Salford Red Devils were made to battle by Midlands Hurricanes to book a spot in the Betfred Challenge Cup fourth round.
Fresh from a successful week off the field, where a consortium, led by businessman Dario Berta, completed a full 100% purchase of the Club, Paul Rowley’s Reds got 2025 off to the perfect start on the pitch.
The opening exchanges were set-for-set, with Kai Morgan – our stand-in nine – going closest with a quick scurry from dummy-half.
From that set, Midlands spilled Jayden Nikorima’s high bomb and afforded us a prime opportunity to strike. Quick hands from the scrum gave Esan Marsters the chance to slip in Nene Macdonald for his first of 2025.
Going down the other end, the hosts struck straight back via Aiden Roden, who rode several Salford challenges to slide over in the right corner.
It was a try that handed Midlands momentum and they almost took the lead when Matty Handley latched onto Jake Sweeting’s short grubber. His finish was quick, but it was adjudged to be bounced and handed Salford a reprieve.
We took advantage with our next set, making big metres downfield before centre, Chris Hankinson spun out of his tackle to ground.
The Hurricanes certainly weren’t going to go down fighting and some quick hands on the left edge sent Matty Chrimes, with an unsuccessful conversion the only thing keeping Salford in a narrow lead – one we took into the half-time interval.
After a error-filled opening five minutes to the second period, Atkin sprung the game into life with a break down the middle. The halfback had Macdonald in support to slip him down the left and into the corner.
Midlands tried to pick themselves up and actually gained good territory with their next set, but a last play kick bobbled loose and into the arms of Nikorima, who ran the length to extend Salford’s lead.
The Reds started to motor towards fourth round and Deon Cross – our joint-top scorer of 2024 – opened his account after a neat scrum play, striding over on the left.
Esan Marsters, our star off-season addition from the Huddersfield Giants, was impressive again at centre and got himself off the mark when he supported a Hankinson break up the middle.
With the hosts tiring, Salford were getting more joy with ball in hand. Some slick hands going left sent Cross away into the corner, but the winger still did well to acrobatically dot down under pressure.
Maybe the best of the bunch came last, with Nikorima finding space to produce a lovely step inside before sliding under the sticks.
It was a much-improved second-half from the Reds, who will look to take some of that flair into the new season.
Attention now turns to next Saturday, where St Helens present the first task of our 2025 Super League adventures. It’s also a game where we’ll learn our Challenge Cup fourth round opponents, with the draw set to take place at half-time.
MATCH FACTS:
Salford XIII: Ryan Brierley, Deon Cross, Esan Marsters, Nene Macdonald, Chris Hankinson, Jayden Nikorima, Chris Atkin, Brad Singleton, Kai Morgan, Jack Ormondroyd, Shane Wright, Tiaki Chane, Joe Shorrocks.
Interchanges: Matty Foster, Justin Sangaré, Joe Bullock, Nathan Connell.
Tries: Nene Macdonald (2), Chris Hankinson, Jayden Nikorima (2), Deon Cross (2), Esan Marsters.
Conversions: Chris Hankinson (7/9)
Midlands XIII: Todd Horner, Matty Hanley, Ross Oakes, Ryan Johnson, Matty Chrimes, Jake Sweeting, Callum McLelland, Jon-Luke Kirby, Aiden Roden, Elliot Morris, Tom Wilkinson, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Mikey Wood.
Interchanges: Daniel Barcoe, Aaron Willis, Zeus Silk, Marcus Green.
Tries: Aiden Roden, Matty Chrimes
Conversions: Jake Sweeting (1/2)
HT: 10-12
FT: 10-46
