Leeds vs Salford
Super League
7:45pm Friday 6th September
Salford Red Devils notched their seventh win in a row and all-but confirmed their place in the semi-finals of Super League with a victory over Leeds Rhinos.
The Red Devils ended a losing series at Headingley thanks to efforts in Jake Bibby, Niall Evalds and also Joey Lussick. Four goals were enough assist an important result is notched by Salford and to hold off a fast-finishing Rhinos side.
The victory sees the Ian Watson’s side keep hold two points on the ladder with only 1 round of the regular Super League season left.
Rhinos’ England forwards Stevie Ward forced his return to action following more than six months on the sidelines with a knee injury, while conflicting half-backs Tui Lolohea and Robert Lui confronted their former teams to the very first time after placing clubs in a loan move in June.
Salford started with Logan Tomkins held up after 11 minutes over the try-line and, 10 minutes later, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock because of Evalds.
The full-back finished off a great break from the evasive Jackson Hastings to score. Inu converted the try to offer a 6-0 lead to Salford and, shortly after, the Red Devils were in again.
A quick change to abandoned found Bibby and the center stepped inside a meagre defence. Inu made no error to add the additional two points, taking the score.
Leeds hit back 3 minutes to half-back Richie Myler. Jack Walker is put by An excellent Liam Sutcliffe offload through a gap, and he found Myler in service to beat Evalds to cross. Rhyse Martin’s transformation was effective to make it 12-6.
Inu added a second penalty goal right before the rest to extend Salford’s lead to eight points.
At the second half the Rhinos lifted their intensity, but the Red Devils’ defence was up to this task. A run of penalties that are back-to-back had Leeds camped on the visitors’ try-line, however, Salford maintained turning back them with contact that is strong and tackles.
Eventually they cracked in the 54th minute. A grubber in Brad Dwyer caused havoc at the in-goal area, fooling the people’ defence, and Jamie Jones-Buchanan pounced. Martin’s conversion from right before clip it back.
Defence again came to the forefront since both teams were placed under enormous pressure. The Rhinos came several times that were close to snatching a winning effort, but Lussick burrowed around with seven minutes left to end Leeds’ fightback.
Salford’s travelling support faded along with there was a flare thrown stopping drama. Inu pinpointed a different conversion to place the seal on the win after it was cleaned up.
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