Solid Devils duo allow attack to take all the glory
VICTORY over London on Sunday afternoon made it two from two for Salford and put Ian Watson’s side top of the Betfred Super League table.
Of course, the standings are of little significance so early in the season, but the manner in which the result was achieved will be particularly pleasing.
In week one, an under-strength Huddersfield side were largely blown away by the Red Devils’ red-hot left-edge attack. It’s the side of the field that Jackson Hastings favours and comprises Ken Sio, Junior Sa’u and Josh Jones, all of whom possess the ability to punch holes in opposition defences as well as dazzling them with deft footwork.
That performance showcased just how much threat Salford have in attack and when the Broncos arrived at the AJ Bell Stadium for their first away trip since returning to Super League and on the back of a high-scoring comeback victory against Wakefield, you’d have been forgiven for expecting another clash packed with try-scoring exploits.
But London defended their line exceptionally well and while the Red Devils had the bulk of the possession, they were forced to work hard to break down their opposition.
Every time the ball was shifted left towards Sa’u and Sio, the Broncos numbered up and tracked the runners, the top-flight experience of ex-St Helens centre Ryan Morgan and Kieran Dixon perhaps showing through.
Indeed, it was a moment of magic from Jones that broke the deadlock, his overhead offload in the tackle finding Sio, who cut back against the grain, wrongfooted the Broncos defenders and touched down.
That was the only score of the first half and the next two Salford tries came from kicks that ricocheted off the post and a defender respectively, before Jones powered his way over in the dying seconds.
The final scoreline of 24-0 perhaps didn’t reflect the true nature of game, which was much more of an arm-wrestle than the clash with the Giants.
It showed a solidity to the Salford defence and while all the plaudits have gone to Hastings and Niall Evalds for their attacking prowess in the early stages of the season, it was Jones and Gil Dudson that laid the platform for this victory.
At a time when some clubs appear to be struggling to manage the reduction in available interchanges from 10 to eight per match, the Red Devils trained hard in pre-season to prepare for this eventuality and have forwards that are capable of producing long spells of quality.
Next up is another home fixture, this time against Leeds Rhinos.
They’ll have a point to prove after defeats to Warrington and Wigan in their first matches under new coach, David Furner, and looked threatening in attack against the Warriors, but Salford will have nothing to fear if they can marry their attack from round one with the defence from round two – and will not be keen not to relinquish top spot, even at this early stage.
■ OLDHAM Roughyeds have been handed a home tie in the third round of the Coral Challenge Cup.
The League 1 side will host North West Mens League side Haydock, who pulled off a shock 32-22 win over Normanton Knights in round two, and are the lowest ranked team left in the competition.
Rochdale Mayfield face a trip to Thatto Heath Crusaders, while Wigan St Pats travel to Whitehaven.