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Extra fine win

2/10/2008

Salford Reds 36
Celtic 18

WHAT an incredible end to an incredible season.

Sunday’s epic Grand Final win in Warrington completed a trio of trophy triumphs for Salford Reds. And, as usual, they did it the hard way.

The Reds seemed to be romping to victory when Mat Gardner hared towards the try line on 29 minutes with Salford already leading 10-0.

But Gardner, who had scored Salford’s second try of the game just minutes earlier, amazingly lost control of the ball as he touched it down and a nightmare substitute performance from young stand off Stefan Ratchford then opened the door for Celtic to come storming back.

The biggest of Ratchford’s errors saw David Tangata-Toa intercept his crazy pass to put Celtic 18-16 ahead on 67 minutes. And the Reds looked doomed when the video referee controversially ruled out what would have been a second try of the game for the impressive Karl Fitzpatrick.

But the even more impressive John Wilshere came to the rescue by coolly slotting over a 40-metre penalty in the dying seconds. And Salford went on to dominate the resulting 20 minutes of extra-time with another outstanding performer in Paul White completing a brace of tries.

Ian Sibbit scored the first try in extra-time before pulling off a heroic try saving tackle on Darren Mapp. And the lively Richard Myler put the icing on the cake with a long-range interception score.

Malc Alker, Robbie Paul, Stuart Littler, Craig Stapleton, Phil Leuluai and Luke Adamson also made heroic contributions.

But the classic encounter will be most remembered for Wilshere’s life-saving two-pointer.

Poor goal kicking was one of the biggest factors behind Salford’s relegation from Super League last year.

But Wilshere has well and truly solved the goal kicking problem this season and his six from seven record on Sunday was absolutely vital.

Celtic, who had won their previous five matches, actually scored one more try than the Reds in normal time. But their goal kickers had an off day and Salford successfully avenged their two recent defeats to the Crusaders.

As a result, the season ended with Salford having won three of the five meetings between the two clubs. And, for once, they got off to a good start against Celtic on Sunday.

There may not have been a place in Super League riding on the game with Salford and Celtic both having already achieved top flight promotion via the new licensing system. But the way that the Reds flew out of the blocks and the way that they celebrated at the final whistle showed just how much the National League One title meant to them.

And it clearly meant a lot to the people of Salford too with Reds fans comprehensively outnumbering their Celtic counterparts. Roll on Super League 2009!

Team: Fitzpatrick; Gardner, Littler, Wilshere, White; Paul, Myler; Highton, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Adamson, Turner. Subs: Ratchford, Bannister, Jewitt, Leuluai. Tries: White (2), Gardner, Fitzpatrick, Sibbit, Myler. Goals: Wilshere (6). Attendance: 7,104.