Sunday's Coming
Sunday sees ex-Super League whipping boys Salford parachute into Spotland on the back of a 72-nil thumping of Swinton. Reports are that Salford cut the Lions' defence to shreds at regular intervals and scored four tries without Swinton touching the ball. Ominous - and eerily familiar.
Tackling machine Malcolm Alker reaped the plaudits with a big show on attack and defence.
A yardstick for how good we have to be to get close to this season's full-time pariahs is their 22-10 win over Leigh last weekend. The Centurions restricted the Reds to a four-nil half time lead, but tries from Andy Kirk, Cliff Beverley (2) and everyone's favourite Rugby League grand-dad Alan Hunte saw Salford home in one piece.
But already, Karl Harrison is lamenting the lack of intensity outside Stupid League - particularly following their week of 'shock and awe' that saw them ram a merciless 190 points through a struggling Gateshead. But I don't know if it's going to get a lot more competitive for the poor Reds. A very strong Leigh have been out-muscled twice already - and both Oldham and Hornets have seen what they ca
do if you give them half a yard's start.
But someone somewhere in the National League will spring a surprise somewhere along the line this season. Despite their full-time status in a part-time competition, bolstered by a not insignificant parachure payment, one team will play above itself and catch them on a bad day. I know this'll irk Salford fans, but they should try it from the other end of the telescope for a more realistic view.
Someone this season will give the Mighty Reds a kick in the pants - so why can't it be us? Swinton did it to us last week - so perhaps it could be our turn this week.
Whatever the outcome, it'll be a fierce local derby with all the passions that that brings. So don't let Salford flaunt their superiority complex over us - get to Spotland on Sunday and get behind Hornets with everything you've got.
If we do overcome the massive odds, you'll only be narked that you missed it. Gonna risk that? Thought not. See you there on Sunday.
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