Salford Red Devils were well beaten by Leigh Leopards this evening.
Injury trouble has hit Paul Rowley’s squad once again, but our Head Coach was able to recall King Vuniyayawa, Amir Bourouh and Chris Hankinson on the interchange bench.
The Leopards set the tone from kick-off, with the likes of Tom Amone and Robbie Mulhern making big metres downfield.
It set the platform for Leigh’s first try of the evening. Matt Moylan skipped across the line and slipped in Umyla Hanley to stroll under the posts.
Lachlan Lam was causing problems with his sharp running game, but it was his neat grubber kick which allowed Josh Charnley to extend the lead by slamming down in the left corner.
Despite a disappointing opening 20 minutes, skipper, Kallum Watkins dragged his team back into the contest with a string of brilliant plays.
The first forced a drop-out when he broke the line and sent a short kick towards Ethan Ryan, but the other did lead to us putting points on the board.
Marc Sneyd found his halfback partner, Chris Atkin and his short ball, followed by Watkins’ offload, allowed Ryan Brierley to stroll in.
Momentum was starting to swing and Sneyd pinned a 20-40 to put us within range once more.
After some inventive play from Ryan, Nene Macdonald grounded the ball for Salford in the right corner, but play was pulled back for an offside.
That – and maybe Leigh’s try just before half-time – was a big moment in the game. Lam had ball in hand and lofted a pass out wide to Hanley, who crashed over for his second of the evening.
Salford needed to return from the break and gain control of proceedings, but it did start to slip away when Charnley went 70 metres from a kick return to score in the corner.
Minutes later, Lam was the architect again with the boot – this time it was Matt Davis who capitalised to score.
Leigh looked comfortable and all-but made sure of the two points when Brad Dwyer cut inside to slide under the sticks.
It was the same source who created the next try; piercing a gap in the Salford line to tee-up Lam for a try of his own.
There was time at the end for Tim Lafai to make a break and add a consolation to take Salford’s tally up to double digits, but it was an all-round disappointing night for the Red Devils, who will have a short break before welcoming Wigan Warriors to the Salford Community Stadium.
MATCH FACTS:
Salford line-up: Ryan Brierley, Ethan Ryan, Nene Macdonald, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross, Chris Atkin, Marc Sneyd, Jack Ormondroyd, Cade Cust, Brad Singleton, Kallum Watkins, Sam Stone, Oliver Partington.
Interchanges: Amir Bourouh, King Vuniyayawa, Ben Hellewell, Chris Hankinson.
Tries: Ryan Brierley, Tim Lafai.
Conversions: Marc Sneyd (2/2)
Leigh Leopards line-up: Matt Moylan, Umyla Hanley, Zak Hardaker, Ricky Leutele, Josh Charnley, Ben McNamara, Lachlan Lam, Tom Amone, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern, Kai O’Donnell, Frankie Halton, Owen Trout.
Interchanges: Jack Hughes, Matt Davis, Brad Dwyer, Ed Chamberlain.
Tries: Umyla Hanley (2), Josh Charnley (2), Brad Dwyer, Lachlan Lam, Matt Davis.
Conversions: Matt Moylan (1/2), Zak Hardaker (5/5)
HT: 16-6
