Challenge Cup Final Review #2: A game of inches

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Losing a major final hurts. That much was obvious from Kevin Brown's emotional post-match interview with the BBC. You could tell both in that interview and throughout the match as a whole how much a victory would have meant to Salford.

In some ways, the close nature of the defeat makes it worse. It makes you think, what if? What if Tom Briscoe hadn't lifted his foot to stay in play for his first try? What if Rhyse Martin's first conversion attempt had hit the post and missed? What if the ball bounced favourably for Niall Evalds following Krisnan Inu's break? What if Rhys Williams could have taken the pass from Kallum Watkins' break? What if Salford went for a drop goal in that final set?

Yesterday's Challenge Cup Final was as close as you can get without winning. The game followed a familiar pattern. Salford were dominated early on, but hung on. In the process, scoring a wonderful try from Rhys Williams. Yes, you would expect a winger to score with an open field in front of him, but the work of Watkins and Evalds (and Williams to stay tight to his wing) to find that space in the first place was marvelous.

When Salford hit the front with less than 20 minutes to go, the glory was within touching distance. Arguably, that was the problem. Against Catalans, they took the lead with the final play of the match. Against Warrington, with just 4 minutes to go. Both were the ultimate 'smash and grab' victory. Maybe they left Leeds with too much time to come back?

As the game drew level, it did start to favour Leeds. They, largely, had greater field position and a specialist drop-goal kicker in Luke Gale. Ironically, it was a Pauli Pauli error that gave Leeds the field position following an incorrect play the ball. A decision that could have gone either way. Although, it must be said I thought Liam Moore handled the game well in the main.

Perhaps what Salford lacked was composure. They did have one set and one last chance in the 78th minute to bring the game level. What they lacked was a specialist drop goal kicker. Luke Gale has kicked 28 drop goals in his career, the entire Salford 17 put together have kicked five.

When you look at that statistic, it isn't a surprise that Salford went for the hail mary play rather than the equaliser. If the positions were reversed, and Leeds were trailing by a point in the 78th minute, I have no doubt that Luke Gale would have at least attempted the drop goal. It is a gaping weakness that Salford have no players who were confident enough to try it. They felt more confident in going for the try. Ultimately, that separated the teams. 

What next for Salford? They reached the Grand Final in 2019 and the Challenge Cup Final in 2020. They have come so close to an elusive trophy. I suppose the first aim is to keep their squad together and keep Ian Watson as head coach. Salford should aim to be a club that people want to stay at rather than a springboard for their careers.

Only Niall Evalds and Gil Dudson are confirmed departures for 2021 (aside from Mark Flanagan's retirement), so that is an improvement on recent years. Evalds has already been replaced by Escare, an exciting talent on his day, although a player who has lacked game time in recent years. Very much an Ian Watson-type signing! But rumours persist about the futures of other key stars and a further rebuild cannot be ruled out.

The negative view for Salford is that you struggle to see that they will get a better shot at a trophy than yesterday in the years to come. The positive outlook is best summed up by this tweet:

And when that day comes that Salford do win it, then it will be an occasion to savour. 

Whilst your here, remember to check out our other review blog, Leeds Rhinos: Talkin 'Bout My Generation:

https://thetryline.blogspot.com/2020/10/challenge-cup-final-review-talkin-bout.html 

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