Sunday's Coming
Hornets take the short trek to the Willows on Sunday - and if history is
anything to go by, we've got a major hoodoo to break.
In mitigation, we don't actually go to Salford very often. In 46 Post-war
visits to Salford, Hornets have come away victorious just 8 times - and we've
lost the last 7 times we've been there. Our most recent visit was 7 years
ago when we lost 36-16. Paul O'Keefe scored two tries that day - with one
coming the other way from ex-Hornets Cliff Eccles.
Hornets' last win at the Willows will test the sternest of memories. Think
back 24 years... January 1979 saw Hornets keep the Red Devils tryless in
a rare 13-4 win. Scorers that day include a brace for Ian Holland and one
for Steve McGiffen.
Our record in cup competitions at the Willows takes you even further back.
Our most recent 'trophy' victory there was in the 1973 Championship playoffs.
That came relatively hot on the heels of a Floodlit Trophy win (1971) and
a Lancashire Cup victory (1957).
With Salford seemingly struggling to establish a rhythm at the moment, there's
probably never a better time to get them. Having scraped a late draw
at Leigh last week, coach Karl Harrison was fairly forthright in his disappointment
and the common understanding seems to be that if you stop Gavin Clinch, you
stop Salford.
With Clinch partnered at Half back by Radney Bowker, the Reds have the potential
to do some real damage in the middle of the park.
Props Neil Baynes and Ex-Swinton wunderkinder Andy Coley provide the front
row graft, with tackling machine Malcolm Alker slotting in at hooker. Busy
ex-Hull KR loose forward Chris Charles packs down at 13.
In fact, the whole Salford line-up is full of players you're sure you've
seen somewhere before and it even includes Alan Hunte who should spend a
happy afternoon waving his zimmer frame at Casey Mayberry as he runs by -
assuming of course that he's recovered from the leg injury picked up in the
HKR game.
With last week's Polar respite, Hally should have pretty much a full squad
to pick from, but he'll be keen that they start to convert at least some
of their potential into action (and that Mick Nanyn will start to convert
full stop after his dreadful game with the boot in the Challenge Cup).
Sunday's game should provide a pretty good yardstick for how good you have
to be to make progress not only in the Arriva Cup, but in the League when
it eventually begins. Salford are probably everyone's runaway favourites
to win everything going this year. But they've had a quiet start with a
win over Swinton and a draw against Leigh - so you never know and you'd kick
yourself if you missed it.
And as a trip to the Willows is a fairly rare event, you really should treat
yourself to our second shortest trip of the season. Your support away from
home has a real effect in helping raise our players' game and if we are to
register a rare win on Sunday, you too have a part to play.
So let's make the effort - get down to Salford for what promises to be a
cracking game.
We'll be behind the dugouts - see you there.
|
:
