Despite a strong start to the match, Salford Red Devils were defeated by Leeds Rhinos at Salford Community Stadium.
Salford kicked off the match strong as they ended their first set with a spectacular 40-20 by Marc Sneyd. The spectacle continued as Captain, Kallum Watkins, leaped over the whitewash to score an incredible first try of the night.
The away side got close to the line but a fumble by Cooper Jenkins stopped them short, keeping the Reds in the lead and allowing them to fight back across the pitch from the scrum.
Unfortunately for the Reds, Leeds began to catch up as a second set of six in Salford’s 20 led to a Riley Lumb try. However, Jake Connor was unable to get the conversion which left the home side two points ahead.
Morgan Gannon continued the Rhinos’ fortune as he managed to ground the ball in the far left, despite Salford’s defence attempt to hold him back.
A scuffle broke out near the Leeds try line as they gave away a penalty but the Reds were sadly unable to take advantage of the position.
Leeds’ lead was extended by Lumb again in the left corner, following a series of well-timed passes across the pitch.
The game was paused in the 37th minute as Brodie Croft was hit by a high tackle that left him needing treatment on the pitch. He was soon carried off on a stretcher and Matt Frawley came on in his place. Joe Shorrocks was handed a yellow card for the tackle, leaving Salford a man down.
Connor took the penalty kick in front of the sticks to give the Rhinos a 16-6 lead at half-time.
Sneyd mirrored kick-off at the start of the second half, kicking a second 40-20 and bringing his side right to the line. Leeds then collected his chip over, stopping the Reds at the last second.
Cameron Smith then became the first to call a successful Captain’s Challenge in 2025, winning his side a penalty for a ball steal in the tackle.
Ash Handley was next on the scoresheet as his short kick backwards enabled him to collect the ball and ground it by the sticks. Liam Moore had originally called a no try, but it was then given when sent to video ref.
Nene Macdonald’s skills were showcased with a brilliant line-break and pass to Jayden Nikorima who continued the race to the whitewash but was unfortunately stopped short.
James Bentley pushed the Rhinos further ahead as he intercepted the ball from Shorrocks and got to the try line unchallenged.
Another incredible Macdonald line-break sparked a series of well-timed passes from the right to the left wing, ending in Leeds’ 20. Sadly, this spark didn’t convert into a try.
Ryan Hall ended Leeds Rhinos’ scoring with ten minutes to go, joining his teammates on the scoresheet for their sixth try of the match.
The Red Devils will now look ahead to next Thursday’s match against Hull KR at Craven Park.
MATCH FACTS:
Salford XIII: Ryan Brierley, Nene Macdonald, Esan Marsters, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross, Jayden Nikorima, Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton, Chris Atkin, Chris Hill, Shane Wright, Kallum Watkins (C), Joe Shorrocks
Interchanges: Chris Hankinson, Justin Sangare, Matty Foster, Jack Ormondroyd
Tries: Kallum Watkins
Conversions: Marc Sneyd (1/1)
Leeds XIII: Jake Connor, Riley Lumb, Ash Handley, Harry Newman, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley, Keenan Palasia, Andy Ackers, Cooper Jenkins, James Bentley, James McDonnell, Cameron Smith
Interchanges: Jarrod O’Connor, Sam Listen, Tom Holroyd, Morgan Gannon.
Tries: Lumb (2), Gannon, Handley, Bentley, Hall.
Conversions: Connor (4/6)
HT: 6-16
FT: 6-32
