Once again Salford’s seventeen had plenty of changes from last week as well as a few new faces. The press reported more players moving on in the week and this led to speculation on the terraces between the supporters. The Salford faithful have been very patient so far in 2025 after being promised plenty by the new regime. Week after week they watch on helplessly as the club seems to get torn apart.

Ryan Brierley dropped out with a hamstring problem so Chris Atkin moved to full back. 

Josh Wagstaffe moved on to the wing with Billy Glover on the opposite flank. Joe Mellor was captain and he started at hooker with Sam Davis and Jamie Pye on the bench.

With all the turmoil surrounding the club Salford started the match as rank outsiders with the bookmakers predicting a thumping. The Red Devils completely ignored that scrip from the kick off with a very industrious first half performance full of heart and endeavour. The Salford supporters got right behind the lads and they could see yes there was a lack of quality at times but the determination and desire to work for each other was admirable. 

Jack Ormondroyd played all but five minutes of the first half in a lung busting display. He ran hard and tackled everything he could. 

Jonny Vaughan played with a maturity well beyond his years. His defence was outstanding at times and he made the tackle of the half chopping down Ryan Hall with a text book hit! Vaughan is a credit to his parent club St.Helens and the lads first class attitude is one that other senior players would do well to follow. 

Kai Morgan work hard in the halves with Jayden Nikorima but chances were few and far between for the home side. 

The only points of the first half went to Leeds when Jake Connor ran direct and found a nice off load to James McDonnell who got the try. 

Shane Wright was involved in a heavy collision and left the field for a HIA but the good news was he passed it and returned soon after. 

The Rhinos battered the Salford line as the match approached half time but the Devils held firm with the home supporters roaring them on! Leeds received a rather dubious penalty right on the hooter and kicked for goal to go in leading 0-6 at the break.

Any hope Salford had was put to bed in the first five minutes of the second half. McDonnell scored both to make it a hat-trick to give the visitors a match winning 0-16 lead. 

Mikolaj Oledzki was very lucky not to receive a red card for a very reckless shoulder charge. After last season where contact with the head was frowned upon it seems in 2025 mitigation is the key word referee’s like to use. 

Lachie Miller scored a try before second row man McDonnell grabbed his fourth. 

Salford have now failed to score a point in four of their seven league matches this season but as I said before the effort and commitment under unprecedented circumstances is all the supporters really care about. 

I think most Salford supporters just want some reassurance that they will have a team to support for future generations. Our club has over 150 years of history and tradition that needs protecting. It’s looking like more players could be leaving the club in the week leading up to Easter. 

Salford 0 Leeds 28.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos!