Match report Huddesfield v Salford magic weekend
On the journey up to the North East the temperature was heading towards twenty three degrees at 10am in the morning so by Kick off at 1pm the heat was always going to be tough.
The setting for this match was like a cup final. A glorious Stadium and the playing surface looked like a subbuteo mat brand new out of the box.
Salford coach Paul Rowley kept his starting thirteen unchanged from last week. The only difference was Elijah Taylor returned on the bench in place of Matty Costello.
Ian Watson had former Salford players Theo Fages, Luke Yates and Tui Lolohea in his starting side. Lance Todd Trophy winner Chris McQueen was in the second row.
Salford came in to the match on the back of to thrilling victories at both ends of the scale. The Giants may have lost at Castleford last Friday but overall they have won six from the last seven.
All the talk on the pitch before the match from the stadium announcer and the guests was about Ian Watson and the Huddersfield Giants. Once again Salford had flown under the radar but the stage was set for the Red Devils to show the Super League what they are all about.
The Giants got off to a flyer. Oliver Russell’s huge kick was taken cleanly by Toby King and he scored a fine try.
Huddersfield doubled their advantage when Owen Trout powered over through some pretty ordinary goal line defence. Fifteen minutes in and Salford were firmly on the back foot chasing the game and making mistakes.
The Red Devils were fairly limited with first half chances. One attack of real purpose looked promising but the Giants thwarted it with good cover defence.
Salford gifted a try to Chris McQueen but responded with a score of their own from hard working centre Deon Cross.
A minute before half time Rhys Williams who’s usually safe as houses knocks on in front of his own posts. The Giants plan a move and Jermaine McGillvary score in the corner. 24-6 half time.
Tyler Dupree had to be helped from the field early in the second half but Salford seemed to grit their teeth and muscle up to their opponents.
Andy Ackers shot out from dummy half and Brodie Croft did the rest with a super try waltzing round the Giants fullback.
Moments later Croft was at it again this time Geordie boy Sam Luckley was in support to score in front of the Gallowgate end and true to his word he does the Shearer celebration. What a place to score your first try for the club.
Salford continued to create half chances and from a penalty thirty yards out decided to run it. The Giants held out an eventually broke Salford down. Williams came in to defend out wide but it left space for McGillvary to score his second try.
The Red Devils gave everything in the second half but Huddersfield has enough to take the victory. In the stifling heat to limit a quality side like the Giants to just six points after the break was certainly a huge effort.
Salford are back in action next Sunday when they are at home to Catalans.
Huddersfield 30 Salford 18.
Paul Whiteside.
Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.
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