Opening night at the Leigh Sports Village was meant to be a special one for the Leigh Leopards, but it was Salford who stole the show as they ran out 20-10 victors.
Tries from Kallum Watkins, Andy Ackers and Man of the Match Ryan Brierley helped the Red Devils continue their fine form from the end of last season as Paul Rowley’s men overcame a vibrant atmosphere at the home of the newly named Leopards.
Making up part of that atmosphere was a superb away following from down the road in Salford and after the match the Sky commentary team were full of praise for the Red Devils support.
In their last competitive away game, an agonising playoff semi-final defeat to St Helens at the end of last season, Salford supporters travelled in great numbers and were praised by the likes of Brian Carney, and the Sky presenter was full of admiration for them again on Friday night.
“We have to make a note on Salford’s support,” he said. “We have spoken about it in recent seasons and proportionally they don’t have the biggest support in the competition, but they immobilise the troops to travel to away games, particularly big events, like maybe no other club.”
His comments were backed up by Sky colleague and pundit Phil Clarke who went one further by suggesting that they have the loudest fans in Super League.
“They make advantage of the supporter base they do have probably more than any other Super League side,” said Clarke.
He continued: “The other thing they do is they make more noise than any other side or set of fans than I can recall, per head anyway.
“They really have contributed to make this a wonderful start to the Super League competition.”
Salford are back in action on Thursday when they will look to make it two wins from two in their first home game of the season when they take on Hull KR at the AJ Bell Stadium.
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