This week’s Salford Red Devils were likely to be a very different proposition to the side which were heavily beaten by St Helens in the opening round as the salary cap restrictions were lifted allowing Paul Rowley to select a full-strength side to take on the Leeds Rhinos, both sides seeking their first win in the competition.
The home side were the favourites with the bookies to start to repair the terrible points difference which they suffered in the 82-0 drubbing last week, the Rhinos were keen to get back on the bike after their unexpected loss at home to newly promoted Wakefield Trinity last weekend.
It is very early in the season, but both coaches knew that the outcome of the game was crucial for both sides.
A Sneyd 40-20 within the first minute gave Salford an early advantage and on the third tackle, before Leeds had even touched the ball, Sneyd sent Kallum Warkins over to score in the perfect start for the home side. Sneyd added the conversion, Salford with a 6-0 lead on three minutes.
Jayden Nikorima shoulder charged Jake Connor off the ball on eleven to give the Rhinos a penalty inside the Red Devils twenty, but the defence held strong.
The Rhinos opened their Saturday afternoon account on eighteen after a poor short drop-out from Sneyd, Connor putting in a grubber kick to the corner which was chased and grounded by Riley Lumb. Connor was just wide with the conversion attempt, Leeds still two points adrift.
Leeds were in the front on twenty-four, Morgan Gannon using his strength to drag three Salford tacklers to the line and stretch to score. Connor found the target with the conversion for a 10-6 lead. Leeds had steadied the ship after a brilliant start for Salford.
The Rhinos third try was way too easy with fast hands to the left giving Lumb the smallest of overlaps to go past his marker off an Ash Handley pass to dot down by the left corner flag. Connor was again wide with the conversion attempt, the Rhinos eight points ahead with six minutes of the half remaining.
With three minutes until the interval there was a ten-minute delay while Brodie Croft was treated, and then stretchered off, after a high tackle five from the Salford line. Joe Shorrocks was shown a yellow card for his part in a high tackle with mitigation. Connor kicked the penalty goal to give the Rhinos a ten-point advantage at the interval.
Matt Frawley went close three minutes after the restart but working away from their line Salford grabbed another 40-20 from the boot of Sneyd. This time the Rhinos were able to deal with it and thwart the Red Devils attack.
A moment of brilliance from Handley extended the Rhinos lead on forty-nine, the Rhinos winger dribbling the ball forward and collecting to drop over the line after a Crossfield kick from Harry Newman. Connor hit the target for the third time in the game for 22-6, the Rhinos easing towards victory.
Salford were starting to panic as the game headed for its final quarter, very little was happening for them with the ball in hand.
A cheeky James Bentley intercept of a poor Shorrocks pass on the hour mark put the game beyond doubt as he ran home from fifty metres to score without a Salford defensive hand being laid on him. Connor missed from wide, on fifty percent accuracy on the afternoon.
Salford knocked-on close to their own line on seventy-one and two plays later Ryan Hall found an ocean of space wide right for a simple walk-in try off a Connor pass. Connor found he target from close to the right touchline for 32-6.
The game finished with the video referee looking for a possible penalty try as Ryan Hall was obstructed chasing a kick into goal. The video referee agreed with the referee, Leeds being given a penalty on the touchline which Connor failed to convert.
This was what Brad Arthur expected on the opening weekend of the season, but didn’t manifest itself as the Rhinos crashed to Wakefield, he will be much happier with this performance. The Rhinos move up to fifth in the fledgeling table, Saford firmly anchored at the bottom by their awful points difference. The worrying loss of Brodie Croft was the only blot on the Rhinos copybook on what was otherwise a great afternoon on the road.
Salford Red Devils: Brierley, MacDonald, Marsters, Lafai, Cross, Nikorima, Sneyd (G 1/1), Singleton, Atkin, Hill, Wright, Watkins (T), Shorrocks (SB on 37). Subs: Hankinson, Sangare, Foster, Ormondroyd. 18th Man: Chan.
Leeds Rhinos: Connor (G 4/8), Lumb (2T), Handley (T), Newman, Hall (T), Croft, Frawley, Palasia, Ackers, Jenkins, Bentley (T), McDonnell, Smith. Subs: Lisone, Holroyd, Gannon (T), O’Connor. 18th Man: Edgell (Used).
Half-Time: 6-16.
Full-Time: 6-32.
Score Progression: 4-0, 6-0, 6-4, 6-8, 6-10, 6-14, (SB), 6-16 : HT: 6-20, 6-22. 6-26, 6-30, 6-32 :FT.
Lead Exchanges: Salford - Leeds.
Referee: Liam Moore.
