After a miserable few days on the weather front the rain held off at the AJ Bell Stadium for Salford’s clash with Huddersfield.
The Giants match with Leeds had been postponed last weekend but after an excellent away victory in round one at Catalans in Perpignan, Simon Woolford’s team were looking for two more points on the road.
Salford started the game on the front foot forcing drop outs to test the visitors defence. Kris Welham came up with a piece of centre play right out of the top drawer to put Ken Sio in with a shout of a try but he was marginally in touch.
The video referee was called in to action in the thirteenth minute as Sio again looked to squeeze in at the corner. Referee James Child awarded a try on the field but this was over turned after checking the various replays.
Huddersfield took the lead with a try from Adam O Brien. The busy Giants hooker snatching a try from close range. Aidan Sezer converted 0-6.
Ken Sio then made it third time lucky after slick passing from Niall Evalds and Kevin Brown put him over to score. Tui Lolohea’s goal attempt fell well short, 4-6.
It’s fair to say the first half had become a real arm wrestle. Neither side getting on top and not much fluidity in attack.
The first action of the second half saw Tyrone McCarthy kick through for Evalds who desperately tried to pinch the try. The video referee was again called in to action and the try was denied.
Salford kept the pressure on and moments later they were rewarded when all action centre Dan Sarginson crashed over to nudge the Red Devils in front. Lolohea booted the goal of the touch line to put his side ahead 10-6.
Former Canberra Raiders star Sezer began to pull the strings for the Giants. Some of his kicks were slightly off kilter but his wonderful cut out pass found young winger Louis Senior who touched down to level the scores at 10-10.
Huddersfield took the ascendancy and began to play with a renewed energy. Jordan Turner forced a drop out as the pressure ramped up an extra few notches. To Salford’s credit their defence was up to the task.
Hard working Welham dumped Senior into touch with a crunching tackle as both sides scrapped for field position and territorial advantage.
As the match entered the closing five minutes it looked like a drop goal would be the favoured option for either side to grab the glory. Lolohea had a go but his kicked was dragged well wide of the mark.
What happened next certainly cost Salford the match. Referee Child looked to have a awarded Salford a penalty within kicking distance. A huge fracas followed with Kevin Brown in the middle of it. The Red Devils scrum half was sent to the sin bin for a challenge on Turner. The Giants were awarded the penalty and moved down the pitch on the attack. Lee Mossop was pinged for off side bang in front of the posts with two minutes remaining. Sezer took the gift penalty goal on offer to wrap up the two points to send the Giants back to West Yorkshire with the narrow win.
Salford coach Ian Watson took plenty of positives from the match and feels his new look side are improving despite the defeat. “A couple of bad reads meant we conceded two rubbish tries really. We’ll fix them up we just know that theirs certain things that we can be better at and improve at if we are going to be a top team”.
Salford are at home again next Saturday when they face Leeds Rhinos at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Final score Salford 10 Huddersfield 12.
Paul Whiteside.
Pictures by Steve McCormick
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