Salford Red Devils Solidify Super League Play-off Grip with Hard-Fought Win over Leeds Rhinos
Salford Red Devils strengthened their position in the Super League play-off race with a well-deserved 22-16 victory over Leeds Rhinos at the Salford Community Stadium on Saturday evening.
Despite the loss of key players in the off-season, Salford, led by head coach Paul Rowley, have continued to defy expectations and now sit fourth in the table, just four points behind third-placed Warrington Wolves and two points ahead of St Helens and Catalans Dragons.
The shrewd signing of half-back Joe Mellor from Leigh has proven to be a masterstroke for the Red Devils, as the 33-year-old has added creativity and spark to their attack. Newcomer Jayden Nikorima, released by Catalans Dragons, has also made a positive impact since joining Salford, with his lively display against the Rhinos showcasing his potential.
While Leeds led 16-10 at halftime, there were signs of improvement from Brad Arthur’s side, particularly in the first half when they caused Salford problems with their attacking threat. However, the Rhinos’ consistency issues resurfaced in the second half, as the home side took control and sealed a hard-fought victory.
Leeds’ Hopes Still Alive, but Challenging Run-in Ahead
Leeds’ hopes of making the play-offs are still alive, but they face a challenging run-in, with fixtures against leaders Hull KR and reigning champions Wigan Warriors on the horizon. Meanwhile, Salford duo Tim Lafai and Joe Shorrocks celebrated their milestone matches with the hard-earned win, as Lafai made his 250th career appearance and Shorrocks played his 100th game.
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