Despite a spirited performance, Salford Red Devils fell to a 30-18 defeat against Huddersfield Giants at Magic Weekend.
In front of a busy St. James’ Park, Paul Rowley’s men were looking to make it three league wins on the bounce, but Huddersfield started the game strongly and were able to hold onto their lead.
Giants struck inside five minutes, with Toby King crashing over after scooping a Giants end-of-set kick out of the sky.
A few minutes later, Rhys Williams had half a chance to put Salford on the scoreboard, but the video ref deemed that he had not made contact with the ball in Huddersfield’s in-goal area.
Huddersfield picked up another four-pointer after the cl9ck hit 10 minutes, Owen Trout powering over to the right of the sticks.
Chris McQueen scored 15 minutes later in the right corner, before Deon Cross opened Salf0rd’s account in the 32nd minute. After a period of sustained pressure on the Giants line, the Red Devils moved the ball right and it was Cross who darted through a gap to go over.
However, Giants responded just before the half-time hooter. Huddersfield were awarded a penalty in front of the Salford sticks and stretched the ball right from the scrum, allowing Jermaine McGillvary to stroll over.
HALF-TIME: HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS 24-6 SALFORD RED DEVILS
Salford started the second forty the stronger side and went over twice within the first fifteen minutes of the half.
Brodie Croft, who had a brilliant individual performance, went over to the left of the sticks after some magical footwork bamboozled a handful of Giants players.
Minutes later, Croft danced through the Giants line and set up proud Geordie, Sam Luckley, to crash over under the sticks at St James’ Park.
McGillvary scored the last try of the afternoon with 15 minutes to go, diving over in the right corner of an overload down the right flank that left Salford outnumbered.
Theo Fages missed two drop-goal attempts and Huddersfield saw two tries chalked off in the final few minutes, but they had done just enough to take the two points this afternoon.
FULL-TIME: HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS 30-18 SALFORD RED DEVILS
