Jamie Peacock scores twice as Leeds Rhinos win at Salford
Last Updated: 12/04/15 3:29pm
Jamie Peacock’s first-half brace helped Leeds Rhinos to a 28-18 victory over Salford Red Devils at the AJ Bell Stadium.
The 37-year-old prop had not scored a try for almost 12 months but went over twice in 10 minutes as the Rhinos recorded their 20th successive away victory against Salford.
The depleted Red Devils turned in a battling show with full-back Niall Evalds following up his two-try show against Wigan with another brace and Lama Tasi also touching down.
Peacock crossed for his side's first two tries before Ash Handley, the outstanding Rob Burrow and Zak Hardaker went in to seal a hard-fought win in difficult conditions.
Salford, already without the suspended Rangi Chase and Weller Hauraki, were shorn of another six regulars, and they were under pressure from the start when Kevin Sinfield used the strong wind to his advantage, with his kick-off blowing back to give the visitors possession.
However, Leeds did not break the deadlock until the 22nd minute, Peacock charging over from close range after Salford conceded back-to-back penalties.
Sinfield added the extras but Salford hit back immediately as Fages' side-stepping run sent Tasi over.
The Red Devils moved in front four minutes later when Evalds shot through the Leeds defence - Michael Dobson converted both tries - but Peacock struck again to level at 12-12 after being the quickest to react to Danny McGuire's grubber kick.
Salford thought they had regained the advantage four minutes before the break when Hardaker failed to gather Dobson's towering kick in the gale and Scott Taylor collected the ball to race over.
But referee Matt Thomason ruled Taylor was offside before he was forced to hold up play when an advertising hoarding blew onto the pitch.
The wind then came to the Rhinos' aid with kicks by Liam Sutcliffe and Stevie Ward held back by the conditions for Handley to cross in the corner and make it 16-12 at half-time.
Leeds gave themselves some breathing space early in the second half with Joel Moon slipping two tackles against his old club for the supporting Burrow to scamper over.
Salford refused to concede defeat, though, and cut the gap back to four points on 57 minutes when Evalds out jumped Handley for his second try from a well-judged Dobson kick.
But the home side's elation was short lived when Burrow's burst set up the chance for Hardaker to scythe past Tasi and wrap up a fifth successive victory.
