Browse Sections

• Salford City Reds
• Local football
• Local cricket

New-look Reds show promise

2/ 1/2003

Colin Dixon Memorial Trophy: Halifax 28 Salford City Reds 12

NEW-LOOK Salford City Reds made an encouraging start to their pre-season plans despite defeat at a gloomy Shay.

Marshalled superbly by Malcolm Alker and former Fax hero Gavin Clinch, the Reds were level at 12-12 before a stream of substitutions took their toll and the home side ran in three late tries to seal the game.

And despite the atrocious conditions in Yorkshire, there was plenty to cheer about for Salford, with Clinch, Jason Flowers, Cliff Beverley, Neil Lowe, Simon Baldwin and Radney Bowker all making their bow in a red shirt.

David Highton and Andy Coley looked solid in the pack and Kiwi Beverley put in an impressive display in the centre. This all bodes well for the regular campaign, which kicks off against local rivals Swinton Lions on January 19.

The game itself often reflected the weather, but things started to brighten up when Beverley broke through the Halifax defence to slip the ball to Clinch, who fed Alker for a simple try beneath the posts. Blakeley converted, but this seemed to stir Fax into action and they were rewarded for some excellent pressure rugby when Martin Moana went over after Sean Penkywicz was held up over the line.

Liam Finn converted and then turned creator when he fed speedy full-back Danny Halliwell for another converted try.

Salford got back into the game with five minutes left in the half when Blakeley played a great dummy 20mtrs out to send Coley crashing over.

The second half was another war of attrition with neither side creating any clear breaks for the first 15 minutes.

With conditions underfoot quickly deteriorating and the Fax tackles coming hard and fast, Karl Harrison switched a number of First Teamers to give promising youngsters such as Gary O'Regan, Karl Fitzpatrick and Andy Gorski a chance.

Fax took advantage with late tries from Penkywicz, James Chapman and Paul Parker. But Harrison will head into Sunday's friendly with Whitehaven full of confidence, with Neil Baynes also expected to make his return.