Round 6
Leeds Rhinos 20 d. Salford City Reds 12

2006 English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: English Super League

Leeds Rhinos
Danny McGuire [F8] 8 Pts; 2t
Scott Donald [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
Chev Walker [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
Kevin Sinfield [LK] 4 Pts; 2g

Salford City Reds
Simon Finnigan [LK] 4 Pts; 1t
David Hodgson [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
Junior Langi [WG] 4 Pts; 1t



Rhinos see off tough challenge from Salford
Sun March 19, 2006
Source: www.leedsrugby.com

Salford have never won at Headingley Carnegie in the Super League era and you had to go back as far as 1977, some 29 years ago, to find their last win in Leeds. However, they arrived in Yorkshire buoyed by their early season form that saw Karl Harrison's side just below the Rhinos in the table in fourth place only on points difference.

The early exchanges were befitting to such evenly matched teams. The Rhinos had the majority of possession but dropped passes at crucial times cost them points. Both teams defences were strong and pinned their opposition inside their half on most sets.

The Rhinos continued to squander chances on both sides of the field when the final pass would have set up a try however one player who was in outstanding form was Willie Poching, who revelled in his place in the starting line up.

Leeds were made to pay for their wasted possession after 19 minutes when Keith Senior knocked on after it appeared he had been held back and former Wigan man David Hodgson picked up and raced 80 metres to score. He could not convert his own try but the visitors still led 4-0.

Salford nearly doubled their lead after 26 minutes as they once again broke from deep but the final pass on half way to release Hodgson was forward and Leeds had a let off.

The Rhinos were faltering on attack but they got one last chance on the stroke of half time. Salford knocked the ball on on the second tackle and from the scrum, Danny McGuire arced across the defence before drawing the last man and passing basketball style to Scott Donald who sprinted in at the corner. Sinfield added a great touchline conversion from in front of the South Stand to make it 6-4 at half time.

The second half had followed the pattern of the first half with the Rhinos having the majority of possession but Salford looking dangerouns on the counter attack.

It took a great cover tackle by Smith to stop Robinson who looked to be going in for a certain try however Salford regained possession shortly afterwards and Junior Langi forced his way over near the touchline. Hodgson missed his conversion again to leave it 8-6 to Salford after 49 minutes.

The Rhinos though stuck back less than ten minutes later. Rob Burrow made the initial break and this time the pass stuck allowing Chev Walker to power up field and score in the corner from half way. Sinfield just missed with the conversion to leave it 10-8 to the home side. Lee Smith then had a try disallowed by the touch judge who ruled he put a foot out in the act of scoring.

The Rhinos were now beginning to turn the screw and when they were awarded a scrum 20 metres from the Salford line, Danny McGuire did a carbon copy of his run in the first half but finished it off himself this time, sprinting passed the line of Salford defenders. Sinfield again missed from the touchline to leave the game evenly balanced at 14-8 after 68 minutes.

Salford though were not done and Simon Finnegan struck with seven minutes remaining after two good breaks opened up the Leeds defence. However Hodgson missed the conversion to maintain the Rhinos slender lead.

Salford came right back looking to snatch something at the death however it was Danny McGuire who sealed the win with his second try of the game. It was similar to his first but on the South Stand side. The Salford defenders still had not learnt not to give McGuire time and space and he cut a line straight through them. Sinfield added the conversion to give the Rhinos a winning margin.

Report source: www.leedsrugby.com

Advanced Search