Krisnan Inu put in a man-of-the-match performance to help Salford Red Devils come from behind to record their fourth-straught league win as they beat strugglers Huddersfield Giants and moved back into the top five of Super League.
MATCH DETAILS
Logan Tomkins’ try had given the hosts an early lead, but Huddersfield responded well with Darnell McIntosh and Olly Russell crossing either side of half-time as the Giants looked to give themselves a four-point cushion from the bottom of the table.
Alas, the gap remains two, as tries from Mark Flanagan and Tui Lolohea gave Salford the upper hand in a crucial match for both sides.
Krisnan Inu, who showed great consistency by kicking four conversions and four further penalties, put the icing on the cake by chipping in with late try himself.
Salford had been overtaken in the play-off hunt by Castleford after the Tigers’ routine 20-6 win over London Broncos on Saturday, but this win puts the Red Devils back into the top five. They have now scored a sensational 152 points in four successive wins since they last lost – ironically, to Huddersfield last month.
The Giants, who were still reeling from their 44-0 humiliation at the hands of Leeds last time out, did give them a scare early in the second half, however, as Russell latched on to Louis Senior’s kick to give them hope of a morale-boosting win in their fight against the drop.
But they had no answer to Salford’s storming end the the match in the last 15 minutes, which included three tries and exemplary kicking from Inu.
FOUR POINTERS
Salford do what’s needed
It wasn’t a classy performance, but you never believed Salford were going to lose this one. Their home form is becoming increasingly solid and they always seem to get over the line.
Huddersfield are in the mire
Two points off the drop and with a game against bottom-side London Broncos in the near future, these are troubling times for the Giants. It’s going to be a real slog until the end of the season for them.
Inu can kick
Krisnan Inu’s kicking was flawless – not missing a single attempt. It’s players like him who ensure wins and with big games coming up for the fifth-placed side, they’ll need him continue his great form.
The Giants need to find inspiration
Taking the lead in the second half only to throw it away must have been gut-wrenching for the Huddersfield players, but they need to take heart from a gusty performance and pick up on the positives they can take back to Yorkshire. They need to improve – fast.
THE RESULT
Salford Red Devils 36
Tries: Tomkins, Flanagan, Lolohea, Inu
Goals: Inu (8)
Drop Goals: n/a
Huddersfield Giants 16
Tries: McIntosh, Russell
Goals: Roberts, Russell
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Salford Red Devils:ย Evalds; Olpherts, Welham, Bibby, Inu; Lolohea, Hastings; Dudson, Tomkins, Walker, Jones, Lannon, Flanagan.
Interchanges:ย Johnson, Lussick, McCarthy, Mossop.
Huddersfield Giants:ย Gaskell; McGillvary, L Senior, Jake Wardle, McIntosh; Russell, Holmes; English, Leeming, Matagi, Joe Wardle, Ta’ai, Lawrence.
Interchanges:ย O’Brien, Roberts, Wilson, Ikahihifo.
Referee:ย Marcus Griffiths.
