After a very exciting week building up to the match and a scramble for tickets the atmosphere prior to kick off was absolutely electric. 

The Leigh supporters packed the away end and were in very good voice. Salford were on course for a record crowd at the stadium and it was a magnificent site.

You could sense the importance of the fixture as the two sides warmed up.

Salford coach Paul Rowley started Chris Hankinson at fullback with Ryan Brierley on the bench. Gil Dudson was in the front row with Brad Singleton. Shane Wright, Loghan Lewis and Joe Shorrocks were also on the bench. Sam Stone returned in the second row with Joe Mellor expected to do big minutes again at hooker.

Leopards boss Adrian Lam started Matt Moylan at fullback. Gareth O’Brien partnered Lachlan Lam in the halves with the very capable John Asiata at loose forward. Edwin Ipape was the starting hooker and Brad Dwyer would be the interchange working off the bench.

The match started in frantic fashion with Leigh piling on the pressure but Salford’s defence looked very solid. The intensity levels seemed to have gone through the roof with both sides limiting each other’s progress with the ball due to the ferociousness of the tackling. 

Salford went hunting the mistake and a Leigh mistake on the last tackle provided an attacking opportunity. The Red Devils forced a repeat set but didn’t seem sharp enough to puncture a very organised Leopards defence. 

Hankinson constantly came under pressure from Leigh’s attacking kicks and the Salford fullback dealt with everything thrown at him. He looked so solid and returned the ball with real power and purpose. The match remained scoreless as the first twenty five minutes whizzed by. Moments later Marc Sneyd converted a penalty goal to give Salford a deserved lead. 

As the half time hooter approached the Red Devils pack looked to be on top. The Leopards were forced back by tenacious defending that had the home supporters roaring with excitement. However they couldn’t get over for a try and as the two sides trotted of at the break their was nothing between. A breathless first half ended 2-0.

Leigh started the second half in similar fashion to the first. Forcing drop outs and testing Salford’s resolve. Defence’s were that tight that breaks and chances were few and far between. Nene Macdonald smashed his way through the right edge before referee Jack Smith pulled Salford up for a knock on. This seemed a big turning point. On the next set Leigh fizzed the ball out left and Josh Charnley finished a try in sensational fashion. Moylan pulled the conversion, 2-4.

The Leopards began to spot gaps and they didn’t need an invitation to take advantage. They were quick around the ruck and put Salford firmly on the back foot. Ipape broke clear with O’Brien in support to race over to score. Moylan converted to give Leigh a 2-10 lead.

With fifteen minutes remaining Charnley picked up a nasty looking injury. He was receiving treatment for a good few minutes before being stretchered off. Salford seemed to clock off after the injury lay-off and were caught cold on the next play. Ipape went over to extend the lead with Leigh’s third try. Moylan failed to convert and this offered Salford a glimmer of hope being two converted scores behind.

Jayden Nikorima was took off the ball by Jack Hughes and the Leopards forward was sent to the sin bin with just four minutes remaining. The man advantage counted with Ethan Ryan scoring in the corner. Sneyd needed the conversion to put Salford six behind with minutes to spare. He dragged it wide to the relief of the away supporters who now knew the game was safe.

It was a disappointing way to end the season for Salford but credit to Leigh who were the much better side in the second half. It’s been a terrific season of progress both on and off the field for Salford and the club must now take this in to 2025 and build on it. 

Salford 6 Leigh 14.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.