Salford Red Devils v Saints

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As it Happened
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Young Saints beaten despite spirited performance

A young Saints side were beaten 26-14 by the Salford Red Devils at the AJ Bell Stadium on Friday evening…

Head Coach Kristian Woolf opted to rest a number of his regular starters and handed debuts to 18 year old full back Jon Bennison, winger Shay Martyn and back rower Sam Royle, whilst the likes of Ben Davies, Josh Simm, Aaron Smith and Jake Wingfield all got a chance to start.

But despite their inexperience, it was Saints who took a sixth minute lead. Regan Grace made a blistering break down the left, beating three men and he fed the ball inside to Lewis Dodd who passed to the supporting Bennison as the full back scored a try on his Saints debut. Fellow debutant Shay Martyn added the extras to make it 6-0.

Salford responded shortly after. Tui Lolohea sent a grubber kick down the Salford right, which Ken Sio won the race too to score for the hosts. Chris Atkin missed the conversion, 6-4 Saints led.

We extended our lead almost instantly though, as Grace’s grubber kick from the Saints left was chased down by the returning Jonny Lomax who touched down. Martyn once again added the extras to maker it 12-4.

A few minutes before the break Saints were awarded a penalty. Martyn once again kicked the goal to extend out lead to 14-4 as we approached the break.

There was still time for another Salford try before the break. Former Saint, Matty Costello going over in the corner. The try was awarded despite the Saints arguing that Costello had not got the ball down. Atkin added the extras, as Saints led 14-10 at the break in Greater Manchester.

Salford started the second half strongly. Andy Ackers made a break, he then found Ellis Robson who found Atkin to score. Atkin converted his own try to give Salford a 16-14 lead.

Saints defence was opened up again minutes later as Robson himself grabbed Salford’s fourth try of the game with a close range run. Krisnan Inu took over kicking duties but missed, 20-14 Saints trailed.

Shortly after that, Inu grabbed his second of the game. Inu added the extras to make it 26-14 to the Red Devils.

Despite Saints’ best efforts to get back into the game in the second half they were unable to break through the Red Devils defence, as the three early second half tries for the hosts saw them earn a 26-14 victory over a young Saints side on Friday evening.

But our youngsters can hold their heads up high after a spirited display. All focus will move now to the playoffs, as Saints have a week off before our semi-final clash at the Totally Wicked Stadium a week on Friday!

Salford Red Devils Team: Morgan Escare, Ken Sio, Matt Costello, Dan Sarginson, Rhys Williams, Tui Lolohea, Chris Atkin, Jack Ormondroyd, Andy Ackers, Josh Johnson, Ollie Roberts, Ellis Robson, Elijah Taylor.

Interchanges: Seb Ikahihifo, Greg Burke, Connor Aspey, Krisnan Inu.

Tries: Ken Sio (13, 54), Matty Costello (38), Chris Atkin (45), Ellis Robson (48)

Conversions: Chris Atkin (2 from 3), Krisnan Inu (1 from 2)

Saints Team: Jonathan Bennison, Shay Martyn, Josh Simm, Ben Davies, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Kyle Amor, Aaron Smith, Matty Lees, Joel Thompson, Sam Royle, Jake Wingfield.

Interchanges: Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Jack Welsby, Josh Eaves, Dan Norman.

Tries: Jonathan Bennison (6), Jonny Lomax (17)

Conversions: Shay Martyn (2 from 2)

Penalties: Shay Martyn (1 from 1)

HT: 10-14

FT: 26-14

Club Sat 18 Sep 21

Salford away tickets now on Sale

Saints Line up

5	Jonathan Bennison
32	Shay Martyn
21	Josh Simm
21	Ben Davies
5	Regan Grace
6	Jonny Lomax
7	Lewis Dodd
18	Kyle Amor
19	Aaron Smith
10	Matty Lees
11	Joel Thompson
22	Sam Royle
18	Jake Wingfield
15	Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
1	Jack Welsby
24	Josh Eaves
20	Dan Norman

Salford Red Devils Line up

1	Morgan Escare
2	Ken Sio
3	Matty Costello
4	Dan Sarginson
5	Rhys Williams
6	Tu'imoala Lolohea
7	Christopher Atkin
8	Jack Ormondroyd
9	Andrew Ackers
10	Joshua Johnson
11	Oliver Roberts
12	Ellis Robson
13	Elijah Taylor
14	Sebastine Ikahihifo
15	Greg Burke
16	Connor Davies-Aspey
17	Krisnan Inu

Last updated 17 Sep 21 21:33:58

80'

FT: 😈 Salford 26-14 Saints 😇

Despite a spirited performance, it’s defeat for our young Saints in Salford.

#COYS

77'

Simm tries to find Martyn with a quick offload on the far side, but the young winger can’t hold on. Three to go.

😈 Salford 26-14 Saints 😇

76'

Thompson is penalised for an incorrect play the ball. Four to go.

😈 Salford 26-14 Saints 😇

75'

Welsby nearly makes something happen as his grubber is chased down by Eaves, but it’s kicked dead. Another set to come…

😈 Salford 26-14 Saints 😇

72'

We are into the final 10 minutes. COYS!

😈 Salford 26-14 Saints 😇

67'

Royle makes way after a solid hours work on his debut, Lees is back on.

😈 Salford 26-14 Saints 😇

66'

Welsby is penalised for a ball steal and Dodd chats too much to referee Marcus Griffiths. Salford penalty…

😈 Salford 26-14 Saints 😇

65'

We win a penalty and kick for touch. A chance to hit back! COYS!

😈 Salford 26-14 Saints 😇

62'

Jack Welsby is on at loose forward as Wingfield makes way.

😈 Salford 26-14 Saints 😇

60'

Saints try and mix it up as Lomax finds Grace with a cut-out pass, but Regan’s foot finds touch and Salford have it back.

😈 Salford 26-14 Saints 😇

Keep turning up, boys!

54'

Goal

Krisnan Inu for Salford Red Devils

Inu adds the two from right in front to extend Salford’s lead.

😈 Salford 26-14 Saints 😇

54'

Try

Ken Sio for Salford Red Devils

Wingfield knocks on when trying to offload in the tackle and Williams breaks down the left. The ball is kicked back inside and Bennison can’t keep hold of it and Sio gets his second.

😈 Salford 24-14 Saints 😇

49'

The kick strikes the post. BIG Dan Norman is on for his second Saints appearance. Josh Eaves and LMS are also now on!

😈 Salford 20-14 Saints 😇

48'

Try

Ellis Robson for Salford Red Devils

Salford score again as Robson runs straight through the Saints defence to go over.

😈 Salford 20-14 Saints 😇

46'

Goal

Christopher Atkin for Salford Red Devils

Atkin converts his own try.

😈 Salford 16-14 Saints 😇

45'

Try

Christopher Atkin for Salford Red Devils

Salford strike early in the second half as Atkin goes over.

😈 Salford 14-14 Saints 😇

41'

We are back underway in the second half here at the AJ Bell Stadium! COYS!

😈 Salford 10-14 Saints 😇

40'

HT: 😈 Salford 10-14 Saints 😇

We take a narrow lead into the break!

#COYS

39'

Goal

Christopher Atkin for Salford Red Devils

The kick from the touchline is successful.

😈 Salford 10-14 Saints 😇

38'

Try

Matty Costello for Salford Red Devils

Former Saint, Matty Costello goes over in the corner. It looked as if he was held up as the Saints protest, but the try is given.

😈 Salford 8-14 Saints 😇

36'

Goal

Shay Martyn for Saints

Saints win the penalty and Martyn kicks the two to extend our lead. Three from three for our young kicker!

😈 Salford 4-14 Saints 😇

36'

Great work from this young Saints side again as Simm, Smith and Martyn force the knock on!

😈 Salford 4-12 Saints 😇

35'

Thompson catches the Salford player late and the hosts push forward as we approach the break!

😈 Salford 4-12 Saints 😇

33'

LOMAX thinks he has another as Dodd’s grubber is chased down by our no.6 again, but the referee says the ball ran dead. Jonny doesn’t believe him…

😈 Salford 4-12 Saints 😇

Jonny touches down earlier!

30'

Saints are caught offside in our eagerness to defend and Salford will come again…

😈 Salford 4-12 Saints 😇

28'

Matty Lees catches the Salford man high and the hosts have a set in our half. Time to defend boys!

😈 Salford 4-12 Saints 😇

26'

LMS is on as Wingfield makes way.

😈 Salford 4-12 Saints 😇

24'

Simm and Martyn again do brilliantly to force the Salford winger into touch and save a certain try!

😈 Salford 4-12 Saints 😇

18'

Goal

Shay Martyn for Saints

Martyn adds the two to extend our lead.

😈 Salford 4-12 Saints 😇

17'

Try

Jonny Lomax for Saints

JONNYYYY! We hit straight back as Grace’s beautiful grubber kick from the left is chased down by the returning @lomax_1990 who touches down!

😈 Salford 4-10 Saints 😇

Bennison goes over on his debut!

15'

The kick drifts wide and we still lead.

😈 Salford 4-6 Saints 😇

14'

Try

Ken Sio for Salford Red Devils

Salford hit back as Sio goes over after a kick in behind Grace. Kick to come.

😈 Salford 4-6 Saints 😇

10'

We continue with the early pressure as Simm drives up this right side, before the play results in Lomax’s kick picked up by a Salford man. But Royle does well to then force the knock on…

😈 Salford 0-6 Saints 😇

Goal

Shay Martyn for Saints

Shay Marytn is on kicking duties for Saints tonight and he confidently kicks the two! The perfect start!

😈 Salford 0-6 Saints 😇

Try

Jonathan Bennison for Saints

WHAT A STORY! Grace makes a blistering break down the left, beating three men, he feeds inside to Dodd who passes inside to the supporting Bennison and full back for a debut try!

😈 Salford 0-4 Saints 😇

Brilliant defence from our right edge as Simm and young Shay Martyn trap the Salford man on the last and we have it back…

😈 Salford 0-0 Saints 😇

A confident start from Jon Bennison at full back who clutches Lolohea’s high kick as both sides exchange sets early here in Salford…

😈 Salford 0-0 Saints 😇

We are off and underway! COYS! 😇

😈 Salford 0-0 Saints 😇

COYS!

The boys are out for warm ups! Kick off is next!

Head over to our news section to read all about our young Saints, of which three of them make their debut tonight!

Head over to our social media channels to hear the Boss’ thoughts including words on tonight’s debutants and the return of Jonny Lomax!

The boys are in the house!

Go get em’ Sam!

Good luck lads!

Debuts incoming!

Here is your Saints team news! Jonny Lomax returns and there are three Saints debuts as Sam Royle, Jon Bennison and Shay Martyn all start their first Saints games!

We’ve arrived at the AJ Bell Stadium!

📍 Who is heading to Salford tonight? 🙋🏼‍♂️

With the playoffs in mind, this is our 20 man squad the boss has picked ahead of the game. Who do you want to see start the game?

Tonight’s game is NOT televised and the only way you can watch the game is with a match ticket. Head over to our news section on our website to find out all the information you need to know.

Hello and welcome to our live blog ahead of our final regular season game of the season as we face Salford at the AJ Bell Stadium. Kick off is 7:45pm.

Result