Salford 12 St Helens 50 Match Report
Two excellent tries, at the start and end of the second half proved to be the highlight of this weekend’s Reserves’ home fixture with St Helens, the first of which could well be regarded as the best of the afternoon, whilst the second, and final score of the afternoon, came straight off the training ground, where the participants have spent many enjoyable minutes practising and perfecting their roles, which they delivered in style and with aplomb.
True, the game as an encounter was quite one-sided, unsurprisingly so when comparison of the two sides shows the vast wealth of experience, in the Saints’ line-up including four with Super League experience, whilst having to measure up against them was the home side with as many as seven players who currently qualify for our Elite Academy, where the age limit is a mere eighteen.
Little wonder, then, that with the added losses of the likes of Nathan Connell and Sam Hill to the first team, those who turned out were facing an extreme uphill challenge.
Despite the number of tries that were conceded, there were also some excellent defensive feats, including two outstanding one-on-one hits on opponents by first Billy Glover, and later Charlie McCurry, backed up by a number of gallant, try-saving goal-line gang-tackles, often in the corners, from scrambling defence.
That they all put their bodies on the line throughout the whole eighty minutes, shirking nothing, and doing their level best to give three of the squad – Billy Glover, Ethan Fitzgerald, and John Hutchings, all of whom were playing their final game here before moving on to join various Championship clubs, ahead of next season – a fitting and resounding send-off, was added motivation for them all to give of their best.
One member of the team, who most undoubtedly did so, was stand-off, Rhyley Hyde. This young man has already been the subject of some glowing reports on the back of extremely creditable performances, with both Reserves and Academy, having been required regularly to double-up week upon week.
He, most evidently, is an extremely talented player, who is much admired by his coach, Stuart Wilkinson, who says that talent such as his comes around only once in a five-year span.
On Saturday, it was he, who instigated both of Salford’s tries. The first came from a most astute and extremely well-timed pass.
From that point on, each of those involved thereafter, Glover and Rafael van Osselaer, added their own contribution of short carries followed by equally well-timed passes, which ended with left winger, Sam Littler crossing in the corner and then coming round towards the posts, for an absolutely classy try, right out of the top draw, to which Sean Murray added the conversion.
Three minutes from the end, the two half backs showed just how well their on-field relationship is developing, when Murray, with an air of total confidence, grounded Hyde’s in-goal short, diagonal kick, under the posts to which he was, again, able to add the extras.
Coach, Stuart Wilkinson, explained the context around the side, at this stage of the season, and his perspective of this game.
“We are very much in a period of transition at the moment, with, having already lost a number of last year’s players during the close season, now three more moving on, with our very best wishes for the future, and thanks for all their past contributions to the team, which is all very much a part of the development of this side, as is the promotion of some to the first team. It is, therefore, quite unsurprising that we are struggling with a certain amount of inconsistency, at present.
“Nevertheless, there were some really stand out performances from individuals, especially, second rower, Lucas Coan. He really was quite outstanding, and in my view the best player on the field.
“His attitude, commitment, endeavour, and attention to detail personifies the culture, which head coach, Paul Rowley, works to encapsulate within the club.
“It was also pleasing to note that in the build up to that most impressive first try, every player in the team, at some point, touched the ball and made a contribution.”
SALFORD:
Rafael van Osselaer, Daniel Knott, Billy Glover, Adam Jones, Charlie Bailey, Rhyley Hyde, Sean Murray, John Hutchings, Finlay Walker, Logan Lagar, Lucas Coan, Charlie McCurrie, James Shields.
Interchanges:
Harrison Hope, Ben Holland, Sam Littler, Rory Greenhalgh.
