U19S RISE TO THE CHALLENGE
Halifax Elite 28 Salford Cat 3 Academy 14 Match Report – David Clegg
Facing one of their biggest challenges of the season, Salford U19s travelled to Halifax in full knowledge that they would have to be at their very best to be able to contain their older, and once again, more physically superior opponents, on their own ground.
In the event, they produced what coach, Danny Barton, assessed as their most improved performance of the season, for, even though they succumbed to the sheer power of certain individuals in the Halifax pack who crashed over from close in for three of the home side’s tries, the plucky young Red Devils refused to lie down, and kept coming back at their hosts, right through to the final whistle.
“We had known all along what a tough game his was going to be against their physical pack, but they met the challenge head on, and gave a hundred percent effort throughout the game,” Danny proudly asserts.
Indeed, when it came to attacking flair, it was the Salford lads who really impressed, and, besides the three tries which they succeeded in registering, there were a couple other occasions when the final pass failed to find its mark, and the chances were lost.
“Twice we made breaks and faced with a two on one, we missed out on scoring,” he ruefully reflects. “Nevertheless, it was the best we have played all season, because they took a number of things we have practised in training into the game, and, in using them, were able to open up the opposition’s defence on several occasions, and looked really good doing so.”
This certainly augers well for the team’s future, because it is still early days, and a good deal of the season still remains, not to mention the difference twelve months’ experience will have made by the start of next season.
“I’m expecting to see further progress by the other side of the Christmas break,” he insists, “particularly as we have a number of home games coming up in that period.”
An early 4-0 lead to the home side was erased and improved upon by scrum half, Keiron Prescott, who having taken the ball up to the line dummied and sprinted through the gap to give fullback, Connor Law, a kickable conversion to give Salford the lead, 4-6, for the one time in the game.
Two further tries by Halifax, however, appeared to have take them well out of reach, but just before half time, Will Mills brought the Red Devils back into contention with a try in the corner to bring about an 18-10 half-time scoreline.
Salford’s further score, in the second half, sandwiched between two others from the Yorkshiremen, came from clever play which led to Connor Law touching down in the corner.
Joe Lawlor, making his debut for the Red team at centre, made a profound impact for the good, on the side, with his incisive running, alongside Connor Aspey, Will Mills, Austin Downahm,and Sam Eyres, all of whom stood out in what was an overall fine team performance.
SALFORD:
Connor Law, Josh Stafford, Lewis Roberts, Joe Lawlor, Connor Aspey, Will Timmins, Austin Downham, Dan Goddard, Sam Bardsley, Will Mills, James McKenna, Sam Eyres
Replacements:
Colin Hughes, Lewis Zammit, Jack Fairbrother, Will Toone, Josh Bentley, Patrick Johnson, Ellis Snelgrove