Salford Red Devils were beaten by Huddersfield Giants in a scrappy contest at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Head Coach, Paul Rowley handed a debut to Joe Bullock off the interchange bench, whilst their were also welcome returns for Cade Cust and Nene Macdonald.
There were very few highlights of the first 30 minutes, with errors aplenty and both sides battling for any sort of field position.
Ethan Ryan put a nice shot on Sam Halsall halt some momentum from the hosts and earned Salford the first real period of good ball.
Both halfbacks were trying to force any sort of opening, but nothing was coming off for the Reds.
It looked like we were heading for a goalless half, but Ollie Partington was penalised for some interference in the ruck and Jake Connor opted to take the penalty-goal.
A Harry Rushton error gifted possession back to Salford from the restart and it was a golden opportunity to put some points on the board.
Joe Bullock – on debut – and then Cust set the platform, before Joe Mellor produced a trademark scurry from dummy-half to crash under the sticks.
That brought up career try number 100 – a fantastic moment for the hooker. Sneyd kicked the extras and handed us a half-time lead.
The Giants emerged from the break almost reinvigorated and pushed Salford back on our own line for the first five or so minutes.
A mazy run from Kevin Naiqama almost created a chance, but Shane Wright thwarted his short dink in-behind by dropping on the loose ball.
Vintage Sneyd nailed a 20-40 from the resulting set to hand us a big chance to score another try and a further penalty may have actually seen us kick for goal.
Macdonald opted against it and took a quick tap to try and catch the Giants off guard. A few plays later, Sneyd’s pass was well read by Sam Halsall, who raced 90 metres upfield to score.
Connor’s missed conversion kept the game at 8-8 and tempted the idea of golden point.
Both sides then traded penalty-goals, but it was Salford’s error which caused the most damage, with Brad Singleton sent to the sin bin by referee, Jack Smith.
There was some heroic defending by Chris Hankinson and Sneyd to deny Aidan McGowan minutes later, but another conceded penalty – this time by Shane Wright – allowed Connor to nudge the Giants in front.
That was a moment which ultimately swung the balance. Adam Milner crashed over from short range to confirm the win and confine the Red Devils to a second consecutive defeat.
Next up is the visit of Castleford Tigers, next Saturday at the Salford Community Stadium.
MATCH FACTS:
Salford line-up: Ryan Brierley, Ethan Ryan, Chris Hankinson, Nene Macdonald, Deon Cross, Cade Cust, Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton, Joe Mellor, Ollie Partington, Shane Wright, Kallum Watkins, Joe Shorrocks.
Interchanges: Chris Atkin, Gil Dudson, Harvey Wilson, Joe Bullock.
Tries: Joe Mellor.
Conversions: Marc Sneyd (2/2)
Huddersfield Giants line-up: Jake Connor, Elliot Wallis, Kevin Naiqama, Sam Halsall, Aidan McGowan, Tui Lolohea, Adam Clune, Chris Hill, Adam Milner, Matty English, Jake Bibby, Leroy Cudjoe, Harry Rushton.
Interchanges: Ashton Golding, Oliver Russell, Hugo Salabio, Fenton Rodgers.
Tries: Sam Halsall, Adam Milner.
Conversions: Jake Connor (4/5)
HT: 2-6
Photo credit: Steve McCormick
