Salford 16-24 Huddersfield: Four on the bounce for Giants
By Press Association Sport
Last Updated: 26/05/18 2:03pm
New Huddersfield coach Simon Woolford only arrived in England on Friday morning but he was sat in the stand to see the Giants pick up a 24-16 win at Salford in the Betfred Super League.
The Australian, formerly assistant coach at Newcastle Knights, would have been greatly encouraged as the Giants dug deep for a fourth straight victory which saw them leapfrog Salford into the top eight.
Ian Watson's side have now lost their last five games in all competitions but they made a bright start with an early try from centre Junior Sa'u after Daniel Murray had gone close moments earlier. Robert Lui was unable to add the conversion.
There was a big chance for Huddersfield to get off the mark in the 11th minute when Jermaine McGillvary was tackled into touch just metres from the try-line after being put through by Lee Gaskell's pass.
A 15th-minute penalty from Lui edged Salford 6-0 ahead but the Giants got off the mark when Jake Mamo's pass put winger Darnell McIntosh over in the corner.
Danny Brough missed the conversion but kicked a penalty after a high tackle on Ukuma Ta'ai which levelled the scores at 6-6 in the 26th minute.
Having worked hard to claw their way back, Huddersfield soon found themselves behind again 11 minutes before half-time.
There looked to be no danger when Lui kicked to the Giants in-goal as the ball was left by Huddersfield full-back Jordan Rankin to roll dead.
However, the alert Salford full-back Niall Evalds stole in and was able to ground the ball. Lui was unable to add the conversion.
Salford had won the last five meetings between the sides and they made a good start to the second half with Evalds making a 60-metre break before being hauled down by some desperate Huddersfield defence.
Huddersfield, though, were the next to score when Daniel Smith powered over from close range in the 52nd minute, Brough's conversion giving the visitors a 12-10 lead.
With 16 minutes remaining, former Salford centre Jordan Turner scored against his former club, taking a pass from Kruise Leeming at dummy-half. Brough added the extras to give Huddersfield an eight-point lead.
Huddersfield sealed victory with a try from Leeming seven minutes from the end which was again converted by Brough.
There was still time for Sa'u to score a second try in the dying minutes, Lui kicking the goal, but it proved too little, too late for the Red Devils.