Salford 26-12 Leeds: Red Devils pile on misery for Leeds- talking points
Salford Red Devils ended a run of three straight defeats after scoring three late tries to beat Leeds.
The Rhinos took the lead through Mikolaj Oledzki, but Salford soon levelled through Ken Sio. Ash Handley restored that lead before the break.
However, second half tries from Chris Atkin, Elijah Taylor and Ryan Brierley turned the game around and won it for the hosts.
Salford made three changes ahead of the match. Sitaleki Akauola, James Greenwood and Danny Addy all made way. Meanwhile, Chris Atkin and Greg Burke return, while Jack Wells is back in the team having spent time on loan at Barrow.
While Leeds made four changes to the side that was beaten by Hull FC. David Fusitu’a, Corey Johnson, Matt Prior and Morgan Gannon all dropped out. Meanwhile, Kruise Leeming, James Bentley and Cameron Smith returned from suspension, while Jack Broadbent also came in.
Match Report
Leeds almost took the lead with four minutes on the clock. Ash Handley got the ball out wide and went for the line. But the effort was ruled out by video referee Liam Moore for a double movement.
However, just before the 10 minute mark, Leeds would take the lead. Marc Sneyd dropped an Aidan Sezer kick under pressure from James Bentley, and Mikolaj Oledzki picked the ball up and scored. Rhyse Martin converted for a six-point lead.
Salford were almost able to respond on 13 minutes. They spread the ball out to Joe Burgess, who slid for the line, but he ended up in touch before he got the ball down.
Five minutes later, the Red Devils would not be denied. They worked the ball out wide after a drop-out, and Ken Sio scored in the corner. Marc Sneyd kicked the conversion to level the game.
The Rhinos took the lead for the second time just before the half-hour. Jack Walker threw a cutout pass, and Ash Handley went over in the corner to score. Martin could not add the conversion from out wide, meaning the lead stood at two points.
Just before the break, Leeds found themselves down to 12 men. Bodene Thompson was sent to the sin bin after persistent offending by the Rhinos close to the line.
From the resulting penalty, Sneyd took the two points, and brought Salford back within two points.
HT- Salford 8-10 Leeds
The second half was a tight affair, but Leeds found themselves down to 12 men for the second time. Just before the hour, Zane Tetevano was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Ken Sio. Sio had to leave the field after being down for a couple of minutes receiving treatment.
For the second time, Salford could not take advantage. The next points would end up going to Leeds just a couple of minutes later.
Andy Ackers was pulled for a ball steal on Oledzki 30 metres out, and Martin kicked his second goal of the night.
However, with just over 10 minutes to go, Salford took the lead for the first time. Burgess led the counter-attack, although he was stopped by Oledzki in the middle of the pitch. They carried on their momentum, and Chris Atkin was able to slide over in the corner. Sneyd added the converted.
Just a couple of minutes later, Salford made the game safe. Brodie Croft was able to put Elijah Taylor through a gap, and he went through to score. Sneyd maintained his perfect record for the boot.
Things got even better for Salford before the end. King Vuniyaywa got through a gap and put the supporting Ryan Brierley over to score. Sneyd once again hit the conversion.
The Red Devils will be hoping to maintain the momentum when their attention turns to the Challenge Cup next week. They travel to Wigan next Friday.
Meanwhile, Leeds will be hoping to put this night behind them when they welcome Castleford to Headingley in the cup on Saturday.
FT- Salford 26-12 Leeds
Team News
Salford: Brierley, Sio, Cross, Lafai, Burgess, Croft, Sneyd, Ormondroyd, Ackers, Gerrard, Lannon, Wright, Taylor. Subs: Burke, Vuniyayawa, Atkin, Wells.
Tries: Sio, Atkin, Taylor, Brierley Goals: Sneyd 5/5
Leeds: Walker, Briscoe, Broadbent, Sutcliffe, Handley, Austin, Sezer, Oledzki, Leeming, Tetevano, Bentley, Martin, Smith. Subs: Dwyer, Mellor, Thompson, Donaldson.
Tries: Oledzki, Handley Goals: Martin 2/3
Talking Points
Indiscipline cost Leeds
The Rhinos had two players in the sin bin at different periods during the match. Although Salford didn’t make it count during at the time, the penalties Leeds gave away took Salford up the pitch late on. It was ultimately what won them the game.
Salford deepen Leeds’ worry
The Red Devils got themselves back to winning ways, ending a run of three straight defeats. However, that result leaves Leeds with still only one win so far in 2022.
Ken Sio worry
One moment that would have had Salford fans worried was Ken Sio going off in the second half. It was later revealed that he failed his HIA, so he will be missing for the Red Devils next week. As their top-try scorer, Salford will definitely miss Sio out on the pitch.
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