Devils boss eyes Swinton reunion
SALFORD boss Ian Watson is eyeing a potential match-up with former club Swinton Lions in the next round of the Challenge Cup after both sides recorded strong victories yesterday.
At the AJ Bell Stadium, the Red Devils ran out 29-22 winners against Toronto Wolfpack – inflicting a first competitive defeat on the newly-formed Canadian side – while Swinton picked up a shock win away to Super League strugglers Huddersfield Giants.
“Hopefully we can have a SalfordSwinton derby in the next round, that would be great,” said Watson after his side had overcome the Wolfpack.
“I spoke to somebody in the week and they told me Swinton were down quite a few numbers on the players they had available, so that’s a great result for them.”
In fully-professional Toronto, Salford knew to expect a challenge and found their task made much tougher mid-way through the first half when referee Jack Smith sent off winger Justin Carney, seemingly for dissent.
“I never underestimate his [Toronto coach Paul Rowley] teams,” revealed Watson. “I know him really well from playing with him and playing under him. He’s had a full week to look at this game, so he will have structured them really well to play against us.”
Oldham could not produce a repeat of last year’s cup heroics. They went down 30-4 away to Featherstone, Scott Turner scoring Roughyeds’ only points of the day.