Salford Red Devils rolled the Huddersfield Giants over at the John Smith’s Stadium this afternoon, with a 28-0 win that secured their spot in the Play-Offs Semi-Final.
Early pressure from Salford caused some rash defending from the Giants. Shane Wright was clipped with a high tackle and the Red Devils opted for the two. Marc Sneyd converted.
From a scrum, Salford moved the ball left and it was that Tim Lafai and Joe Burgess combination that sent our number five over in the corner.
In the 15th minute, Brodie Croft did what he does best – broke through the middle – and fed the supporting Kallum Watkins, who went over under the sticks.
As the half-way point of the first forty approached, Giants were penalised in front of the sticks for a high tackle on Tyler Dupree. Salford opted for the two again and Sneyd converted.
Ryan Brierley saw yellow in the 25th minute for obstructing Tui Lolohea, who looked set to score after sending a chip kick over the full-back.
Just before the half-time hooter, Croft was caught round the head and went off for a HIA, which he failed.
Half-time: Huddersfield Giants 0-16 Salford Red Devils
The first 10 minutes of the second forty was quite scrappy as both sides wrestled for control.
Giants looked the most threatening on the ball, but it was Salford who scored the first points of the half. On the last, Sneyd sent a neat grubber kick under the posts that Brierley was first to – grounding the ball in front of a bouncing Salford away end.
Salford pulled off a huge defensive effort to keep the Giants other out for the remainder of the second second half, and Paul Rowley’s side deserve huge credit to nil a side like Huddersfield in such a huge game.
Right at the death, Andy Ackers put the icing on the cake. Our number nine scooted past his man and broke 40 metres down the field to the jubilant Salford faithful.
Salford now travel to the Totally Wicked Stadium on Saturday 17th September, for the Play-Offs Semi-Final against St. Helens. The game kicks off at 1pm and tickets are available HERE.
Full-time: Huddersfield Giants 0-28 Salford Red Devils
Huddersfield: Lolohea, Cudjoe, King, Leutele, Senior, Russell, Fages, Trout, Levi, Hill, McQueen, Jones, Yates, Pryce, Greenwood, Ikahihifo, English.
Salford: Brierley, Sio, Cross, Lafai, Burgess, Croft, Sneyd, Dupree, Ackers, Wright, Taylor, Watkins, Gerrard, Luckley, Vuniyayawa, Atkin, Ormondroyd.
Salford tries: Burgess (13′), Watkins (15′), Brierley (49′), Ackers (79′)
Salford goals: Sneyd (4/4)
Salford penalty goals: Sneyd (2/2)
