Sneyd makes Salford believe CRUSHED
GIANTS ARE
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MARC SNEYD snuffed the life out of the
Giants as he masterminded a brilliant do-or-die win for underdogs Salford.
The Red Devils came into the play-offs as the lowest ranked team, against the third-placed side, but they were a huge class above.
Poor Huddersfield were massively disappointing but any side would have struggled against Paul Rowley’s free-flowing entertainers in this mood
Rowley said: “We are a good team with good players. We are resilient and adaptable and very chilled. It was definitely a win for character and commitment. “We may be a bit of a crazy gang at times but we have some talented individuals who take it very seriously and work hard and come together as a very good team.”
Gutted
Half-back Sneyd led the way with six goals and two try assists to set up a semi-final clash next Saturday with champions St Helens. Gutted Giants boss Ian Watson said: “We played real dumb and Marc Sneyd was able to play in a dinner suit on the back of it. “The better team won, it’s a really disappointing end to the season.” Rowley, who is on the shortlist to be named Coach of the
Year, said: “It means the journey can continue.
“We were not ready for it to finish. But we are not treating this like winning the final – it is just another step.”
The only down side for Salford is the expected loss for the semi-final of Man of Steel contender Brodie Croft with a head injury.
Rowley said: “Brodie is gutted but we’ve got to try and step over another rung in the ladder to enable him to come back for the final and display his talent on the biggest stage.”
Full-back Ryan Brierley will also be sweating on his availability if a disciplinary hearing decides his sin bin for a shoulder charge is worthy of a possible ban.
But, whoever plays, Rowley has promised to go to Saints next week with the same daring game plan.
He added: “We are massive underdogs again. We can only beat them with hard work, commitment and throwing a bit of caution to the wind. We will not be daunted by the challenge.” Salford raced into a 16-0 lead after just 19 minutes with tries from Joe Burgess and Kallum Watkins, plus four Sneyd goals.
Taunts
Brierley’s spell in the sin bin failed to derail them and Salford held the lead until half-time and then stretched it early in the second.
Brierley raced on to a grubber kick from Sneyd sparking taunts from the Salford supporters against their former boss Watson, who took them to the 2019 Grand Final.
Hooker Andy Ackers rounded off the win with a great solo effort in the dying moments.
SALFORD RED DEVILS:
Tries: Burgess, Watkins, Ackers Brierley, Cons: Sneyd (4)
Pens: Sneyd (2)