Head Coach, Paul Rowley has credited his team’s first-half performance despite falling to defeat against Leeds Rhinos last night.
Round 19 of the Betfred Super League saw the Reds travel to AMT Headingley, where, despite a fantastic victory last time out, the line-up felt battered and bruised with the absence of three key players.
Esan Marsters and Jayden Nikorima both suffered nasty injuries that will likely keep them out for an extended period, with Loghan Lewis also missing the game through concussion protocols.
The Rhinos are one of the form teams in the competition and there was a fear their physicality and athleticism off the back of a tough week could get on top of the Red Devils.
However, that was far from the case in the first forty, where, despite Alfie Edgell’s quick-fire double, Ryan Brierley’s try got his side back within four.
It may have been even better when Declan Murphy showed lightning speed to sprint through, round Lachie Miller and score, but the play was pulled back for obstruction in the build-up.
Leeds’ power, particularly off the bench, took over in the second-half and perhaps put a distance on the scoreboard that didn’t reflect how closely fought the contest was.
Giving his summary of the game in his post-match press conference, Rowley said: “We had a good dig. Everybody played fantastically in that first-half, and we were unlucky not to go in (at half-time) level or in front with that Declan Murphy try as well.
“Everything was upbeat at half-time, we had a plan and it was working, but Leeds turned up the dial. The loss of Matty Foster with the sin bin really damaged us, and Leeds are a good team 13 on 13, so 13 on 12 became very difficult.
“As all good teams do, they had a strong bench who made a difference for them, and we couldn’t contain the speed and power of Leeds – so credit to them for turning it up like they did in the second-half and getting the job done.”
Tap the video above to watch Paul’s full post-match press…
