Leeds 22-10 Salford

Correspondent

Leeds ended their run of back to back defeats with a hard fought win over Salford at Headingley.

The Rhinos, who face NRL champions Melbourne in the World Club Challenge next Sunday, have made a slow start to the season, and it didn’t get much better against the City Reds, who were still in the game going in to the final quarter.

Keith Senior maintained his record of scoring in every Super League season by notching the first try, converted by Kevin Sinfield, but former Rhinos youngster Ashley Gibson crossed for the visitors who went in 6-4 down.

Kiwi full back Brent Webb stretched the Rhinos’ advantage early in the second half, but they were pegged back again when centre Willie Talau grabbed Salford’s second try, converted by Stefan Ratchford, to keep the game tight at 12-10.

Leeds, who lost their last two games to Wakefield and Castleford, were dealt a blow when Scott Donald went off with a shoulder injury, and he could now miss next week’s big game at Elland Road.

Senior’s second try, with less than fifteen minutes left, put the home side six points clear of the gutsy visitors, and Brian McClennan’s side sealed the win in the dying minutes, when Ian Kirke‘s try, converted by Kevin Sinfield, finally put some breathing space between the two sides.

It was the Reds’ third defeat of the season, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table.