It has been a big weekend in the Betfred Super League and it finished with a huge game in the play-off race as Leeds Rhinos headed to Salford Red Devils hoping to close the gap on them in sixth to just two points whilst Hull KR’s defeat to Hull FC opened the door for the Rhinos to draw level with the Robins.
Leeds were without in form star Blake Austin through suspension so Corey Johnson was the curve ball choice in the halves.
Salford had their spine all back together after recent injury blows but it was the Rhinos who struck first with Cameron Smith probing across the line before picking his gap to score.
However, Salford would then heap on the pressure and Leeds would need try savers on Joe Burgess and Tim Lafai to stay ahead.
However, Lafai would eventually get on the board touching down a grubber to make it 6-4.
Leeds though would hit back with Richie Myler finding Ash Handley in the corner for his 99th Super League try to make it 10-4.
Just before the break Rhyse Martin nailed a penalty to make it 12-4.
But in the second half Salford would catch Leeds cold scoring almost a carbon copy of their first try with Lafai again scoring making it 12-10, Martin’s penalty proving key.
It was now Ryan Brierley kicking goals for Salford and he missed another effort at goal after Ken Sio put the Red Devils in front for the first time as Leeds were poor at the start of the second half.
They would burst into life and heap pressure on the Red Devils’ line but Salford stood up to it.
Then after a scuffle from a scrum Mikolaj Oledzki and Chris Atkin were sin binned and in their absence Leeds won a penalty and Martin levelled matters.
It wasn’t long until he was firing Leeds ahead kicking a penalty after forcing a goal line drop out making it 16-14.
Myler then thought he had sealed the win with a try but it was disallowed for obstruction.
However, it proved inconsequential as Leeds won 16-14.
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