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Halifax 18 Salford City Reds 36

Dave Lawrenson
7/ 8/2008

SALFORD produced a thoroughly professional performance against their main title rivals to all but secure the league leaders’ shield.

The Reds have often suffered from stage fright in front of the television cameras this season. But there was no sign of that on Thursday night and, despite a spirited second half display from Halifax, there was only ever going to be one winner.

Salford got off to a blistering start – scoring two tries in the first seven minutes. And they added two more in the first half to open up a 24-10 lead at the interval.

Halifax managed to pull back a 24-0 half-time deficit when the two sides met in June and Salford were clearly mindful of their opponents’ ‘bouncebackability’ as they went for goal with every kickable penalty.

That led to goal kicker John Wilshere enjoying an individual tally of 20 points. He scored a first half try and was on target with eight out of his 10 attempts at goal to deny Halifax a losing bonus point as the Reds moved seven points clear at the top of the National League One table with just three games to play.

Wilshere, like Salford’s other first half try scorers Stuart Littler, Jordan Turner and Mat Gardner, finished off a slick passing move to the corner with aplomb.

And Stefan Ratchford bagged Salford’s fifth and final try after showing great pace in a 70-metre interception score.

The quality of the tries showed that the Reds, with hard working skipper Malc Alker continuing his recent hot streak of form, were right on their game in attack.

Despite the slippery conditions, the Reds made just six handling errors all game with, surprisingly, Kiwi star Robbie Paul being the only player you could accuse of having butterfingers on his return from a shoulder injury.

But Salford struggled in defence at times and they twice had lucky escapes with Halifax correctly having tries ruled out for ‘forward pass’ and ‘short of the whitewash’ decisions.

Black magic caused most of Salford’s problems with half back Ben Black reaping havoc with his glorious kicking skills. He set up three of Halifax’s four tries – the second of which saw Salford completely switch off after conceding a penalty with a simple Black pass from a quick-tap restart sending two-try Damien Gibson over.

But, that shocking lapse aside, Salford did their travelling supporters proud.

Every Salford player could walk away with their head held high after helping to make what looked to be a difficult game on paper a fairly comfortable night’s work.

True, Halifax, who had gone seven home games without defeat, were missing some key players through injury. But there is no getting away from the fact that they are going to have to up their game considerably if they want to beat Salford in the play-offs.

Team: Fitzpatrick; Gardner, Littler, Wilshere, White; Paul, Myler; Sidlow, Alker, Stapleton, Bannister, Adamson, Turner. Subs used: Highton, Ratchford, Leuluai, Sibbit. Tries: Littler, Turner, Wilshere, Gardner, Ratchford. Goals: Wilshere (8). Attendance: 2,571.