Round 10
Salford City Reds 18 l. Leeds Rhinos 24

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

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

Rhinos earn hard fought win
Tue April 18, 2006
Source: www.leedsrugby.com

Leeds Rhinos recorded a hard earned 24-18 win over Salford at the Willows in a great contest. The Rhinos went into this game looking to get back on track after the last gasp defeat to Bradford at the start of Easter. However, Salford went into the game full of confidence riding high in third place in the Super League table, only below the Rhinos on points difference.

The opening exchanges of the game were almost a carbon copy of the earlier meeting between the sides at Headingley Carnegie. Both teams were very evenly matched looking to ask questions of each others defence. Richard Mathers was prominent for the Rhinos early on whilst big forward Andy Coley was the Reds most dominant player.

The Rhinos did eventually get the first try of the game but there was a touch of good fortune when it appeared that Jamie Peacock had knocked on in the build up to the try. However, Karl Kirkpatrick signalled the ball had gone backwards and good work saw the ball fed outwide and Gareth Ellis showed immense strength to hold off three tacklers and stretch for the line one handed to score. Burrow could not add the conversion from the touchline but the Rhinos led 4-0 after 10 minutes.

Salford were undaunted though after falling behind but continued to try and build pressure. However, they were handed a gift of possession when Kirkpatrick penalised Keith Senior in possession for moving off the mark at the ball the play. Dunemann kicked the penalty into touch ten metres out and four tackles later Simon Finnegan crashed over next to the posts. Wilshere added the conversion to give the City Reds a 6-4 lead after 20 minutes.

The Rhinos had a let off after 28 minutes when Wilshere missed an easy penalty chance from in front of the posts after Ali Lautiiti had been penalised for not being straight at marker. Leeds had to withstand an incredible barrage from the home side as they had three sets of six on the own line after firstly Donald was penalised for not being square at marker then Danny Williams knocked on on the second tackle in the next set. The Rhinos made the most of the let off by grabbing the lead after 35 minutes. McGuire fed Senior who drew in two defenders before passing to Williams who tip toed down the touchline before passing back inside to Jamie Jones-Buchanan to score under the posts. Burrow added the conversion to make it 10-6 to the visitors at half time.

The Rhinos came out fired up at the start of the second half looking to kill of the challenge from Karl Harrison's side. Richard Mathers crossed for the Rhinos after 48 minutes after good work by Millard and McGuire to create the space. Burrow pushed his conversion wide to leave it at 14-6.

Seven minutes later the Rhinos were in again with a spectacular try. Danny Williams blocked a kick through and collected the loose ball before showing great presence of mind for a young player to put the ball back inside to Danny McGuire who raced 80 metres to score under the posts. Burrow added the conversion to make it 20-6.

Despite having the lead the Rhinos were falling foul of the referee and were on the wrong end of 10-3 penalty count with five consecutive penalties for the City Reds at the start of the second half. Eventually that pressure told and it was Finnegan again who crashed over next the posts after 58 minutes. Wilshere added the conversion to make it 20-12 to the Rhinos.

Having gone into the game with four forwards on the bench the Rhinos could not afford to lose any of the backs however Danny McGuire limped off with an ankle injury after his score. That meant that Richard Mathers found himself at the half backs and he created the next try with a cut out pass to Williams passed Senior. The ball though dipped short on Williams however he again showed great maturity to chip the ball up into his hands and touched down in the same movement. Burrow missed the touchline conversion but the Rhinos led 24-12 after 63 minutes.

Ryan Bailey then found himself in the sin bin with three minutes remaining for deliberately holding back Littler as he tried to take a quick tap re-start. And the Rhinos conceded on the next set when Salford spread the ball wide and John Wilshere touched down in the corner. He then converted his try to set up a nailbiting finish.

Salford threw everything at the Rhinos in the closing stages but Richard Mathers bravely caught a chip kick under pressure to seal the win for the Rhinos.

Report source: www.leedsrugby.com

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