MATCH REPORT

Salford City Reds 18-19 Leeds Rhinos

The Wilows

Friday 16 June 2006 - 8pm

Super League XI - Round 17

Salford (10) 18	Leeds (6) 19
Tries: Hodgson, Coley	Poching, Walker, McGuire
Goals: Hodgson 5	Sinfield 3
Drop Goals:	McGuire
Attend: 4,517

Danny McGuire rescued Leeds as the Rhinos snatched a last-gasp win against a fierce Salford side.

The engage Super League's second-placed side had trailed 18-12 until McGuire levelled the scores and then snatched victory with a late drop goal.

David Hodgson had put Salford, who rediscovered all their early-season ferocity, in command with a superb 14-point display in a compelling encounter.

It was Salford's third loss to the Rhinos this season and their seventh defeat in nine games but they took most of the plaudits from a game they controlled for most of the 80 minutes.

Leeds put the hosts under plenty of early pressure and Lee Smith was stopped inches short but Salford weathered the storm and took an eighth-minute lead through Andy Coley.

The prop raced through by the posts from a smart Luke Robinson pass to offer Hodgson a simple conversion.

The Rhinos response was swift with stand-off McGuire creating a try for Chev Walker from nothing.

McGuire, restored to the side after being rested last week, evaded a challenge on halfway and left the defence trailing before putting Bath-bound centre Walker over.

With Kevin Sinfield adding the extras and McGuire setting up another quick attack, the Rhinos looked to take charge but Salford hit back again.

Hodgson had a try in the corner disallowed for crossing but the winger did land two penalties to put his side into a 10-6 half-time lead.

It could have been worse for the Rhinos at the interval but for some fierce tackling which held Reds full-back Karl Fitzpatrick up over the line.

Aaron Moule also went close to a second Salford try after the break but, not surprisingly, Leeds lifted the tempo with Willie Poching powering through to score.

Sinfield converted to edge the visitors ahead for the first time but their lead did not last long as Hodgson levelled up again with another penalty.

Salford were clearly up for the challenge and after Simon Finnigan was denied by a fierce Walker hit, they spread the ball wide for Hodgson to dive over by the flag.

He then landed a brilliant touchline conversion to give Salford an 18-12 advantage but once again McGuire came to Leeds' rescue.

The prolific spotted another gap as the Rhinos attacked and darted through from 20 metres for a try Sinfield improved to level again.

Both sides had chances to exert pressure as they chased a late winner but the Reds defence stood firm and Leeds had a let-off when Andrew Dunemann knocked on.

As time ticked away a draw looked likely but McGuire completed his late salvage act with the winning drop goal in the 79th minute.

 

"It feels like we have been mugged. I am sick to death of it. "Tough calls cost us. The last-minute yardage penalty was no more than any other tackle in the game and we had a perfectly good try disallowed." - Karl Harrison

Leeds coach Tony Smith suggested Salford were bad losers after his side snatched a last-gasp engage Super League win at The Willows.

Danny McGuire slotted a last-minute drop goal as Leeds completed a fightback from 18-12 down to win 19-18 and move within two points of leaders St Helens.

David Hodgson had put Salford in command with a superb 14-point display but Reds coach Karl Harrison claimed the winger had also had a legitimate try disallowed.

Harrison said: "It feels like we have been mugged. I am sick to death of it.

"Tough calls cost us. The last-minute yardage penalty was no more than any other tackle in the game and we had a perfectly good try disallowed.

"I am sick of my players being done because we are Salford. This is the first time I have moaned all year."

Smith reacted with dismay to Harrison's comments, claiming the Rhinos have not been given due credit by the Reds this season despite beating them three times.

Smith said: "We played over 80 minutes and scored three tries to two. We got one field goal and it still adds up to a win.

"Each time we come here we give credit to the opposition and not much comes back the other way.

"Unfortunately that is the way it seems to be. We can handle defeat with dignity and it is about time some other teams did.

"Last time we were here we deserved victory but all we heard about was disallowed tries. It is the same again."

Salford deserved better than to come away from the game with nothing after holding the upper hand for most of the game.

Andy Coley opened the scoring for the them in the eighth minute but Leeds were never out of contention with Chev Walker replying and Willie Poching adding another after Hodgson had scored.

Smith added: "It was close in the end and they are always good games to win."

Salford: Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, Littler, Moule, Langi, Dunemann, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Rutgerson, Brocklehurst, Sibbit, Finnigan.
Replacements: Myler, Charles, Highton, Haggerty.

Leeds: Smith, Donald, Walker, Senior, Williams, McGuire, Burrow, Jones-Buchanan, Diskin, Feather, Peacock, Ellis, Sinfield.
Replacements: Millard, Lauitiiti, Bailey, Poching.

Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield)