In what was described as a gritty Round 18 Super League clash, Huddersfield Giants triumphed over Salford Red Devils with a 16-8 scoreline at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The match began in Salford’s favor, with Joe Mellor crossing the line to score the opening try, marking his 100th career try. Marc Sneyd successfully converted, giving the Red Devils an early 6-0 lead. Despite the lead, Huddersfield applied consistent pressure, resulting in a successful penalty kick by Olly Russell to put the Giants on the scoreboard, closing the gap to 6-2.
Huddersfield’s Sam Halsall then capitalized on a defensive error to score their first try, and although Russell missed the conversion, the Giants were back in the contest with the score level at 6-6. The first half concluded with both teams in a deadlock, setting the stage for a competitive second half.
Early in the second half, Salford edged ahead with a penalty goal by Sneyd, making it 8-6. However, the game took a turn when Brad Singleton of Salford was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle, leaving the Red Devils a man down. Huddersfield seized this opportunity, with Adam Milner scoring a decisive try and Russell converting to push the Giants ahead 12-8.
In the final minutes, Huddersfield’s Kevin Naiqama sealed the victory with a try in the corner, and though the conversion was missed, the 16-8 scoreline was enough to secure the win. Despite Salford’s efforts, the Red Devils were unable to recover, and Huddersfield emerged victorious.
Salford’s head coach, Paul Rowley, acknowledged the team’s defensive resilience but emphasized the need for greater discipline and execution in critical moments. This loss places Salford in a challenging position as they aim to secure a playoff spot, while Huddersfield gains crucial momentum moving forward in the season.
Interchanges: Chris Atkin, Gil Dudson, Harvey Wilson, Joe Bullock.
Tries: Joe Mellor.
Conversions: Marc Sneyd (2/2)
Interchanges: Ashton Golding, Oliver Russell, Hugo Salabio, Fenton Rodgers.
Tries: Sam Halsall, Adam Milner.
Conversions: Jake Connor (4/5)
