Star date: 24th April 2021

SALFORD RED DEVILS 34 LEIGH CENTURIONS 8

Salford Red Devils got off the mark in the Super League with their first win against the plucky and newly promoted Leigh Centurions. At half-time, with the Centurions leading by eight points to six, the visitors may smelt a shock victory, but 28 unanswered points in the second half lead to what appears to be a comfortable win.  Here Paul Whiteside gives his expert opinion on the game.

Match report here...

After a nice warm day in Salford the sun was still shining as the two sides walked out for kick off. Both teams were without a win and perhaps a little low on confidence. Salford coach Richard Marshall had to make a few alterations to his starting line-up due to injuries and the suspension of hooker Andy Ackers.

Elliot Kear came in to replace Morgan Escare at fullback, Krisnan Inu returned at centre to replace the injured Kallum Watkins, and James Greenwood was back on the bench along with Greg Burke. Leigh handed a debut to new signing Anthony Gelling and former Salford favourite Tyrone McCarthy started at prop for the Centurions.

First Half

Salford made a nervous start to the game with Leigh forcing an early drop out to apply some pressure to the Red's line. On the back of Dec Patton kicking out on the full the Centurions took advantage. A slick move down the left edge saw some crisp passing before Matty Russell strolled in for the game's first try.

Salford's best chance in the early part of the game was when Lee Mossop came close to scoring but was held up over the line. Salford were lacking ideas on attack especially in areas of good field position.

The Red Devils scored their first points midway through the first half. Kevin Brown, who had a productive game, putting a try on a plate for James Greenwood with a nice offload. Krisnan Inu converted to nudge Salford in front 6-4.

Another good move down the left edge brought Leigh's second try. Iain Thornley the scorer. The introduction of Darcy Lussick seemed to get Salford moving and the big man was hard to stop. Kevin Brown's kicking game continued to cause problems for Leigh with a few of them being misjudged by the defence. Salford lacked that killer instinct on attack though and went in at half time trailing. Salford Red Devils 6 – 8 Leigh Centurions

Second Half

Mistakes were aplenty at the start of the second half as both teams struggled to complete a set of six. Kevin Brown took matters into his own hands, gliding through a gap and beating the Centurion's Craig Mullen to the line to score Salford's second try. 12–8.

Salford continued to make errors early in the tackle count and Leigh went looking to strike a blow. The pressure was mounting before a piece of sheer brilliance from Krisnan Inu saw Ken Sio racing the length of the field to score a try totally against the run of play to get the Red Devils out of jail 18-8.

At this point Leigh looked to have run out of steam and the Reds capitalised with three further late tries to seal the victory. With ten minutes remaining, Kevin Brown grabbed his second try to ease the Reds further clear. Inu missed the conversion from near to the touch line 22-8.

Moments later, Harvey Livett set up Chris Atkin up to score Salford's fifth-try, with Krisnan Inu converting leaving the score line looking a little harsh on the battling Centurions. 28-8

In the last minute of the game the impressive Harvey Livett rounded the scoring off with the final try, Krisnan Inu converted for five successful kicks from six and a final score of Salford Red Devils 34–8 Leigh Centurions.

Analysis
Confidence in sport can be a massive thing and for the last fifteen minutes of this match Salford seemed to find some. The turning point had to be Krisnan Inu's juggling act which resulted in Ken Sio's long range try. This took the game out of Leigh's reach. Twenty-eight unanswered points from Salford took the game away from a valiant Leigh side.

Salford still have a lot to work on. They will face another stern test next Friday when Castleford Tigers are the visitors to the AJ Bell Stadium.

Salford Red Devils 34 – 8 Leigh Centurions.

Salford Red Devils: Kear, Sio, Inu, Costello, Williams, Lolohea, Brown, Mossop, Patton, Ikahihifo, Livett, Roberts, Wells, Greenwood, Lussick, Atkin, Burke.
Tries: Greenwood, Brown, Sio, Brown, Atkin, Livett
Goals: Inu (5/6)

Leigh Centurions: Mullen, Russell, Gelling, Thornley, Tierney, Reynolds, Brierley, McCarthy, Hood, Flower, Hellewell, Thompson, Bell, Peats, Ioane, Gerrard, Gee.
Tries: Russell, Thornley

Referee: James Child

Match report by Paul Whiteside
Photos by Gareth Lyons