A lot of talk in the media this week focused on the magical amount of points to make the top six playoffs. This time of year momentum is a very significant factor and that’s something Salford needed to start building again.

Huddersfield have been one of the years under achieving teams and any hopes the Giants had of making the playoffs had fizzled out a good while ago costing former coach Ian Watson his job. Under caretaker boss Luke Robinson the team were showing signs of improvement with a fair amount of pressure now off the club. 

Salford were looking to continue their excellent home record in 2024. Only Wigan had left the City of Salford with points and the Red Devils were facing a Huddersfield side with a good few former players in it.

With Oliver Partington and Tim Lafai suspended coach Paul Rowley had to make changes to his seventeen. Sam Stone was also missing after picking up an injury last Sunday at Elland Road.

Chris Hankinson slotted in at centre for Lafai. Chris Atkin made his 100th Salford appearance at loose forward with Shane Wright moving into the back row to cover Sam Stone’s absence. Amir Bourouh made the bench with Harvey Wilson.

The Giants had Tui Lolahea and Oliver Russell in the halves. Jake Connor started at fullback and Jake Bibby was in the centres. Ashton Golding started at hooker with the experienced Chris Hill and Leroy Cudjoe at prop and loose forward respectively. 

The weather had been a bit showery throughout the day but was fine and dry for a teatime kick off. 

Huddersfield looked dangerous in the early stages as they attacked Salford’s left edge. Good fullback play from Ryan Brierley kept the Giants out.

Despite the visitors early promise the first half was all one way traffic as Salford clicked through the gears with some blistering attacking rugby. Jayden Nikorima came of age with a dazzling first half performance. He broke clear to put Atkin over for the games first try before Andre Savelio was sin binned from a very clumsy tackle. 

Salford doubled their lead from Marc Sneyd’s precision kick. Brierley followed up to pounce. 12-0. Quick thinking and a neat offload from Deon Cross gifted Brierley his second try to put Salford 18-0 up. Sneyd then booted a penalty goal from about forty two yards out to give the Red Devils a twenty point cushion. 

The first half still had plenty of scintillating action to come and when Nikorima scorched through a jaded Giants defence Ethan Ryan backed up superbly before passing back to Nikorima who finished a fantastic move. Motörhead’s Ace of Spades belted out from the speakers and the crowd lapped it up. 

Captain Kallum Watkins was magnificent in defence and his subtle offloads were little touches of brilliance and a joy to watch.

 Right on the hooter Nikorima ran the Giants defence ragged to score a wonderful individual try. 32-0 at the break summed up a near perfect half.

Sometimes it’s hard to replicate such a good half in the next forty minutes but Salford weren’t to shabby. Two quick tries set them on their way. Ethan Ryan finished well after good work from Nene Macdonald before youngster Harvey Wilson stormed through showing special footwork and a hot turn of pace. Sneyd converted both, 42-0.

Giants stand off Oliver Russell was sin binned for holding on far too long in the tackle on the back of Macdonald’s break. The visitors were chasing shadows and were starved of possession due to Salford’s try exploits and faultless completion rate.

Sneyd sent Macdonald through a huge gap to score and he was off to celebrate with the supporters in the South stand which was a joy to see. 

Another end to end break had players queuing up to score and this time Sneyd ghosted over.

The Giants eventually decided to kick off short and desperately gathered possession. Sam Hewitt powered over to get them some points. 

Kallum Watkins could of scored as he charged to the line but he gifted Brierley his hat trick with a pass close to the line. I think that just about sums Watkins up, he’s absolutely class as a person and a player. Sneyd converted to put Salford 60-4 up.

Fenton Rogers scored from close range late on for Huddersfield but the day belonged to Salford. The Red Devils had that fire back in the belly and now sit fourth in the table with just four games left. Joe Shorrocks had played a different role in this match as more of a ball playing forward and this suited him down to the ground. Another master stroke from Paul Rowley maybe.

Salford face a tough looking trip to East Hull next Friday to face Hull Kingston Rovers who look the best and most ruthless team in the league right now. Another huge test but for this weekend Salford can rest after a job well done.

Salford 60 Huddersfield 10

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.