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Dewsbury Rams 22 Salford City Reds 70

Tony Howard
17/ 7/2008

IN THE week when Salford’s immediate future is to be revealed, it was fitting that a long-serving stalwart passed a momentous milestone.

Centre Stuart Littler has seemingly been with the Reds forever, and in scoring his 100th try for the club in their emphatic win over Dewsbury, the Leigh lad was given a rare spot in the limelight as his club prepared for Tuesday’s Super League franchise decision.

Littler had a solid game as his side were cajoled by back-in-from Robbie Paul to pull off a slightly flattering final scoreline, which didn’t give the bottom of the table part-timers the credit they deserved.

Rams kept Salford within scoring distance for much of the game, but the class and superior fitness of the Reds told in the final quarter of the match.

Jordan Turner confirmed his hat-trick with less than 20 minutes remaining to dispel any fears of a post-Northern Rail Cup final hangover.

Paul got precedings underway with a powerful burst to set up Alker for the first score. Then the impressive John Wilshere kicked over and scored a try of his own before there were even 10 minutes on the clock.

When Turner scored his first, converted by Wilshere, it looked like the Reds were set to match their impressive scoring feat in the Blackpool final the previous week.

But the home side proved to be no timid sheep as they rammed their way back into the game. Andrew Bostock scored two tries to give his side a real hope.

Then Littler latched onto a pass on the wing to virtually walk over the line to give Salford the breathing space they needed. Wilshere’s conversion from the touchline added to his improving reputation as a kicker.

Soon into the second period Karl Fitzpatrick bombed a certain score and Dewsbury again applied pressure on the Reds’ lead with a goal from Liam Finn and a try through Chris Hall, but then the rout started and Salford put the Rams to the slaughter.

Richard Myler and Turner went over in quick succession and the game was effectively over as a contest as Wilshere goaled both.

Wilshere himself scored his second after Turner sealed his hat-trick and a comfortable victory was assured when Stefan Ratchford came off the bench to go over in the final minute.

Meanwhile, Littler left the field with a little bit of history on his side, and with D-Day looming for the Reds what greater reward for the loyal servant than to be playing his testimonial season in Super League?