Leeds Rhinos 22 Salford Red Devils 16

It was round one delight for Leeds Rhinos as Rohan Smith’s side secured a 22-16 result against Salford Red Devils at AMT Headingley.

In a contest where both sides fought tooth and nail, Sam Lisone scored the match-winning try to give the Rhinos their perfect start to the new season. Flyer Ash Handley added two tries too in a great solo performance, whilst Rhyse Martin was on target with the boot.

The Rhinos handed full debuts to six of their off-season acquisitions, including Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers against their former club. Matt Frawley and Lachlan Miller also ran out in Super League as Leeds players for the first time as well as forward Mickael Goudemand. Rhinos fans were also treated to seeing Paul Momirovski for the first time on the field since the centre arrived from the NRL as he partnered birthday boy Ash Handley.

Salford centre Nene Macdonald faced his former club, having moved from Leeds to the Red Devils in the off-season. He was one of four names that made their debuts in Salford colours.

With the home crowd behind them, the Rhinos looked to start the game as the stronger side, but a Salford side fuelled by Macdonald tried to match the early energy.

The first opening came the way of Leeds when Brodie Croft fired a pass for Harry Newman, but the ball couldn’t stick in the centre’s hands and possession was handed over. A ball strip on Jack Ormondroyd by Cameron Smith soonafter offered the first points of the night to the Red Devils and Marc Sneyd obliged with a penalty goal.

Even though they got the early points, the Red Devils offered Leeds a way back after a move to the left edge saw a poor pass go wayward and over the sideline. With the field position close to their opponents try line, Leeds hammered at the Salford defence until a high shot on Brodie Croft by Ryan Brierley gave Rhyse Martin the chance to level, which he took.

With points under their belts, the Rhinos started to put more moves together and try to find gaps in the Salford line. Lachlan Miller showed great speed and footwork to almost break through, but unfortunately for the full back, his intended offload for Paul Momirovski went to ground. Again, the Red Devils retaliated as Cade Cust connected with Sneyd’s grubber kick close to score and build pressure on the home side.

In need of a try, Leeds looked to one of their own Ash Handley, who scored a brilliant try to open his account for the season. A fifth tackle kick pinned Luis Roberts back by his line but it was only for a moment as the ball was moved through hands at speed, releasing Handley into the backfield. With Momirovski in support and Salford duo Macdonald and Chris Hankinson chasing hard, nobody was going to stop the winger scoring. Martin added the conversion to level draw the sides level at 8-8 with 15 minutes left.

Against the run of play, the Red Devils managed to snatch the lead with half time looming off the back of an unfortunate error from Roberts. Having been good under the high ball all night, the youngster let Sneyd’s ball go loose and with a new set of six on their opponents line, Oli Partington benefited as he crashed over. Sneyd’s conversion made the score 14-8 at the break.

Like in their pre-season friendlies against Wakefield and Hull KR, the Rhinos came out hunting in the second half and quickly got their rewards with Handley’s second. With Newman pulling the strings in the build up, the speed of Andy Ackers and Matt Frawley caught the Red Devils out on the short side as Martin was allowed to stab a kick in behind for Handley and Momirovski to chase and Handley got to the ball first to ground it.

On his club debut, Momirovski’s sin binning for a high tackle shortly after Handley’s try put Leeds down a man and allowed Sneyd to tie up the game again with a penalty goal. Even though they were down to 12 men, the Rhinos’ spirit wasn’t dampened as they kept the visitors scoreless whilst Momirovski served his ten-minute suspension.

They got an extra boost too when Amir Bourouh was shown a yellow card too for repeated penalties on his own line. With a chance to tie the game up again, Martin held his nerve to slot the two points and set up a nervy final ten minutes.

Head coach Smith pulled out his weapons off the bench as Sam Lisone’s introduction caused mayhem for the Salford defence. The prop looked to break down the right as he angled towards the line from close range before finally making the breakthrough as he put his head down to power over the line.

The action wasn’t over as Salford had one final effort disallowed; a knock on by Macdonald ruling out a score for Brierley. The Rhinos held on though to give them their first round one win in three years.

Rhinos

1. Lachlan Miller, 24. Luis Roberts, 3. Harry Newman, 4. Paul Momirovski, 5. Ash Handley, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Andy Ackers, 25. James Donaldson, 18. Mickael Goudemand, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith (C).

Subs: 17. Justin Sangare, 15. Sam Lisone, 11. James Bentley, 14. Jarrod O’Connor.

(18^th Man: Alfie Edgell)

Tries: Handley (26, 50), Lisone (71)

Goals: Martin 5/5

Sin Bin: Paul Momirovski (58)

Red Devils

1. Ryan Brierley, 23. Chris Hankinson, 3. Nene Macdonald, 4. Tim Lafai, 5. Deon Cross, 6. Cade Cust, 7. Marc Sneyd, 17. Jack Ormondroyd, 9. Amir Bourouh, 8. Brad Singleton, 12. Kallum Watkins (C), 11. Sam Stone, 13. Oli Partington.

Subs: 14. Chris Atkin, 16. Joe Shorrocks, 15. Shane Wright, 18. Ben Hellewell.

(18^th Man: Nathan Connell)

Tries: Cust (21), Partington (31)

Goals: Sneyd 4/4

Sin Bin: Ryan Brierley (14), Amir Bourouh (64)

Referee: Aaron Moore

Half Time: 8-14