Salford are back to winning ways after a big win against Huddersfield Giants. Paul Whiteside with all the details.
With three games remaining in the super eights a resurgent Huddersfield Giants were the visitors to the AJ Bell stadium. Salford had won both of the regular season encounters. The Red Devil's form was poor with eight defeats on the spin, desperate to bounce back from last weeks home hammering to Wakefield. More player movement was announced in the week with Olsi Krasniqi leaving at the end of the season. The two sides had met on seven previous occasions at the AJ bell stadium, Salford with three wins and the Giants with four.
The Red Devil's opened the scoring three minutes in with Gareth O Brien kicking a penalty goal. Moments later on the back of a Giants mistake Kris Welham scored a try O Brien adding the goal 8-0.
Huddersfield winger Gene Ormsby came close but super defence kept the line intact!
Tyrone McCarthy grabbed a try from close range to extend the lead. Gaz O Brien added the goal 14-0 after 15 minutes. Niall Evalds looked odds on to score after a thrilling break. He was hauled down short by a brilliant cover tackle from Giants full back Jordan Rankin.
Salford were bossing the game, Rob Lui and Gaz O Brien seemed to be clicking at half back. Manu Vatuvei scored in the corner after super ball movement from the Red Devil's before Kris Welham grabbed his second try on the half hour mark. O Brien goaled the latter 24-0.
On the next set of six it was back to back tries, Ben Murdoch Masila combined with Robert Lui to send Niall Evalds racing to the line. The Giants didn't know what had hit them. Gaz O Brien added the goal 30-0!
Jermaine McGillvary scored in the corner right on half time for the visitors, Danny Brough hit the post with the conversation 30-4 half time!
Salford started the second half just as ruthless as the first, Manu Vatuvei crashing over in the corner. O Brien kicked superbly off the touch line 36-4. The ball movement from the Red Devil's was awesome at times, the confidence was starting to flow much to the delight of the home supporters.
Robert Lui put up a teasing high kick the Giants came up with the error. Again Salford strung the passes together before Jake Bibby scored a well deserved try. Gaz O Brien missed the kick 40-4.
Oliver Roberts scored for the Giants after some sloppy play, Brough added the goal 40-10. Gareth O Brien kicked a penalty goal on the hour to nudge Salford six scores clear at 42-10.
The Giants were completing at a low rate and another mistake deep in there own half handed Salford the opportunity. Lui broke through and Murdoch Masila rampaged over the line! O Brien failing to convert 46-10.
Jake Bibby then saved a certain try with an excellent cover tackle. The youngster was superb all afternoon going forward and solid in defence. Josh Jones burrowed over to bring the 50 points up. O Brien converted 52-10. The final points went the Giants way when hooker Ryan Hincliffe sliced through to dart over. Brough missed the goal.
Ian Watson was very pleased with how the changes to the team had paid off. Saluting his young players and the new half back combination. It's a win that's put smiles back on the players faces. Salford now face a tough trip to Leeds next Friday with only two wins there in the last 40 years. They can take confidence from today's effort and look to finish the season strongly.
Final score Salford 52 Huddersfield 14.
Pictures by Steve McCormick
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