prime position to level the match. Dwyer’s pass went astray and this allowed Halifax to get off the ropes and move down the pitch with just ten minutes remaining. Substitute Leon Cowan restored the visitors twelve point advantage but Salford kept playing. Bibby went over for a deserved try three minutes from time but Halifax had a big enough cushion to hang on. A very exciting match finished 22-28. For Salford it was another game of huge improvements. Speaking to Dave Hewitt after the match he seemed really excited for the challenge ahead. In my opinion I think he’d be a solid appointment to give the club some continuity. Dave knows the local amateur game very well and is used to the tough environment at this level of Rugby League.
Matty Ross left on crutches which is a real shame and hopefully he makes a speedy recovery. With a lot of players at this level being in full time work getting injured impacts their lives a lot more than players in the top flight.
Salford face Swinton on Easter Sunday now in a very exciting derby fixture at Heywood road.
Salford 22 Halifax 28.
Paul Whiteside
Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.