Salford Red Devils hosted Leeds Rhinos in Round Seven of Super League and here’s our verdict on how the game went.
Leeds won the game 28-0 but that’s an unfair scoreline on Salford who were immense in their defensive efforts, particularly in the first half. Fatigue got to Paul Rowley’s side and two early second-half tries for the Rhinos killed the game off with James McDonnell scoring four on the night.
Jake Connor was at the heart of three of them with the ex-Huddersfield man still proving to be one of the signings of the season.
Paul Rowley’s side were dealt a blow with Ryan Brierley not named in the side after having pulled up in the warm-up prior to their recent Challenge Cup tie. As for Leeds, they made just one change with Matt Frawley replacing Brodie Croft who is out with a hamstring injury.
Prior to the game, Salford CEO Chris Irwin gave a major update on the club’s financial situation and their future, much of which was quite bleak, however, the Red Devils’ players took to the field and gave fans plenty to celebrate given their efforts. Here’s out verdict on the game.
Unlikely four-try hero fires Leeds Rhinos into top six with win over Salford Red Devils
Keenan Palasia ended Round Six in the sin bin and it took just 11 seconds of play for him to be sent there once again as he caught Chris Atkin high on the first tackle of the game.
That sin bin perhaps helped prevent what many had expected to be a rout for Leeds given Salford’s weakened side, however, the Red Devils were game and defended fiercely throughout the first half.
Whilst Salford did have chances of their own, the game was almost entirely played in Salford’s own half with plenty of it played inside their own 20. The deadlock eventually broke just before the 25-minute mark when James McDonnell crossed over after a Jake Connor offload.
Connor could miss the kick and those four points were the only ones scored until the dying seconds of the first half, when Salford gave away a penalty in front of the sticks which Lachie Miller knocked over to make it 6-0 after 40 minutes. Incredibly, Leeds had 29 play the balls inside Salford’s 20 in that first half, highlighting both the Rhinos’ blunt attack and the Red Devils’ effort-driven defence.
That defence was breached early in the second half with the magic of Harry Newman creating space for Ryan Hall on the wing. The ball went back inside to James McDonnell who scored his second with the former Wigan man adding a third just minutes later to make it 16-0, with Jake Connor’s smart kick creating the third.
Mikolakj Oledzki found himself in the sin bin for a shoulder charge and Harry Newman saw a try disallowed after a blatant double movement but Lachie Miller would score one of his own to make it 22-0. McDonnell would score a fourth and it looked like he had scored a fifth but the score was correctly ruled out for a forward pass from Harry Newman, leaving the final score at 28-0.
Good day for
The Salford fans can leave a match once again beaming with pride about their team. Whilst there is little to be optimistic about at the moment, fans can take solace in the immense efforts their side are putting in.
Bad day for
Brad Arthur’s side came away with the two points but the Australian will not have been happy about the manner of the win or the ill-discipline with two sin bins and numerous penalties. His side also lacked any true edge outside of Jake Connor with their 29 first-half play the balls in the Salford 20 showcasing their blunt attack.
Star man
James McDonnell proved the unlikely hero for Leeds with the second-rower scoring four tries but Jake Connor was the man responsible for three of them, whilst also producing a spectacular 40/20.
Teams
Salford Red Devils XIII: Chris Atkin, Joshua Wagstaffe, Esan Marsters, Jonny Vaughan, Billy Glover, Jayden Nikorima, Kai Morgan, Jack Ormondroyd, Joe Mellor, Matty Foster, Shane Wright, Kallum Watkins, Harvey Wilson
Interchanges: Sam Davis, Justin Sangare, Jamie Pye, George Hill
Leeds Rhinos XIII: Lachie Miller, Ryan Hall, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Riley Lumb, Matt Frawley, Jake Connor, Mikolak Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Cooper Jenkins, James Bentley, James McDonnell, Keenan Palasia
Interchanges: Morgan Gannon, Sam Lisone, Jack Sinfield, Tom Holroyd
Round 7 gets underway 🙌
Coming up on @SkySportsRL 😍#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/RqIYleEfPX
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 10, 2025
