Star date: 27th May 2017

ALMOST 5,000 PEOPLE ATTEND SALFORD RUGBY TRIBUTE TO MANCHESTER

Almost 5,000 people, including fans from other rugby teams, watched Salford Red Devils crush Catalans Dragons 50-12 last night, in what was an emotional night of tributes to the Manchester bomb victims.

Before the game there was a minute's silence, after 22 minutes there was applause and, throughout, fans held 'I Love MCR' cards and waved a giant 'Salford and Manchester Together' flag, as Gareth Lyons reports...

Full report here...

'You can stick your f*cking ISIS up your arse...'

In some ways, tonight's event was much more important than a mere match of Rugby League. With events in Manchester casting a sombre shadow over the AJ Bell Stadium, normality was a least resumed as Salford easily defeated Catalans Dragons 50-12 in Super League to continue their excellent form this season.

Played against the backdrop of the deaths of 22 innocent people, who like the crowd tonight were attending an event, the feeling was simply 'there but for the grace of God go I'...

Buoyed by the magnanimous decision of Red Devils' owner, Marwan Koukash, to donate the gate proceeds from the game to Manchester relief fund, the crowd of just under 5,000 - including supporters from other clubs Hull KR, Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and St Helens - went home knowing that they had provided a fitting tribute, by raising money and not letting these people affect their day to day lives.*

The increased crowd may also act as a reminder to the club of the number of fans in the city, and perhaps, in future, a policy such as FC United's which allows supporters to pay a minimum amount for a season ticket, but more if they want, may be looked at. 

The Red Devils came into the game on the back of a mixed performance against Leigh Centurions, where they won but with coach Ian Watson unhappy with the defensive efforts. They were up against a Catalans Dragons team that parted company with their coach this week, that has lost the last five games and were ravaged by injury.

'Which Dragons would turn up?', was the question before the game - the ones who couldn't win a one horse race, or the team with silky skills run by ex-Red Devil Richie Myler. The answer was to that particular question was clear after three minutes.

Catalans enforcer Remi Casti was sin binned after a minor fracas, and when play resumed, Salford scored their first try with Gareth O'Brien going over. The game was effectively over a few minutes later when Josh Jones scored - with further tries coming in a one sided first half to Kris Welham, Nail Evalds and Ryan Lannon. With Michael Dobson kicking four out of five conversions, the Red Devils were in a lead of 28-0 as the hooter sounded.

To say the Dragons were awful would be an understatement. They were truly terrible in the first half, and with form like that the powers that be at Super League HQ could be worried about the flagship French team staying in the competition. Salford were good in the first half; composed, ruthless and clinical.

The second half continued as before, with Salford crossing the line with ease after only two minutes. Chris Brinning waltzed over, Robert Lui then scored a length of the field try after picking up a loose ball. To be fair to Catalans, he was chased all the way by Remi Casty whose valiant effort to stop him was in vain.

Olsi Krasniqi scored a try and Mark Flannagan wrapped up the Red Devils scoring after a sixty metre break from Ben Murdoch-Masila on the previous tackle. Catalans did trouble the score board with two well worked tries in the second half, but in truth they were never in the game Salford were head and shoulders the better team. Final score: Salford Red Devils 50 Catalans Dragons 12.

*Remembering the 22...

As the teams came out for the kick off to the game, there was an impeccably observed minute's silence, with many supporters holding up 'I Love MCR' cards and, after 22 minutes of play, the whole ground reverberated to a minute's applause for the people who lost their lives last Monday evening. 

At half time the PA played Don't Look Back in Anger by Oasis which resulted in an impromptu choral rendition by most people in the ground, with further chants during the game of 'Stand up for the 22', and 'You can stick your f*cking ISIS up your arse'. People's feelings were quite clear; they will not be defeated nor their way of life and freedom comprised.

At full time a giant flag which had offered support for the city of Manchester and had been visible in the stands throughout the game, was given to the players by the supporters for photos with the club's official photographer. This prompted club owner Marwan Koukash to enter the field of play with Salford Mayor Paul Dennett...

Koukash demanded the flag and his, and the political representatives', egotism for a photo opportunity turned, in my opinion, what was a dignified and respectful night, into a farce, as fans ran onto the pitch to join the photo.

This resulted in the PA asking for the ground to be cleared after an invasion triggered by the Marwan Koukash hubris...if only he had just tried to let his kind deeds before the game be his publicity.

Even so, the match was a credit to our city, the rugby league community and Salford Red Devils...

"It was important to put in a good performance to mark the occasion" said coach Ian Watson after the game "Important to show the best of Salford..."