Leeds rout Devils
LEEDS RHINOS turned on the style against Salford to leapfrog them into second place in the Betfred Super League with a clinical 50-24 victory at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Winger Tom Briscoe scored two of the Rhinos’ nine tries, seven of which came in the first half as the visitors established an unassailable 36-6 lead and comfortably withstood a second-half fightback from the Red Devils to secure a 14th win of the season.
Salford, who are now two points behind the Rhinos and remain 10 adrift of leaders Castleford.
The only disappointment for the Rhinos was the loss of England centre Kallum Watkins through concussion which makes him a major doubt for Friday’s home game against fourth-placed Hull, a rehearsal for the Challenge Cup semi-final at the end of the month.
Watkins was laid out 29 minutes into the game by a high tackle from Salford centre Junior Sa’u, who was sin-binned on his 100th appearance for the club.
Leeds, boosted by the return of skipper Danny McGuire and evergreen forward Jamie JonesBuchanan from suspension, took full advantage of the extra man, running in three tries while Sa’u watched on from the sidelines.
Joel Moon stretched the lead further, Jamie Jones-Buchanan carved open the home defence to go over and Briscoe’s eighth try of the season ensured a 36-6 interval lead.
The excellent Ben MurdochMasila’s powerful second-half double gave the Red Devils some hope and Michael Dobson also went over.
But Anthony Mullally settled any nerves and teenage full-back Jack Walker’s last-gasp try ensured a 50-point haul. Toronto Wolfpack ........... 14 Barrow ................................. 14 Whitehaven ........................ 14 York ....................................... 14 Newcastle .......................... 14 Doncaster .......................... 14 Workington ........................ 14 Keighley .............................. 14 North Wales Crusaders 14 Hunslet ................................ 14 Gloucestershire AG ....... 14 London Skolars ................ 14 Oxford .................................. 14 Coventry ............................. 14 South Wales ...................... 14 Hemel Stags ...................... 14