Salford Red Devils Cement Play-off Position with Gritty Victory over Leeds Rhinos
Salford, England (BBC Rugby League) – In a hard-fought matchup on Saturday evening, the Salford Red Devils solidified their position in the Super League play-offs with a well-deserved 22-16 triumph over the Leeds Rhinos at the Salford Community Stadium.
Given the off-season losses of key personnel, few had tipped the Red Devils to make the play-offs this year. However, coach Paul Rowley has once again got the best out of his squad, as they continue to defy the odds. The victory sees Salford sit firmly in fourth place, four points behind third-placed Warrington and two points above St Helens and Catalans Dragons.
One of the shrewdest signings for the Red Devils this season has been Joe Mellor. Though he may not grab the headlines like some of his high-profile teammates, the 33-year-old has provided a vital spark to Salford’s attack off the bench. With his smart rugby brain, Mellor has proven to be a masterstroke acquisition.
Another newcomer making an impact is Jayden Nikorima, who was recently released by the Catalans Dragons. The 27-year-old, who represented the Maori All Stars in 2022, has quickly settled in and already showcased his positive influence on the team, including setting up Mellor’s try against the Rhinos.
While the result didn’t go their way, there were some positive signs for the Leeds Rhinos in the first half, with their attacking threat through players like Paul Momirovski and Brodie Croft. However, consistency remains an issue, as the Rhinos were unable to maintain that level of performance throughout the full 80 minutes.
“Leeds now face a daunting run-in, with fixtures against the likes of Wigan, Warrington, and Hull KR still to come. Sitting in seventh, four points behind St Helens and Catalans, the Rhinos have a mountain to climb if they are to secure a play-off spot.”
Salford’s victory was also a milestone occasion for duo Tim Lafai and Joe Shorrocks, who celebrated their 250th and 100th career appearances, respectively, for the club.
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