After last weeks  heroic performance against Warrington, Salford arrived in West Yorkshire to face Huddersfield with a strong squad. 

Victory for the Red Devils would keep them right in touch with the top four in the League Table. 

Brad Singleton returned from injury to start at prop and Sam Stone was back in the second row. 

The Giants had Super League’s top try scorer on the wing Adam Swift. Tui Lolahea partnered Adam Clune in the halves.

The pitch looked in great shape but a little greasy, perfect for a smart kicking game. 

Both sides traded sets in the opening stages but the first points went to Salford. 

Nene McDonald came up with a brilliant read to intercept a pass from a Giants attack! He raced clear with no one able to get closed, his sheer speed a joy to watch. Marc Sneyd converted the try, 0-6.

Salford looked well organised on both attack and defence. The home side had plenty of possession and territory but the Red Devils muscled up superbly, goal line defence was water tight in the first half with Chris Atkin and Ethan Ryan coming up with some crucial tackles. 

Salford doubled the lead with a super team try. Jack Ormondroyd laid the platform with a big burst before Atkin put McDonald clear. The Papua New Guinean flyer found his winger Ryan with a delightful pass as the away supporters behind the sticks roared him home for arguably Salford’s best try of the season. 

The Giants were denied a try by the video referee but their player was clearly held up over the line by fantastic last ditch defending.

Salford’s only real blow of the first half was losing fullback Ryan Brierley in the final minute after he was sin binned for a high tackle.

The visitors were in complete control at the break. Huddersfield looked rudderless and seemed to be running out of ideas.

The Red Devils forced the Giants into their own in goal area in the first notable play of the second half. That desire and commitment in defence was rewarded moments later when McDonald powered over from dummy half. Sneyd made it three from three and Salford were 0-18 in front. Giants young winger Elliot Wallis was shown the red card after coming together with Tim Lafai. It seemed a ridiculous decision as both players seemed to confront each other but it was nothing a stern telling off wouldn’t have solved by the referee. 

This seemed to galvanise the home side who threw caution to the wind and started to force the pass and take chances. With just over fifteen minutes remaining Salford staff off Chris Atkin was sin binned for a professional foul. 

The Giants continued to look disorganised and frustrated. A lot of their play from Connor and Lolohea was off the cuff. 

Adam Swift raced in with nine minutes left and shortly after Lolahea scored a superb individual try following up his own kick. Connor kick one and missed one, 10-18.

Substitute Jake Bibby crashed over with just over a minute left to reduce Salford’s lead to two points at 16-18. 

The Giants got one more set but Salford tackled well to take a much deserved victory with the score line some what flattering a Huddersfield side that didn’t get going until the final ten minutes. 

Marc Sneyd controlled the game from start to finish and Nene McDonald is proving to be a fantastic signing for Salford!

The result came at a cost for Salford, hooker Joe Mellor broke his hand and will be sidelined for a significant length of time and Joe Shorrocks also injured his knee. 

Paul Rowley certainly has plenty to deal with managing his squad and keeping them healthy but he can be very proud of another fantastic win away from home against a Huddersfield side of what much is expected of in 2024! Salford keep flying under the radar and that’s just how Rowley likes it.

Huddersfield 16 Salford 18.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.