Both sides came into this match desperate for the victory for very contrasting reasons. At kick off Huddersfield we’re just two points above bottom place London in the League table. On the other hand a win for Salford would take the Red Devil’s into the top five at what is now the business end of the season.
The first points of the match went Salford’s way courtesy of a Krisnan Inu penalty goal.
The home side continued to build pressure but to credit the Giants their goal line defence stood firm and was excellent at times.
Josh Jones took some stopping and was a constant threat to the visitors. His hot stepping and thrilling footwork wouldn’t have looked out of place on ‘Strictly Come Dancing ‘.
The hard working Logan Tomkins burrowed his way over to score from close range in the fourteenth minute. Inu’s conversion gave Salford an 8-0 cushion.
Both sides made errors and the first half turned rather scrappy. Jackson Hastings high kick was spilled by Giants fullback Lee Gaskell but Salford failed to capitalise knocking on themselves on the first tackle.
Darnell McIntosh scored in the corner as Huddersfield’s slick ball work had the Red Devils stretched.
Shortly after Derrell Olpherts scorched through with Tui Lolohea in support but the stand off couldn’t hold the pass as the chance went begging.
As the half time hooter sounded Inu calmly converted another penalty goal from around forty yards out, 10-6.
Impressive Giants stand off Oliver Russell got his side level with a try in the opening stages of the second half. Salford were cut to pieces by some wonderful attacking rugby. Russell converted superbly off the touch line to nudge Huddersfield ahead 10-12.
Kris Welham was denied a try for a knock on and Salford kept the pressure on with numerous forced drop outs from the smart short kicking game of Lolohea.
The tension was becoming unbearable for many of the Salford faithful but their persistence paid off in the sixty sixth minute when Mark Flanagan took a delightful short ball from Hastings to crash over. The south and west stands erupted!
Huddersfield’s frustration let them down with Salford taking the two points on offer after Jake Bibby was caught with a high tackle. Despite the slender lead though at 18-12 the match was very much up for grabs in the final ten minutes.
A gift penalty after some real petulance from the visitors handed The Red Devils another penalty goal. From a good forty five yards out Inu was again immaculate, his booming kick sailed over.
Niall Evalds then scored the try of the match. After taking a high kick Super League’s top try scorer raced through the heart of the Giants before sending the supporting Lolohea under the sticks.
Krisnan Inu had the final say swooping on a wayward Giants pass to score in the closing seconds. His conversion capped off a very tense action packed afternoon.
Probably not Salford’s best display of the season but with four matches left it is now all about getting the two points on offer.
Salford coach Ian Watson remained calm after the match and still knows his side has a lot of work to do. “I thought Huddersfield came to play with a real resilience to try and stick in the game and break us. We won large parts of the arm wrestle. We had to be a little more patient today in how we approached the game.”
Salford travel to Hull next Saturday in yet another vital match.
Salford 32 Huddersfield 12
Paul Whiteside.
Pictures by Steve McCormick
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