Williams treble topples Giants
Winger Danny Williams grabbed a hat-trick of tries to help Salford sink Huddersfield 24-18 at the Willows.
Last Updated: 19/08/11 10:43pm
Salford coach Matt Parish finally saw his side win for the first time since taking charge as his side saw off Huddersfield 24-18 at the Willows.
Winger Danny Williams grabbed a hat-trick of tries to help the City Reds keep alive their slim hopes of reaching the Super League play-offs - they will still need to win their last two games and hope for results of other fixtures to go their way if they are to make it into the top eight.
The result also avenges a 52-22 hammering suffered against the same opponents in the reverse fixture back in April.
The Giants have now lost five of their last six outings, though their cause wasn't helped by the absence of Danny Brough and Luke O'Donnell.
Dreadful start
They suffered the worst possible start on their travels when Salford skipper Daniel Holdsworth crashed over to break the deadlock after just two minutes.
The try-scorer also knocked over the conversion to make it 6-0, though the Reds had a let-off when their former player David Hodgson had a try disallowed by referee James Child due to a forward pass from Kevin Brown.
Huddersfield had better fortune midway through the opening half when Jermaine McGillvary scored his 14th try of the season, the winger getting on the end of a kick by Scott Grix, who also landed the touchline conversion.
However Salford regained the lead almost immediately with Williams taking Holdsworth's pass before cutting inside Hodgson to score.
This time the lead lasted for just eight minutes, though, as the Giants levelled matters when Lee Gilmour finished off a fine break by Brown.
Huddersfield then went in front for the first time six minutes before the break with David Fa'alogo charging onto Luke Robinson's pass.
Ailing Giants
Grix slotted over his third conversion, making it 18-12. That, though, would be the last moment of joy for the ailing Giants, who could now drop out of the top four if Catalan Dragons beat Warrington on home soil on Saturday.
They lost McGillvary to injury shortly before Adam Neal's burst created the chance for Williams to take Sean Gleeson's pass for his second try.
Although the conversion was missed, Salford hit the front 13 minutes from time with Williams taking Luke Patten's pass to complete his treble.
Holdsworth added the extras before sealing a deserved victory for the hosts with a last-gasp penalty, meaning the City Reds remain alive and kicking in the race to qualify for the play-offs.
