Leeds Rhinos defied two injuries and a disastrous start as they rained on Salford Red Devils’ parade today.
In their first game under new ownership, Salford made 17 changes to the side crushed 82-0 at St Helens seven days earlier and were 6-0 up before Leeds had possession.
But after weathering the storm, Rhinos worked their way into the game, taking a 16-6 half-time lead and shutting out their hosts after the break.
That was despite a string of injuries to pivotal players. Scrum-half Matt Frawley went off for treatment to a cut hand in the opening quarter, loose-forward and co-captain Cameron Smith hobbled off four minutes before the break and concussed stand-off Brodie Croft was taken to the changing rooms on a stretcher after a 12-minute stoppage.
Smith was in a protective boot on Leeds’ bench in the second half and Croft was well enough to join him late in the match.
Leeds Rhinos score 32 unanswered points to defeat Salford Red Devils
Salford’s new era got off to a stream start with a try before Leeds had possession. Marc Sneyd landed a 40-20 in the first set and from that, the same player sent Kallum Watkins crashing over past James Bentley, with just 80 seconds on the clock.
Sneyd converted and it took a kick to crack the hosts’ defence, with 18 minutes gone, when Jake Connor dabbed the ball behind the line and rookie winger Riley Lumb ran through to touch down.
The visitors’ second try, just seven minutes later, came via a similar route. Connor’s kick rebounded off a defender to Morgan Gannon who put on some footwork and then held off three defenders to stretch over the line.
Lumb touched down again seven minutes before half-time as Leeds kept the ball alive on the last through Connor and Gannon before Ash Handley’s pass was finished well at the corner by his winger.
Joe Shorrocks was sin-binned for a foul on Croft before the clash of heads with Jack Ormondroyd which ended his game. Connor booted the subsequent penalty to send Leeds in 16-6 ahead.
Rhinos increased their lead 10 minutes after the resumption. They kept the ball alive on the last, Harry Newman’s kick was tapped on by Handley and he picked up to touch down. Referee Liam Moore indicated no try, but was overturned by his video assistant Liam Rush.
Bentley picked Shorrocks’ pocket to score Leeds’ fifth try on the hour and in the closing stages Ryan Hall crossed from Connor’s pass. Connor finished with four goals from eight attempts, missing with a penalty after the final hooter.
Super League history was made at the start of the second half when Leeds captain Handley challenged a knock-on against him and video referee Liam Rush overturned the decision, awarding Leeds a penalty for a ball steal.
Salford Red Devils: Brierley, Macdonald, Marsters, Lafai, Cross, Nikorima, Sneyd, Singleton, Atkin, Hill, Wright, Watkins, Shorrocks. Subs Hankinson, Sangare, Foster, Ormondroyd.
Leeds Rhinos: Connor, Lumb, Handley, Newman, Hall, Croft, Frawley, Palasia, Ackers, Jenkins, McDonnell, Bentley, C Smith. Subs Lisone, Holroyd, Gannon, O’Connor.
Referee: Liam Moore (Wigan).
It is a comprehensive win for the Rhinos as they secure the victory against Salford
Salford Red Devils 6 – 32 Rhinos
🤝 In partnership #Anchor #ButtertheFoodButtertheMood pic.twitter.com/MECiyMlAeM— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) February 22, 2025
