The Reds started 2025 with an emphatic away performance against St Helens, in Morgan Knowles’ testimonial.
Paul Rowley will certainly be encouraged by his sides’ attacking display, with some slick play, particularly from our outside backs, causing most of the damage.
Our Head Coach fielded two of our new additions, Esan Marsters and Chris Hill, from the start and handed Justin Sangaré his first run-out for the club from the bench.
Salford’s intent to play free-flowing, attacking rugby was evident from our very first set, with Deon Cross set free down the left flank to charge downfield. It was a move which came to nothing, but was certainly a trend of the 80 minutes to come.
Tristan Sailor, Saints’ new addition in the halves, had his first chance to test the Salford line and was denied by a crucial Joe Shorrocks ankle tap.
An error from the hosts’ next set allowed Salford to gain field position and we made it count with a clever last play by Marc Sneyd.
His short-side grubber bounced into the hands of Shane Wright, who cut back inside to send the supporting Ryan Brierley diving over.
After Sneyd added the extras, Saints looked to respond with a short-side play of their own. Sailor finding Kyle Feldt with a looping pass, but Cross was quick on the cover to make the tackle, and force the error.
A combination of Sneyd’s intelligence with the boot and some powerful running from our forward pack allowed us some periods of sustained pressure on the Saints line, and a real chance to test our attacking nous.
That proved fruitful twice in the space of five minutes just before half-time. A slick passing sequence on the left edge sent Deon Cross bundling over, before Kai Morgan – on at nine – darted his way from dummy-half to score his first for the Club.
There was no let-off from the Red Devils after the break, with Chris Hankinson on the scoresheet from another neat Salford move.
Sneyd sent Marsters through a gap and he timed his pass perfectly to give his right edge partner the easy task of dotting down.
Our play on edges was causing Saints all kind of problems, but we also showed the ability to strike from deep. Brierley was often the architect, and he scored his second with a mazy run down the left flank.
Tries from Harry Robertson and James Bell in quick succession threatened a late fightback from the ten-time Super League champions, but Salford were soon back on the board.
This time it was Sneyd back to his mischievous best running across the defensive line, spotting a gap and putting it on a plate for Morgan to bag his second.
The cherry on top followed not long after, with Chris Atkin producing a sensational tip from another classy scrum play to allow Hankinson the opportunity to grab a brace of his own.
With a fortnight between our next encounter against either Midlands Hurricanes or Siddal ARLFC in the Challenge Cup, it allows the team to rest-up and sharpen their tools ahead of what promises to be another exciting season.
MATCH FACTS:
Salford XIII: Ryan Brierley, Deon Cross, Esan Marsters, Tim Lafai, Chris Hankinson, Jayden Nikorima, Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton, Joe Mellor, Chris Hill, Shane Wright, Kallum Watkins (C), Joe Shorrocks.
Interchanges: Chris Atkin, Joe Bullock, Nathan Connell, Matty Foster, Charlie Glover, Nene Macdonald, Ben Hellewell, Kai Morgan, Jack Ormondroyd, Justin Sangare.
Tries: Ryan Brierley (2), Deon Cross, Kai Morgan (2), Chris Hankinson (2).
Conversions: Marc Sneyd (6/7)
Saints XIII: Jon Bennison, Kyle Feldt, Harry Robertson, Konrad Hurrell, Lewis Murphy, Tristan Sailor, Jonny Lomax, George Delaney, Moses Mbye, Jake Wingfield, Matt Whitley, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles.
Interchanges: James Bell, Noah Stephens, Ben Davies, Jake Burns, Jonny Vaughan, Tee Ritson, George Whitby, Dayon Sambou, Owen Dagnall, Leon Cowen, Ciaran Nolan, Alfie Sinclair, Jake Davies, Cole Marsh.
Tries: Harry Robertson, James Bell.
Conversions: George Whitby (2/2)
HT: 0-18
FT: 12-40
