March report Salford 14 Leeds 10

Salford are celebrating their 1st home win against Leeds Rhinos since 1993. Paul Whiteside talks you though the action at the AJ Bell.

It was a very nervous opening with both teams looking low on confidence. Salford started to build pressure with Michael Dobsons excellent kicking game pinning Leeds in there own half.

The Rhinos were starting to make mistakes. Salford however failed to capitalise knocking on early in the tackle count. After conceding some soft penalties Leeds are in the ascendancy with three sets of six on Salford's line. The Reds defence however is outstanding and we held the Rhinos out. After 23 minutes the deadlock is broken as Logan Tomkins seizes his chance and scooted over from dummy half. Gareth O Brien kicks the goal and Salford lead 6-0.

Salford started on the front foot and attacked again, Gaz O Brien huge bomb  bounced and Leeds are penalised for blocking Ben Murdoch Masila. Michael Dobson wisely kicks the penalty goal 8-0.
From the kick off Salford are penalised when in possession for moving off the mark. Very strange decision and seemed quite harsh.

The Reds defence again is like a red wall and there's no way through for the Rhinos. Salford's supporters hearts are in mouths as Justin Carney juggles the ball when collecting a kick,  He then went on a winding run bursting tackles and causing Leeds Rhinos lots of problems. Eventually he was brought down and after a very solid first half Salford lead 8-0 at half time.

The second half gets under way and a fantastic 40-20 kick from Robert Lui gets Salford on the front foot. The scrum packs down and Lui then weaves his magic dancing through the Leeds defence to score a wonderful try. Michael Dobson adds the goal and Salford lead 14-0.

Leeds were trying to produce a comeback throw everything at Salford, Kallum Watkins is held up over the line and a drop out is forced. Defence again is tremendous and Leeds fail to get on the score sheet.
Another booming kick from Michael Dobson causes panic at the back for Leeds Zak Hardacker and Ash Goulding make a real mess of it. Salford had the scrum and a try here would surely kill off the Rhinos. Leeds however force the mistake and the chance had gone.
With 7 minutes remain  Leeds finally get over the line with Keith Galloway. Zak Hardacker kicked the goal and it was 14-6. It's a nervy last 6 minutes for Salford as the Rhinos attacked on the next set and went over in the corner through Ash Goulding. Hardacker misses the kick 14-10.

The next set is a nervous one as Leeds come charging forward to try and pinch the game. The sigh of relief around the stadium is deafening as the rhinos knock on under brilliant Salford pressure. The clock counts down to a famous Salford win. A very tough 80 minutes where defence was the key and outstanding for most of the night.

Leeds Rhinos are struggling but still had some class players on show tonight. Robert Lui and Michael Dobson really bossed the game for Salford. It's been a long time coming and its got the Red Devils season back on track. The league takes a break next week for challenge cup action away at Hunslet.

Photos by Steve McCormack follow him on twitter @steve6394