20 May 2023

Match Report | Salford Red Devils

Huddersfield Giants exited the Betfred Challenge Cup at the hands of Salford Red Devils, as they lost out 42-40 in a high scoring affair.

Ian Watson reshuffled his pack ahead of the Round 6 Betfred Challenge Cup tie vs Salford Red Devils, with Sam Halsall, Joe Greenwood and Theo Fages all returning.

Salford struck first, as they shifted the ball out wide which saw Joe Burgess create the overlap for Matt Costello to race home and score.

The home side would then cross the Giants whitewash soon after, as they made the quicker start out of both sides, Alex Gerrard touching down from close range.

The Giants first chance of the game would come, and go as Jake Connor looked to set Esan Marsters through a gap, but the centre fumbled the ball and a knock on was awarded.

Salford then never looked back, as they took full advantage of their domination of the field position and scored through Kallum Watkins, a neat kick through by Brodie Croft the architect.

Rhys Williams would, on the next set after the try reach out in the corner to score, and after the video referee’s confirmation the try was awarded to compound a miserable first half.

However, with ten minutes to go before the break, two quick tries from Sam Hewitt and Luke Yates got us back into contention, before the break.

Theo Fages the creator of both, as two crash balls from the half-sent Sam and Luke through huge gaps to cross the Salford line, making the score 24-12.

With a minute remaining, Jake Connor kicked in-behind Salford winger Joe Burgess, with Jake Bibby racing onto the ball he acrobatically dived over in the corner to leave the half-time scores at 24-16, and the Giants in-contention.

After the break we started as we finished the first half as some superb play from Joe Greenwood saw him offload the ball, setting Tui Lolohea free to sprint into the Salford line and send Luke Yates away for his second try of the game.

Salford, holding a slender two-point advantage would push themselves further out in front, as Jake Bibby couldn’t take a high Marc Sneyd kick, Joe Burgess scooped up the loose ball and scored.

Rhys Williams then grabbed his second, as Sam Halsall couldn’t take a high kick from Marc Sneyd, he scored in the corner to further extend the Red Devils’ lead.

Tui Lolohea did grab a try as he battled against the Salford forwards, to touch down under the posts, setting up what was to be a frantic last ten minutes.

Theo Fages bagged his hat-trick of try assists on his return to action, as he sent Kevin Naiqama racing through a gap to score, reducing the arrears.

Luke Yates would then score his hat-trick, with seconds remaining, leaving the scores at 42-40, but it wasn’t to be enough as Salford progress on the evening and the Giants exit the Betfred Challenge Cup at the Sixth Round.

 

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS – Will Pryce, Sam Halsall, Esan Marsters, Kevin Naiqama, Jake Bibby, Jake Connor, Theo Fages, Chris Hill, Adam O’Brien, Oliver Wilson, Sam Hewitt, Leroy Cudjoe, Harry Rushton.

Interchanges – Tui Lolohea, Luke Yates, Joe Greenwood, Seb Ikahihifo. 18th Man, Harvey Livett


Final Score | Salford Red Devils 42 – 40 Huddersfield Giants

 

TRIES

Sam Hewitt, Luke Yates 3, Jake Bibby, Tui Lolohea, Kevin Naiqama

GOALS

Jake Connor 6/7


 

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