Brave Salford unfortunate to lose again

Huddersfield Giants 22 - 8 Salford Red Devils

Huddersfield Giants were perhaps lucky to beat Salford Red Devils in the penultimate round of Super League fixtures.

Author | Michael Haldsworth 

Stadium | Accu Stadium

Leroy Cudjoe marked his final home appearance for Huddersfield Giants in memorable fashion, kicking a conversion with the last act of the game to seal victory.

A quick overview of what happened

If ever a team was so little deserving of the final score chalked up against them, that team was Salford Red Devils. For around seventy percent of the game, they were by far the better side, controlling both the conditions and opposition with a command that belied their lowly league status, and the makeshift nature of the side.

Two Rowan Milnes goals and some sterling defending from the troubled Red Devils had them 8-4 ahead and on course for only their fourth win of the season.

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The visitors defended their line resolutely as the Giants stepped it up with half-time approaching. However, they stood firm and were battling hard to give their loyal supporters something to cheer. 

However, they faded in the final ten minutes as tries from Adam Swift, Jacob Gagai and Kieran Rush added to Ashton Golding’s first-half effort. That left the stage clear for Cudjoe to bring the evening to a close in a cruel fashion from a Salford perspective. 

Nearing the end of traumatic season for Salford 

The Red Devils look destined to finish bottom after a turbulent season in which they twice had HMRC winding-up petitions adjourned to allow them to see out the campaign.

The club has endured a player exodus, run into sustainability cap problems and, only last week, lost assistant coach Kurt Haggerty, who had been lined up to succeed Paul Rowley next season, because of the scale of their financial troubles.

Yet Rowley’s side have shown spirit, and forward Sangare marked his 150th career appearance by forcing his way over the line within seven minutes.

Salford fans still proud of their team

One supporter told us: "Another heroic display despite everything going on."

Gareth Todd added: "Our fans, manager and all the players deserve so much more than this. I am so proud of them all."

Robin added: "Tough on Salford. We were the better team for 60 minutes but just ran out of steam. We have some good players who would have achieved great things in a more positive environment."