As a diversion to the new coach threads, I'm almost at the end of my 'old video tape review'.

2003 Wire v Bradford at HJ 22-22
We were 18-6 ahead against a top notch opposition. Felt like a lost point rather than one won.

Three things stood out

1. The size and noise of the crowd
New stadium, positive vibes

2. The desire of the Wire side
Nat Wood, Mark Hilton, Gary Hulse, Dean Gaskell etc and yet another virtuoso performance by Lee Briers. His in-field kkcking resulted in about 7 Bradford drop outs! Yes 7!
Bradford with Peacock, Vangana, Hape, Deacon, Vinakola, Withers, Reardon, Parker, Swann etc
Some fine players on both sides.

3. The speed of the ptb.
Point 3 - the ptb's must be a couple of seconds slower these days partly because there can be more men in the tackle but also significant because you now get the 'stray' arm or 'stray leg' (deliberately) obstructing the attacker. (And this is what - in my opinion - Wigan are masters at, to the detriment of our sport. But if the refs don't penailize it so you can't blame Wigan for their expert gamesmanship).


1993 Salford v Wire at The Willows 22-24 I think! (Micron video)
Last gasp win with what looked like a try by Sanderson from what looked like forward pass in the build up when down to 12 men (Mackay sin-binned for back chat)

1. Pitch had more sand than grass

2. Game generally looser than todays - more mistakes, more broken tackles, including Tex Evans breaking 5 tackles at one point! But also more free flowing imo and some excellent long passing.

3. The speed of the ptb - a repeat of my above observation.

Wire side had Shelford, Rudd, Bateman, Mann, Sanderson, Chambers, Richards (on the wing! Shades of Akauola), a young Penny, Cullen
Salford coached by Tamati with Ian Blease (now Salford CEO) playing alongside Phil Ford, Marin Birkett, Forber

I remember that Bradford game. The place was rocking. We forget that we had some good times there in the early years under Cullen. I seem to recall didnt Bradford missed a conversion to win it at the end? Briers sitting in the stand after scoring a try. Richard Varkulis leaving Vinikolo for dead to score the the corner. Wasnt that also the game where Bradford fielded 14 players briefly by mistake too?

I think you're right on all accounts

It's a shame there isn't much on Youtube from around that time. I was thinking back to the last year at Wilderspool where we had some really good wins and also a few narrow losses to the big boys at the time. I think we lost by 2 points to both Wigan & Bradford at home. Also without checking the results i seem to remember losing to Saints 30-31 or something like that. Even though we lost they were great games because there was no expectation on us that year. I'd love to watch these games back or even just the highlights.

I had high hopes for Varkulis. Absolutely made a mug out of Vainakolo that game. His try to go back ahead with 7 minutes left in the corner was sensational.