One thing you can be sure of in rugby league is that things are never dull when Salford Red Devils are around. This season has been as outrageous as many expected for the club owned by the enigmatic racehorse owner Marwan Koukash. The head coach Iestyn Harris was sacked midway through the year, the talented youngster Théo Fages resigned before that, and after suspending the key half-back Rangi Chase midway through the Qualifiers, the belief Salford could have been the most vulnerable Super League club to face the ignominy of relegation was a realistic prospect.
But despite their performances during the first 23 rounds, which ultimately saw them enter the Qualifiers, being largely disappointing, the way Salford have responded and secured a place back in the top flight next year has been rather serene for a club who usually do things the hard way.
One defeat at Bradford aside, the Red Devils have secured promotion with a round to spare with five wins from six – and of all those who deserve credit, the acting head coach Ian Watson is very much at the top of that list. He has taken to coaching like the proverbial duck to water, and should Salford opt to keep him in charge alongside the director of rugby Tim Sheens next year as is widely expected, it would be an appointment few would argue with.
“It’s massive to be back up with a game to spare,” Watson said afterwards. “We’ve learned from that sole slip-up at Bradford, and Widnes don’t lose many games here. We’ve beaten a top team and the lads have shown throughout this competition that they’re Super League players, without doubt.”
And while Salford have exceeded expectations in the Super 8s, Widnes have somewhat flattered to deceive. Their captain, Kevin Brown, said before the Qualifiers began that he believed they were the best side in the middle eight, yet with one game remaining, the Vikings are still not guaranteed a return to Super League in 2016.
However, heavy wins against Bradford and Wakefield mean it would take a mathematical miracle – namely losing to Leigh and experiencing a points difference swing of over 120 – for Widnes to be dragged into the million pound game which is almost certain to be competed by Bradford and Wakefield on 3 October.
“We’d have liked to got it sorted before now,” the Widnes coach Denis Betts said. “It’s disappointing for our supporters, and we came here a little too relaxed. Only one side ever really seemed to want it and we now need to finish on a high next week.”
Salford looked good value for the win from the moment Josh Griffin scored after two minutes, and although Patrick Ah Van’s try made it 6-4 soon after, they always seemed comfortable. The forward duo of Scott Taylor and Cory Paterson extended the lead to 18-4 at the break, and even the sin-binning of the hooker Liam Hood did not stunt Salford’s flow after the restart.
Junior Sa’u crashed over for their fourth try despite their numerical disadvantage, and from there on the game became more about cards than points. Widnes would score a consolation through Lloyd White but by that point, the referee James Child had brandished three more cards. Harrison Hansen was shown a yellow for leg twisting, before an almighty brawl saw the Widnes captain Kevin Brown and Salford’s Josh Griffin sent off.
Again, life is never dull with Koukash and Salford around as Super League will find out again in 2016.
Widnes Hanbury; Flynn, Dean, Runciman, Ah Van; Brown, Mellor; Dudson, White, Gerrard, Clarkson, Whitley, Cahill. Interchange Heremaia, Tickle, Manuokafoa, Craven.
Tries Ah Van, White. Goal Ah Van.
Sent off Brown (71)
Salford Red Devils Evalds; Jones-Bishop, Thornley, Sa’u, Griffin; Lee, Dobson; Taylor, Tomkins, Tasi, Hansen, Maitua, Krasniqi. Interchange Walne, Morley, Hood, Paterson.
Tries Griffin, Taylor, Paterson, Sa’u. Goals Dobson 4.
Sin-bin Hood (37), Hansen (58). Sent off Griffin (71)
Referee J Child. Attendance 5,285.
