League Leaders Salford Red Devils Stun St Helens in Thrilling Victory
In a captivating Super League clash, the Salford Red Devils clinched a hard-fought 20-18 victory over reigning champions St Helens earlier today. This landmark win completed the double over the Red Vee for the first time since 1980, showcasing Salford’s formidable performance on the pitch.
The match was not without its controversies, as the Red Devils had a try disallowed in the first half, much to the bewilderment of their head coach Paul Rowley, who admitted to being unaware of the specific rules governing the incident. A brace from Deon Cross in the opening period, followed by second-half scores from Kallum Watkins and Chris Hankinson, sealed the deal for the home side against Paul Wellens’ St Helens.
Instrumental in Salford’s Success
Instrumental in Salford’s success was the orchestration of Marc Sneyd, whose assist for Cross’ second try was a masterclass in skill and deception. Sneyd’s attempt to “con” the referee by deliberately missing a penalty kick, only to set up Chris Atkin for a disallowed try, further highlighted the team’s tactical ingenuity, even if Rowley was uncertain of the legality of the move.
“I didn’t know the rule so I need to brush up on the rule books,” Rowley acknowledged in his post-match interview with BBC Manchester. “I think you’ve got to prove that he’s not gone for goal for a start. So we’ll have a look at that, but it’s always good to learn, isn’t it?”
Despite the disallowed try, Salford’s resilience shone through, and Hankinson’s late score, converted by Sneyd, secured a vital victory that propels the Red Devils into fourth place in the rugby league standings. They now sit just two points behind league leaders St Helens, setting the stage for an intriguing battle in the weeks ahead.
This captivating rugby league clash showcased the skill, tactics, and determination of both sides, with Salford’s triumph a testament to their growing prowess in the Super League competition.
đź”— Source
