Watto pleased with late rally in nail-biting finale
HUDDERSFIELD lost to a last-gasp drop goal against St Helens in their most recent outing before Friday but threatened an even more remarkable late show after being galvanised by Adam Swift’s 11th try of the season against Salford.
Tui Lolohea chased and grounded his own kick while Jake Bibby touched down against his former club with a minute left but it was too little, too late as Huddersfield dropped one place to eighth in the table.
“I’m pleased with the effort and their attitude to dig in and show the spirit at the back end of the game,” Huddersfield coach Ian Watson said.
“But the first half, the interception hurt us badly and it took the energy away from us. I don’t think we completed a set (near Salford’s try line) probably until the last 10 minutes of the game.”
Elliot Wallis was given his marching orders on the hour after leaning his head towards Tim Lafai, having fumbled a try-scoring opportunity.
Paul Rowley breathed a sigh of relief after Salford held off the late fightback to move level on points with Betfred Super League leaders St Helens.
Nene Macdonald bagged a brace of tries and teed up Ethan Ryan to go over as Salford went into the final 10 minutes 18-0 ahead, with Huddersfield down to 12 after Wallis’ controversial red card.
But Swift, Lolohea and Bibby all dotted down and all that separated the sides was Marc Sneyd’s three conversions
BOSS SAYS INTERCEPTION COST TEAM THEIR ENERGY
to Jake Connor’s two as Salford eked out a nail-biting 18-16 victory.
“I’d have been gutted for the players if we hadn’t come away with the win because we were the better team and deserved the win,” Salford coach Rowley said.
“I felt we could have gone on and had a healthy scoreline but credit to Huddersfield, there were two sin bins and a red card; the chaos suited a team that’s chasing a game and they made a real fist of it.
“But before the game, whatever it
looked like, I’d have been very happy with two points. If you come here and win, you’ve got to earn it. I felt our boys bent their backs and earned it. We’re very happy.
“They didn’t do it by trick plays or anything magical, they did it with really solid, resilient defence and bravery and endeavour with the ball.”
Salford had Ryan Brierley and Chris Atkin yellow-carded and were indebted to a star showing from Macdonald, who opened the scoring by intercepting Connor’s pass and dashing 70 metres for a try.