Leeds v Salford match report
As far as season openers go they don’t come much tougher than a trip to Headingley. Expectations were high in this part of West Yorkshire. With big money signings and a hefty looking squad Leeds were being tipped by many to finish high up the table.
In contrast Paul Rowley’s Salford side had already been written off before a tackle has been made, that’s the way we like it though.
Rugby league can be very parochial at times and if you listened to everything the media said you’d never believe or have faith in anything.
Leeds coach Rohan Smith started with new signings Brodie Croft, Andy Ackers and Matt Frawley.
Salford had plenty of new faces in the seventeen. Chris Hankinson started on the wing with Nene McDonald his centre. Cade Cust started at six. Joe Shorrocks made the bench and it was also great to see Shane Wright back in the side after a horrendous injury layoff last year.
The pitch was in good condition, weather slightly breezy but fairly mild for mid-February.
Salford conceded a penalty from the first tackle they had to defend but the Rhinos failed to make touch. Leeds went for a blistering start but Salford’s stubborn defence kept them at bay.
The Red Devils took the lead in the eleventh minute with a penalty goal from Marc Sneyd 0-2.
Croft caught Ryan Brierley out with neat footwork. The Salford fullback got sin binned for his trouble with Rhyse Martin levelled the score 2-2.
The Rhinos then came up with a big mistake, a high kick is spilled and Salford on the next attack are over. Sneyd with a lovely low kick and Cust touches down. Sneyd goal 2-8.
Leeds went wide early and Ash Handley made a thrilling break. He showed McDonald the outside and skinned him superbly for a top try. Martin converted to level the score again at 8-8.
Another Leeds mistake from a deep Salford kick handed Salford another golden attacking opportunity. Oliver Partington powered over from close range to restore the visitors lead and it was nothing more than they deserved.
Sneyd’s kicking game had been superb and he caught the Rhinos napping with a speculative kick which Deon Cross just couldn’t gather. Salford went in at half time leading 8-14.
The Rhinos started the second half with an avalanche of pressure and possession. It took nine minutes to crack the Salford defence. Handley squeezed in at the corner with Martin’s touch line conversion one again levelling the score. 14-14.
Penalties began to mount up against Salford and this starved them of possession and territory.
Another contentious decision saw Paul Momirovski sin binned for a challenge on Chris Atkin. Sneyd kicked Salford back in front, Atkin left the field for a head assessment
With twenty minutes remaining the game was on a knife edge.
Salford are battered by penalties before Amir Bourouh is sin binned. Martin penalty goal 16-16.
With just over ten minutes remaining Leeds are over under the posts Sam Lisone crashes over to put the Rhinos in front for the first time in the match.
With four minutes remaining Salford get over but the video referee rules out the try.
It was certainly a very gutsy effort from the Red Devils who didn’t really deserve to lose. Both sides went toe to toe in what was a very exciting and competitive match.
Leeds 22 Salford 16
Paul Whiteside.
Pictures from Steve McCormick
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