Salford have had a torrid time over the years at Headingley winning just once at Leeds in the summer era – so it wasn’t difficult to choose this weeks ‘flashback’.
It was The Red Devils first season back in the Super League following promotion via the licensing system and Shaun McRae’s side earned their third victory of the season, and their first away from home, against eventual 2009 League Leaders’ Shield winners and Super League winners Leeds Rhinos.
The visitors raced into an impressive 22-6 by the 50th minute. John Wilshere opened the scoring for Salford on the back of a clever grubber kick from Richie Myler. Mark Henry soon extended the lead as he touched down in the corner after some flowing hands down the line.
Jamie Jones Buchanan soon crossed for the Rhinos to narrow the arrears but a mistake from Ali Lauititi was pounced on by Myler who then went 70 metres to finish a magnificient solo effort.
Myler’s kicking game was causing issues for the Rhinos and Robbie Paul benefitted when one of Myler’s grubber kicks richocheted into the half-backs arms to score. Wilshere converted to give Salford a 22-6 lead.
But, Leeds wouldn’t go down without a fight as Keith Senior and Ryan Hall linked up well with the latter scoring. Wilshere attempted to slow down a Rhinos comeback with a long-range penalty goal but some good play from Kevin Sinfield and Jones-Buchanan allowed Senior to score before Jamie Peacock barrelled his way over with seven minutes remaining.
The Red Devils led by just four points heading into the closing stages but they managed to crush any hopes of a late Rhinos victory thanks to another breakaway try. A Leeds pass went to ground before being latched onto by Jordan Turner who went 60 metres to score. Wilshere added the extras to give Salford their first ever Super League victory over the Rhinos.
The teams that day – April 13th 2009
Salford: Wilshere, Henry, Littler, Turner, Ratchford; Smith, Myler; Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Adamson, Parker, Swain. Interchanges: Sibbit, Leuluai, Paul, Jewitt.
Leeds: Webb, Jones-Bishop, Ablett, Senior, Hall; McGuire, Burrow; Burgess, Diskin, Bailey, Jones-Buchanan, Kirke, Sinfield. Interchanges: Leuluai, Lauititi, Peacock, Buderus.
