Rhinos clinch Reds win

Defending champions Leeds recaptured their Super League winning ways with an unconvincing 22-10 victory over Salford.

Centre Keith Senior posted two tries to give Rhinos the edge over a battling Salford side, who fell to the basement of the standings after a third defeat in three games.

Leeds' triumph was tainted by a severe injury blow ahead of their Gillette World Club Challenge clash against Australian champions Melbourne Storm next Sunday, with winger Scott Donald picking up a shoulder injury.

Rhinos, no doubt haunted by thoughts of their shock back-to-back defeats to Castleford and Wakefield, made the perfect start with an eighth-minute try from Senior, helped by a superb Jamie Jones-Buchanan offload.

Kevin Sinfield added the extras to make it 6-0 but Rhinos failed to keep up the pace as Salford embarked on their fightback.

Resistance

Despite plenty of possession, the home side were met with solid resistance from the Reds and things really went downhill for Rhinos as Ashley Gibson fended off full-back Brent Webb and secured his first try for the club.

Stefan Ratchford failed to add the conversion but Salford were firmly back in contention with Rhinos leading just 6-4.

Leeds managed to redeem themselves by taking advantage of a series of handling errors from the visitors early in the second half.

Scrum-half Rob Burrow hoisted a high kick on the last tackle and Webb claimed the ball to bring it down for Rhinos' second try.

Sinfield converted again to make it 12-4 but Willie Talau replied for Salford on the hour with a second try for the Reds, with Ratchford's goal cutting the deficit to just two points.

Senior spared Rhinos a humiliating loss with his second try in the 67th minute and Ian Kirke grabbed another in injury time to wrap up the uninspiring win for Rhinos.