Went along to The Willows last night for the Salford V Swinton game. I thought Swinton played some really good rugby with the ball in hand and for spells in the scond half they managed to starve Salford of the ball for about 10 mins.
Salford suffered with the constant fussing of the ref that stopped them playing any sort of rugby, Class did show through though and on a cold night they scored some nice tries.

Think you'll have a decent season and give the Willows a great send off also think the Lions might be worth a few quid to win their division

Swinton Played well last night and look to have a team to compete for honours in NL1.

We were 30-6 up at half time but Swinton enjoyed a bit more possession & territory in the second half to pull a couple of tries back , Barry Hamilton's one being the pick of their tries.

Mark Henry started at fullback

Luke Patten , Ashley Gibson, Daniel Holdsworth , Rob Parker, Ray Cashmere & Steven Wild weren't used .
Vinnie Anderson played for the 1st half but wasn't risked for the second
Phil Bailey remains the only new signing yet to debut having missed the game with flu.

Adam Sidlow got the sponsors man of the match award for a fine overall display

Adam Clay had another start on the right wing and his initial break and inside pass providing Matty Smith with Salford's opening try.

Jack holmes was given another run out off the bench after featuring in Salford first pre-season game at Leigh. He made an immediate impact linking well on a right side move and going over for his debut senior try.

Jack Spencer , Adam Neal , Toby Adamson, Gareth Owen & Ryan Boyle were also used off the bench .
Salford Tries :- Matty Smith (2), Adam Sidlow, Wayne Godwin, Adam Neal, Jack Holmes , Stephan Ratchford. Goals - Ratchford (5) , Smith (2)

Every season I think Swinton will do well and every year they seem to fall away. Maybe McCormack has found his level of coaching ?

Swinton have recruited well for the last three or four seasons but its just not happened on the field.McCormack is the first experienced coach weve had with a proven track record.I think you saw enough on friday night to suggest we might just deliver this time.Hope to see some of you at our games this season starting with Halifax in northen rail cup a week on friday.

how much is it to get in?
can you use a salford membership to get a discount?

C'mon you 'Fax

There's more chance of you delivering a full duty at work mate.

If they did a deal for season ticket holders of other clubs I'd come and watch Swinton a few times, Even if it meant the kids got in free or half price for local season ticket holders.
Salford top 6 this season

Steady on.

I was really impressed with Swinton , doing lots of the simple things really well and effectively. I hope there are some cheap deals on entry for the Swinton games I'm sure that will swell the crowds for their games. I know the banter is always there but I'd love Swinton to win their division !

I wouldn't can't stand them - never have never will (and am sure they feel the same about us mate !!)

Not really been around the rivalry that much as Salford have always been superior to swinton on the field for as long as I've followed Salford ! But that's just my opinion good luck to them

D'ya know I'm really disappointed with Friday if I'm honest, I've said it a few times but not on here. Why on earth did Shaun decide to rest those players who you would expect to be part of our 17 when we kick the season off? With the exception of Cashmere, Bailey & Wild who were all sidelined I would have fielded our strongest available team. This was the perfect match to work on and iron out any moves/pattens that we have been training towards and also to give the Holdswrth/Ratchford/Smith more time to get used to work with each other and see how Patten, Godwin and those 3 combine. No disrespect to Swinton but even if for only 40 minutes run with the majority of the first team and flex some muscle. We've played Leigh where we left players out/messed about a bit, then we put out a strong team for Wigan (baring Anderson & Bailey) which was always going to be tough to get enough time to work on moves etc. Now on Sunday were away at HKR which will be a very tough game so again no real chance to give a few things ago and then our next outing is in Cardiff. I think it was a very odd decision by McRae to leave out those players

Oh and well done to the Lions especially in the second half, I thought they played some terrific stuff and they'll be a real force in that league this season. That try was first class work very St Helens-esq.


[size=85Ouch that hurt![/size

I guess there's a balance to be struck between wanting to give players time on the field and wanting to avoid injuries in a pre-season friendly (remember Graham Holroyd?). Maybe the missing players were carrying a few minor bumps and bruises that wouldn't have kept them out of a competitive match, but weren't worth the risk on Friday.

and how would you know, shopping again on Friday night were we?

Our Coach knows best

Friendlies shmendlies.

Each time I go to a friendly, I think 'never again'. This time I'm sticking to it. It's not that they're not enjoyable, just that they're not the real thing. Like Cadbury's chocolate.

Agreed. It's his job to do what he believes is best for the club. Other clubs have been putting out weakened teams in friendlies too.