Optimism was definitely in the air as the two sides warmed up prior to kick off at the Salford Community stadium. Visitors Leeds were smarting after an opening day defeat at home to Wakefield. Meanwhile Salford had new owners and were looking to make a positive start after last week’s opening match defeat at St.Helens.

The Happy Mondays provided the pre-match entertainment and it was great to see Paul King bring the match ball on to the pitch to a standing ovation from the supporters. King had guided the club tirelessly through some very difficult and testing times. He’d also been at the helm through some moments we thought we could only dream of. In particular the Grand Final of 2019.

The Rhinos started with Jake Connor at full back, Matt Frawley and Brodie Croft were the half backs. Veteran Ryan Hall started on the wing with Andy Ackers at hooker.

Esan Marsters and Chris Hill started for Salford on their Super League debuts. Chris Atkin started at hooker and Joe Shorrocks slotted in at loose forward.

The weather was bright and quite mild compared to recent weeks with conditions perfectly set for an open match.

Salford got off to a flying start. Marc Sneyd’s pin point forty twenty kick in the game’s opening set gave the Red Devils the perfect opportunity to attack. Sneyd again was the architect providing a lovely short ball for captain Kallum Watkins to crash over.

Salford looked very sharp and when Ryan Brierley broke it looked like more points were coming. Young Leeds winger Riley Lumb pulled off a terrific tackle to halt the Salford fullback. 

The Rhinos began to enjoy plenty of possession with their pack taking the game to Salford which piled on plenty of pressure. A goal line drop out was forced by the visitors which Salford used their captains challenge to contest the decision. This was unsuccessful giving Leeds even more ball to attack. Connor produced a very neat kick for Lumb to touch down but his conversion missed the target. 6-4.

Morgan Gannon reached out to score a try that Salford will be disappointed to have conceded, a lapse in concentration at this level can make a huge difference.

The Rhinos now led 6-10 and were bossing the match with their pack dominance. 

Slick handling on the left edge brought their third try. The over lap was created as Lumb coasted over for his second try. The youngster was very impressive on and off the ball all afternoon. His slight frame and turn off pace made him a constant threat and at just the age of twenty he’s got a massive future ahead of him. 

Brodie Croft picked up a nasty looking head knock in a heavy collision involving Joe Shorrocks and Jack Ormondroyd. Croft was treated on the pitch for around fifteen minutes receiving oxygen before being stretched off. Shorrocks was sent to the sin bin  and Jake Connor converted the resulting penalty to give Leeds a ten point cushion at half time, 6-16.

The half back disruption didn’t seem to faze the Rhinos who had seen Matt Frawley leave the pitch in the first half. Leeds coach Brad Arthur shuffled his team round but Frawley did return to play a decisive part in the second half.

Salford began to take chances and forced the pass. Plenty of breaks were made but the clinical edge to finish them off was sadly lacking. The timing seemed off with the final play and pass. This saw quite a bit of frustration from the players. 

Leeds were tough and well drilled. They punished Salford with their fourth and fifth tries of the match when Ash Handley pounced on another mistake before James Bentley collected an interception. Looking at the replay of the Bentley try he looked well offside from marker at the play the ball.

Ryan Hall had the final say when he went over eight minutes from time for the Rhinos sixth try in a comprehensive victory.

Salford may have some mitigation in defeat but the hard work starts now and things don’t get any easier with a testing trip to Hull Kingston Rovers on Thursday night to look forward too. The Robins have won their first two matches and Craven park has been a bit of a graveyard for Salford in recent years. 

Salford 6 Leeds 32.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.