After a disappointing performance away at Wigan, Salford returned to The AJ Bell Stadium for the visit of Huddersfield. The Giants were on a four game losing streak with their last victory coming against Hull at The Magic Weekend in May.
Ian Watson made changes with Greg Johnson making his first appearance of the season, Ken Sio returned on the wing with Derrell Olpherts missing out and Jake Bibby starting on the bench.
Tyrone McCarthy scored the games opening try showing terrific strength to reach out and touch down with three Huddersfield players in close proximity.
Giants hooker Adam O’Brien was injured trying to tackle Ben Nakubuwai. The play was stopped for several minutes while he received treatment on the pitch before being stretched off.
Tui Lolohea forced a drop out from a neat kick into the in goal area and from the next set Lolohea’s lovely looping pass put Ken Sio in to increase the lead.
Krisnan Inu had missed both conversion attempts but with Salford dominating possession and territory on the back of Huddersfield’s poor completion rate they looked comfortable at 8-0.
Giants prop Matty English some how managed to wrestle the ball down with referee Robert Hicks asking for the video referees assistance. The try was eventually awarded.
Five minutes later the Giants took an unlikely lead. Ken Sio spilled a high kick and with good ball movement on the next set young winger Innes Senior crossed to score.
Things got worse for The Red Devil’s at the start of the second half when Huddersfield fullback Darnell McIntosh bagged a try. Lee Gaskell fluffed a fairly routine conversion attempt 8-14.
Niall Evalds picked up a nasty eye injury but after getting patched up he returned after a concussion assessment.
Jackson Hastings again worked tirelessly for Salford and his hard work paid off when Kris Welham followed up a teasing kick to score. Inu again failed to convert leaving a narrow 12-14 deficit.
Jake Bibby came up with a try saving tackle to prevent Jermaine McGillvary scoring what looked a certain try.
The Giants were running stronger and their pack had worn Salford down. Kruise Leeming had been busy all night around the ruck, a constant thorn in Salford’s side. Leeming grabbed a try for his efforts before Ukuma Ta’ai put Huddersfield into a twelve point lead taking advantage of more poor defence.
The game was well and truly up for Salford when Jacob Wardle scored The Giants six try of the match to put them 12-30 up with a score line that embarrassed the home side.
Tyrone McCarthy with another hard working shift scored his second try for Salford in the final stages but the last word went to the visitors. The excellent McIntosh charged through the heart of Salford as the Giants carved up The Red Devil’s down the middle of the pitch to round off the scoring.
On a night were Salford could have moved up to fourth with a win, they instead sit just two points above Huddersfield with the rest of the weekends matches possibly shaking up the League Table once again.
Salford coach Ian Watson speaking after the match couldn’t hide his disappointment, “It was attitude and intent today that let us down and turned into an embarrassing performance for us. We’ve challenged our middles and today we were found wanting. We’ve got some big games coming up, we need to be knocking them off and making sure we are ready to compete in the playoffs not to be talking about relegation.”
Salford travel to Warrington next Friday.
Final score Salford 18 Huddersfield 36.
Paul Whiteside.
Pictures by Gareth Lyons
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