Reds fightback falls short

Webb: One of five Leeds tryscorers

Matt Parish's first home game in charge of Salford ended in a 30-22 defeat at the hands of Leeds on Friday night.

The Reds produced a strong challenge, though, coming back from 18-0 down to get within six points of their opponents in a tight Super League contest at The Willows.

However, the Rhinos were the more clinical side and, fresh from reaching the Challenge Cup semi-finals, Brian McDermott's men ran in five tries to Salford's four.

Ryan Hall, Ryan Bailey, Danny McGuire, Brent Webb and Lee Smith scored for the visitors while Kevin Sinfield, who became Leeds' record goalscorer last week, kicked five goals.

Salford's tries came from Luke Patten, Jodie Broughton, Vinnie Anderson and Lee Jewitt, with three goals from Dan Holdsworth.

The hosts started in sprightly fashion, forcing a goal line drop-out in the opening minutes and threatening to break through when Ray Cashmere spilled a Holdsworth pass.

Stefan Ratchford, who this week signed a contract with Warrington for next season, then almost got his hands to a Holdsworth kick.

The Reds were still on the front foot, though, when Leeds broke from deep to open the scoring.

Ratchford's high kick to the corner was palmed down by Broughton. However, it was then gathered by Kallum Watkins, who counter-attacked.

Superb

The fit-again Rhinos centre raced to halfway to release Danny Buderus and his superb long pass found Hall - the winger then having an easy run to the line.

The Rhinos were further ahead just three minutes later when Jamie Peacock burst through the centre, with the ball then spread out towards Bailey, who crossed for his first try in four years.

Salford tried to fight back but a promising counter came to nought when Ratchford was intercepted close to the Rhinos line and Sinfield broke 50 metres.

And Leeds extended their lead still further four minutes before the break after Salford's Chris Nero lost possession.

A grateful Carl Ablett found space down the left and then passed inside for the supporting McGuire to race over.

Salford finally scored early in the second half as Patten and Vinnie Anderson exchanged quick passes before the full-back dived over.

Holdsworth converted but any hopes of a fightback were quickly extinguished when Rob Burrow broke up the middle and released Webb to score.

Even so, Sinfield then managed to boot what looked a relatively straightforward conversion against the upright.

Salford were down but not yet out and pieced together another good attack to set up Broughton, who touched down on the left.

Tight

Indeed, a tight finish appeared in the offing with 14 minutes to go when Ratchford picked out Anderson with a well-flighted kick to the corner to score a third Reds try.

Just six points separated the sides by this time and Leeds' hearts may have been in their mouths when Anderson burst through the line again.

However, he was pulled back for an infringement and Sinfield then eased any fears his side might have had by kicking a penalty.

The Rhinos finished the job in the closing minutes as they worked the ball wide for Smith to touch down.

Sinfield landed a superb touchline conversion but Salford at least had the final say when Jewitt went under the posts and Holdsworth converted.