Rhinos charge into top four
Leeds leapfrogged over Hull into fourth place in the Super League table with a hard-fought 31-22 win away at Salford.
Last Updated: 28/07/10 1:47pm
Leeds leapfrogged over Hull into fourth place in the engage Super League table with a hard-fought 31-22 win over Salford.
The Rhinos trailed 12-4 in the early stages at the Willows but 15 points from Kevin Sinfield - including a second-half try - helped them to victory.
Reds duo Jodie Broughton and Ashley Gibson both scored against their old club, the latter bagging a brace thanks to a second try in the dying stages.
However without Australian playmaker Daniel Holdsworth, the hosts were unable to build on their away win over Bradford last time out.
Promising signs
There were promising signs when they led 10-4 after 10 minutes, Broughton having broken the deadlock following a towering Matty Smith kick.
The half-back's up-and-under caused chaos in the Rhinos defence, allowing Malcolm Alker to get hold of the ball and set Broughton scampering over in the corner for his fourth try in three matches.
Leeds did level when Danny McGuire picked off Adam Sidlow's wild pass and set up Ian Kirke for only his second Super League try of the campaign.
However the home side responded by going over for a second time; Gibson showing tremendous strength to force his way over from Alker's pass.
Steve Tyrer added the conversion from the touchline and Salford thought they had gone even further clear when Sidlow went over - only for his effort to be disallowed for a forward pass in the build-up.
Having slipped further behind following a Tyrer penalty at the start of the second half, Leeds also had a try chalked off themselves for a double movement by centre Brett Delaney.
There were no such problems though when Ali Lauitiiti somehow managed to release the ball under pressure and give Ryan a Hall a walk-in try.
The Rhinos then went in front for the first time in the contest when Sinfield waltzed through, his conversion making it 16-12 after 57 minutes of play.
Long-range try
A penalty from the Leeds skipper opened up a six-point gap and Salford's hopes of a shock seemed to end when Delaney shrugged off Mark Henry and sent Scott Donald scooting away for a long-range try that was also converted.
To their credit the Reds continued to fight hard, Alker recovering from a heavy tackle by Lauitiiti to send Ray Cashmere ploughing through for his first try for Salford since signing from North Queensland Cowboys two years ago.
Tyrer's goal cut the deficit to six again, though Sinfield responded by slotting over a drop goal 10 minutes from time to ease the nerves.
Hall's second try from Jones-Buchanan's long pass made sure of the two points for the Rhinos, with a further Sinfield penalty completing their scoring.
Gibson had the last word when he notched his second try with only two minutes to play, though it was no more than a late consolation for his team's brave efforts in defeat to the reigning champions.
