Yesterday, Salford played host to high flying Wakefield who were fourth in the league, so this was a real top of the table clash, with both teams being the surprise of the season. It was also a warm up for the quarter final of the Challenge Cup and Salford's search for the Holy Grail.
After a one minute silence for another terrorist atrocity, the game started as a real arm wrestle, Salford attacking at every chance but Wakefield went in front through old boy Mason Caton-Brown and, no matter how much pressure Salford threw at the Wakefield line, the Wildcats remained strong.
Another Salford attack resulted in an interception try for Wakefield, making the score 10-0 to Wakefield and worse was to happen for Salford as they went over again. 16-0 down, Salford needed something special, and right on half time Jake Bibby went over in the corner, brilliantly kicked by Dobson. Salford 6 Wakefield 16.
This game was turning into a belter and the first score of the second half would be so important. After ten minutes, Craig Kopcazk went over making the score Salford 12 Wakefield 16. Todd Carney was now pulling all the strings and, after a brilliant 40-20 kick, Salford went over again through Bibby, to make it Salford 18 Wakefield 16. This was turning into a classic by two very good teams at the tip of the table.
Next to score was Salford old boy Mason Caton-Brown in the corner, to make it Salford 18 Wakefield 22, with 15 minutes to go. The fans had been treated to a brilliant match and the game could have gone any way.
Lami Tasi went over for Salford with five minutes left, giving the Red Devils hope as they led 24-22...but with three minutes left, in-form Mason Caton-Brown scored his third. Right at the end Wakefield went over again to make the final score Salford Red Devils 24 Wakefield Trinity 34.
Salford's fine recent run had come to an end but this was a brilliant game – and respect to Mason Caton-Brown, who never celebrated his tries against his old club.
*** Earlier this week, Rare Ink, on Church Street in Eccles raised £7,638 for victims of the Manchester bomb attack just from adorning people with bee tattoos. The Sounds of Salford have now created a special Salford Reds bee which is also available at the store. Lots of local businesses helped out, including The Station Bar, which gave free drinks to those in the queue, Malaga Drift which gave a buy-one-get-one-free coffee offer to clients, while the owners of the Northern Type pub also donated to the fund.
"£7,638 is not bad when you consider there's only three of us and we charged half the price of most other studios" says Rav Norris of Rare Ink, who sorted all stock and wages out of her own pocket and gave up over 25 hours of her time. As well as Rav, Hayley Broughton and Alan Lacey also tattooed, and Tracie Cham and Mark Johnson made sure the events went smoothly.
Rare Ink has two more tattoo events in the pipeline – for details see the Rare Ink Facebook page
WIN FOUR TICKETS FOR THE NEXT WAKEFIELD TRINITY CLASH ON 14TH JUNE
The Salford Star has four tickets, plus a signed shirt and rugby ball, to give away for the Red Devils next clash with Wakefield in the Challenge Cup quarter final. Closing date: 7th June – see previous Salford Star article for full details – click here
Words by Simon Williams
Photos by Gareth Lyons - to see more of Gareth's match photos - click here
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