Match Report | Salford Red Devils | Round 10

The Huddersfield Giants’ hopes of a memorable late comeback were held off by Salford Red Devils, whose early clinical scoring and dominance ensured they took the two points home. the deciding factor.

Looking to bounce back from their narrow and bitter defeat on the road to St Helens, the Giants faced Salford Red Devils, who were fresh from a morale boosting victory over Warrington.

The first half began with the visitors getting us underway, kicking towards their travelling faithful, however it was the Giants who started the strongest.

The Giants were back at them quickly, with Jake Connor utilising his boot, and applying some aggressive deep kicks in attempt to put some early pressure on his opposing number.

Connor found himself at centre stage again but at the other end, as a final-play grubber was sent by standoff Chris Atkin, however danger was averted as Connor palmed the ball away to safety.

Salford opened the scoring as Nene MacDonald found himself on the end of a fantastic interception and covered 70 yards at full stride to touch down for four points.

An extra two were put on comfortably by Marc Sneyd to give Salford a 6-0 lead.

As the 15-minute-mark neared, Giants had their first notable chance as Tui Lolohea put a kick high in the corner for Adam Swift to rise up for, the chance wasn't taken however as Swift was forced into touch by his counterpart Ethan Ryan.

The pressure was maintained by the Giants as they looked to use their width, spreading play well to Elliot Wallis. Although this didn’t amount to points, Giants were gaining their stake back in the game.

Although all was undone as another Salford counter attack was converted by Ethan Ryan, after he followed Nene MacDonald’s line break and picked up his offload to secure the visitors their second try of the night. Sneyd converted calmly again, as The Red Devils extended the score to 12-0.

The Giants thought they had got something back, as Harry Ruston powered over emphatically from close range, however a video ref check found that he was just held up and no try was given.

The video ref was called upon soon after, this time for Salford. The travelling side had another dangerous looking grubber kick get through, but was well defended closely, and superbly, by Ashton Golding for the Giants, to keep the scores at 12-0.

As half time neared, a first card of the night was used as Ryan Brierley was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on returning Esan Marsters, as he looked to breakthrough for a score.

Half time drew to a close with the scores Huddersfield Giants 0-12 Salford Red Devils - Salford started the second half on the front foot, as they carried Elliot Wallis over his own try line and forcing a drop out.

More followed, as Marc Sneyd looked for a cheeky chip over the top of the Giants line, which was parried away by the Giants who were forced into a second drop out in quick succession.

However soon after the Giants line was broken, and this time the Giants could not hold out the Salford onslaught, as Nene MacDonald snuck in from close range for his second try of the night.

He put the ball down under the posts - giving Sneyd easy access to make it 3/3 from the tee, and the score Giants 0-18 Salford Red Devils.

The Giants came back with grit in their teeth in the next set of six, with hard carries from Ikahihifo, as they looked for something to build on.

As the hour mark neared, Elliot Wallis found himself yet again isolated, and frustrated, as he was put into touch by multiple white shirts yet again. The visitors were showing firm defence, as they began to close in on three wins in a row.

Wallis’ was then shown a red card as him and Lafai came together after a knock on, both players clashing heads but only Wallis being shown red.

The Red Devils later picked up their second sin bin of the night, again for a high tackle - this time it was going off for 10 minutes, Chris Atkins the guilty party.

The Giants quickly made use of the numbers being even again, and made some great yards

through Adam Swift, but yet again the chance went untaken, as a misplaced pass found touch instead of a Giants shirt.

Giants did eventually put away an opportunity and it was Adam Swift who got over the line for the hosts - picking up his 11th try of the Super League season. The winger capped of a slick move down the left handside, but with the conversion missed, the score was left at Giants 4-18 Salford Red Devils.

The Giants continued their fightback as a second try came as Tui Lolohea jumped on the end of a smart kick through the Salford line. After a brief video ref review, the try was given and Connor slotted the ball over the posts, to make the score Giants 10-18 Salford Red Devils.

With two minutes left on the clock, Giants got over for a third time in fantastic fashion - when Jake

Bibby touched down acrobatically in the corner to round of a great spell of Giants pressure. Ian Watson's men were showing incredible spirit, with hopes of a memorable comeback building. 

Connor’s successful goal meant it was a 2-point game going into the final set of 6.

But it was not to be for the Giants, as the Red Devils held out to seal their third win in a row, with a final score of Giants 16-18 Salford Red Devils.

Some impressive fight shown at the end by the Giants, however it was just a case of it being too much, too late.

Giants Team: Connor, Swift, Marsters, Naiqama, Wallis, Lolohea, Clune, Wilson, Milner, Greenwood, Rushton, Halsall, Yates

Interchanges: Golding, Ikahihifo, Bobby, Salabio, Russell

Tries: Swift, Lolohea, Bobby

Goals: Connor x2

Salford Red Devils Team: Brierley, Ryan, MacDonald, Lanai, Cross, Atkin, Sneyd, Singleton, Mellor, Ormondroyd, Stone, Watkins, Partington

Interchanges: Cust, Wright, Shorrocks, Dudson, Dixon

Tries: MacDonald x2, Ryan

Goals: Sneyd x3

Attendance - 4843