Salford got back to winning ways with a convincing win 36-20 against Huddersfield. Read all about it here as Paul Whiteside takes you through the action.
Salford returned to league action at the AJ Bell Stadium with the visit of in form and ever improving Huddersfield. The Giants had won four and drawn one of there last six games running up some big scores. The visitors boast a good record at Salford since we left the willows having won four out of there six visits. A win for the Red Devil's would see us back second in the table and after three league defeats on the trot Ian Watson and the team knew this game was vital.
It wasn't the best start for Salford with Gareth O Briens kick off going out on the full. Shortly after Ben Murdoch Masila and Logan Tomkins picked up head injuries leaving the field for assessments. Leroy Cudjoe got the opening score for the visitors on the back of a mistake a few plays earlier from O Brien. Danny Brough added the goal 0-6.
Kris Brining then left the field with a nasty cut to the head, Ian Watson had to shuffle things around best he could. Michael Dobson was back in the halves with Robert Lui and it was luis teasing kick that forced a drop out. Superb ball movement and quick hands saw Junior Sau score his 8th try of the season. Dobson's kick levelled the scores 6-6.
Five minutes later Lui weaved his magic yet again stepping his way to the line showing great strength to touch down. Dobson's kick again was good 12-6.
On the very next set things got even better for Salford with a try right out of the top drawer. Good work from the hard working Josh Jones followed by a swashbuckling run from Masila. The big man sets Greg Johnson away who then sends a peach of a pass to Kris Welham who races under the posts for one of the tries of the year! Dobson tags the two points on 18-6.
The Giants hit back with an excellent 40/20 kick from Brough and on the next play they have the numbers for Aaron Murphy to touch down in the corner. Brough missing the kick 18-10.
Two minutes before half time Salford opt to kick for goal from a penalty well within Dobson's range, but it drifts wide.
18-10 half time.
Salford start the second half with real purpose blitzing the Giants with four tries in 11 minutes. Gareth O Brien showing a touch of class to ghost over Dobson kick missing. On the next set Junior Sau powered over for his second this time Dobson's kick hit the very top of the post which is probably quite hard to do and very rare. Greg Johnson then strolled in from a Murdoch Masila pass before Big Ben himself crashed over on the back over another Dobson 40-20 his second of the match. Dobson's goal kicking being a bit patchy this afternoon.
Salford were now turning on the style though having opened up a 36-10 lead. The Giants didn't throw the towel scoring two tries themselves in the final 14 minutes from kruise leeming and Darnell McIntosh. This how ever was Salford's day a real solid display and the victory takes them to second in the super league table.
Assistant coach Willie Poaching was delighted after the match with the spirit and hard work of the side. Logan Tomkins and Mark Flanagan picked up injuries and will be assessed tomorrow. It's all about recovery now for the Red Devil's with a huge game against third placed Leeds at the AJ bell stadium next Sunday. The games and coming thick and fast but this group of players that Salford RLFC have are thriving on it. How far can these lads go who knows?? It's going to be a very exciting ride to find out!
Pictures by Steve McCormick