MATCH REPORT | Salford Red Devils | Round 11

May 11, 2024

MATCH REPORT | Salford Red Devils | Round 11

Betfred Super League Round 11, Friday 10 May 2024, Leopards Den (8:05pm)

Leigh Leopards 40-12 Salford Red Devils

Leopards produced their best attacking display of the season to run in seven tries against the Red Devils, so often their bogey side in Super League, wingers Josh Charnley and Umyla Hanley each scoring fine braces.

Charnley’s second try early in the second half was the 300th of his stellar career and, having just extended his contract, with the promise of many more to come.

It was a spectacular way to reach the milestone, a fantastic run from inside his own half and finishing clinically in front of the North Stand.

But Charnley was edged out for player of the match award by Lachlan Lam, who was at his dominant, creative best. Brad Dwyer, Matt Moylan, Owen Trout and Matty Davis were among the other stand outs in a fantastic team display.

For the first time since Round 1 Tom Amone, Edwin Ipape and Robbie Mulhern all started in the front row, and what a difference that made. They laid the foundations for the win with the ruck speed in that first quarter which Salford struggled to contain.

Salford had won nine of the 12 previous Super League meetings between the two teams, including both visits to Leigh last season, but rarely looked like extending that sequence as on this occasion they were second best.

Leopards made a superb start, signaling their intent as Brad Singleton lost possession in a three man tackle out of yardage. In the follow up Moylan picked up the ball in broken play and brilliantly found Hanley, who juggled with the ball and shot through a huge gap for a converted try.

The second score, and Charnley’s 299th career try, was created by Lam’s superbly crafted kick to the left corner. Charnley’s determination and opportunism saw him beat Deon Cross to the vital touch with his left hand, confirmed by video referee Ben Thaler. Moylan converted from the touchline.

Salford’s offloading game always looked dangerous, but they got few opportunities in good ball until Chris Atkin and Kallum Watkins created an opening for the predatory Ryan Brierley in front of the North Stand. Marc Sneyd converted to cut the deficit to six.

Nene Macdonald had a try ruled out for obstruction but otherwise Leopards defended without great alarm as Salford got more into the game as an attacking force. Leopards then extended their lead with Lam again the architect.

After Brierley was forced to concede a goal-line drop-out following Davis’s dribble, Leopards scored in the follow up. It came from outstanding play by Lam whose vision and deft handling created the chance for Hanley to make a sliding finish in the right corner. Lam’s cut-out pass made at pace over the Salford defence was skill of the highest order.

Moylan couldn’t convert this time and was also off-target with a 40-metre penalty attempt in the dying seconds of a frenetic first half where the pace rarely slackened in the warmth of a lovely Spring evening.

The first try of the second half was always crucial to the outcome and it came the Leopards’ way, setting the tone for a dominant 40 minutes by the home side.

What a way for Charnley to mark his 300th career try, seizing on a loose ball inside his own half and haring off down the left wing towards the North Stand.

As Brierley came across in the attempted cover tackle Charnley joyously planted the ball over the line by the corner flag, the video referee confirming Liam Moore’s on field decision of try.

Zak Haraker took over the kicking, landing the first of four second half goals.

Leopards kept up the momentum, adding another try in quick succession, Moylan and Lam cleverly switched the point of attack. Lam’s grubber kick was perfectly placed for Kai O’Donnell to send the supporting Davis joyously over.

Salford were penned back, rarely able to mount a concerted attack and Dwyer was having a field day on the back of some great go-forward by the pack. Spying his chance from dummy half, he exploded off the mark and shrugged off the cover on an angled run to the posts.

Leopards’ final try was a length of field effort, created by Moylan somehow making 40 metres up field after collecting the ball by his own posts. As the set continued Dwyer turned creator, Lam marking his player of the match award with his side’s seventh try.

Charnley thought his momentous evening had got even better when he crashed over in the corner but this time the video referee ruled he’d been tackled into touch.

Salford’s fans never stopped singing, adding to the fantastic atmosphere at the Den and got a late consolation. Their team scored the final try, after a determined run by Tim Lafai down the left, a reminder of just what an attacking threat they carry, if given the opportunity.

Leopards

6 Matt Moylan; 24 Umyla Hanley, 3 Zak Hardaker, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Josh Charnley; 21 Ben McNamara, 7 Lachlan Lam; 8 Tom Amone, 9 Edwin Ipape, 10 Robbie Mulhern, 11 Kai O’Donnell, 16 Frankie Halton, 17 Owen Trout

Bench:

33 Brad Dwyer, 15 Matt Davis, 12 Jack Hughes, 19 Ed Chamberlain. 18th player: 34 Darnell McIntosh

Tries: Hanley (6, 34), Charnley (17, 43), Davis (48), Dwyer (58), Lam (67)

Goals: Moylan 2/ 4, Hardaker 4/ 4

Red Devils

1 Ryan Brierley; 2 Ethan Ryan, 3 Nene Macdonald, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Deon Cross; 14 Chris Atkin, 7 Marc Sneyd; 8 Brad Singleton, 6 Cade Cust, 17 Jack Ormondroyd, 11 Sam Stone, 12 Kallum Watkins (capt), 13 Oliver Partington

Bench:

9 Amir Bourouh, 10 King Vuniyayawa, 18 Ben Hellewell, 23 Chris Hankinson. 18th player: 22 Kai Morgan

Tries: Brierley (19), Lafai (74)

Goals: Sneyd 2/ 2

Referee: Liam Moore; Touch-judges: J Roberts & M Craven; MC: A Mills; Reserve referee: A Billington; VR: Ben Thaler; Timekeeper: Keith Leyland

Scoring sequence 6-0, 12-0, 12-6, 16-6 (ht) 22-6, 28-6, 34-6, 40-6, 40-12:

Attendance: 8,103

Penalty count: 6-3

Main Match Sponsor: 3D 360; Player of the Match Sponsor: Corptel (awarded to Lachlan Lam); Match Ball Sponsor: Bridge & Geoff Together Aways- Geoff Perkins; Champagne Moment sponsor: LGH Plumbing (awarded to Josh Charnley); Official Kit Partner: Patrick

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