Salford Red Devils fell to a 20-0 defeat at the hands of Leeds Rhinos despite producing a resilient performance at a rain-soaked Emerald Headingley Stadium.
Prior to today’s game, Salford had won just once at Headingley in the Super League era and this run looked set to continue as The Red Devils made a sluggish start to the contest – some quick hands from the hosts allowed Tom Briscoe to dive over in the corner with just five minutes on the clock, however Kallum Watkins’ conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Things quickly worsened for Ian Watson’s side as The Rhinos doubled their lead just twelve minutes later, Niall Evalds failed to keep hold of the ball and Ash Golding subsequently pounced on to the loose ball before touching down, Watkins added the extras to claim his first goal of the day.
Despite being behind, Salford stood up to the test ahead and almost got on the scoreboard when Jake Bibby broke towards the right-hand corner but Stevie Ward produced a try saving tackle to push Bibby into touch.
However, Leeds weren’t to be kept at bay for long and extended their lead further as Salford gave away a penalty 15m from their own line and the hosts opted to kick at goal – Watkins duly converted the penalty in what was the final point scoring action of the half.
Salford’s misfortune continued when Evalds suffered a head injury seconds before the interval – after a high shot from Handley caused the full-back to fall to the floor – and Lui switched to full-back early into the second period to fill in during Evalds’ absence.
Minutes later, club captain Weller Hauraki found himself placed on report by referee Greg Dolan as the forward’s challenge on former Red Devil Richie Myler was deemed a dangerous shoulder charge by the touch judges.
The Red Devils found themselves further behind when Kallum Watkins slotted home a penalty in front of the sticks twenty minutes from time – despite forging a number of attacking opportunities during the half.
Leeds crossed over again in the 76th minute when Josh Walters powered his way over from close-range after The Rhinos had forced Salford into successive goal-line drop outs, Watkins converted to take the hosts up to the 20 point mark and complete the scoring.
Leeds Lineup: Golding, Briscoe, Watkins, Handley, Hall, Moon, Myler, Delaney, Parcell, Singleton, Ward, Ablett, Walters
Interchanges: Dwyer, Ferres, Smith, Oledzki
Salford Lineup: Evalds, Bibby, Welham, Sa’u, Olpherts, Lui, Wood, Nakubuwai, Tomkins, Griffin, Jones, Burgess, Murray
Interchanges: Littlejohn, Hauraki, Tasi, Lannon
Leeds Scorers: Tries- Briscoe (5’), Golding (17’), Walters (76’)
Goals- Watkins (18’, 35’, 58’, 77’)
Salford Scorers: Tries- N/A
Goals- N/A
Man of the Match: Daniel Murray
Referee: Greg Dolan
Touch Judges: Joe Stearne & Peter Brooke
In Goal Judges: Connor Astbury & Joseph Turner
Attendance: 10,718
