Owen’s joy at Reds deal

gareth owen . . . played in the 16-12 defeat of Wakefield.

RUGBY: GARETH Owen has agreed a full-time contract with Super League outfit Salford City Reds for 2011.

The 18-year-old grew up playing his rugby at Waterhead, starring in the crack under-16s class of 2007 which secured back-to-back North-West Counties League titles.

Owen made his third Super League appearance in Salford’s 16-12 home win over Wakefield at the weekend. Also in the side were fellow former Waterhead players Marc Sneyd — a highly promising young half-back, and prop forward Lee Jewitt.

Vinny Finnigan, the Oldham-born winger who has recently broken through to the first-team ranks at Super League side Bradford, has also been awarded a full-time contract for 2011.