Leeds (18) 46 Tries: Senior, Jones-Buchanan, Hauraki, Watkins, Webb, Ablett 2, Lauitiiti Goals: Sinfield 7 Salford (12) 12 Tries: Ratchford, Sidlow Goals: Holdsworth 2
 Loose forward Ablett scored two tries within three minutes of each other |
Carl Ablett ran in two tries as Leeds won at home for the first time this season, beating Salford 46-12. The home side were shocked by Stefan Ratchford's score within five minutes but Keith Senior went over to level. Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Weller Hauraki then scored tries within three minutes of each other, before Adam Sidlow's try closed the gap to 18-12 at half-time. Leeds ran in eight second-half tries thanks to Kallum Watkins, Brent Webb, Ablett (2) and Ali Lauitiiti. Salford have now lost four of their opening five Super League games, while Leeds, beaten in their previous two outings, move up to fourth. The visitors looked the most lively in the opening stages, Daniel Holdsworth's teasing grubber kick being grounded by Ratchford. The home crowd were stunned, but Leeds gradually got back into the game and were rewarded with Senior's try in the 18th minute. Ten minutes later, Hauraki and Webb combined for Jones-Buchanan to cross the line and Hauraki quickly followed that with a try of his own. Salford claimed their second try of the night just before half-time, as Matty Smith set up Sidlow to close the gap to 18-12. But that was as good as it got for the visitors as Leeds ran in five unanswered second-half tries. Watkins went over in the right corner, before Sinfield, who weighed in with 14 points with the boot, sent Webb away to score in the 64th minute. Ablett's two quick tries put the game out of Salford's reach, Lauitiiti adding Leeds' eighth try with two minutes remaining.
Leeds coach Brian McDermott: "The young lads such as Chris Clarkson, Jay Pitts and Brad Singleton did a good job but Ian Kirke and Jamie Jones-Buchanan were just outstanding. "I thought we had some terrific leadership from several of our senior blokes in the likes of Danny Buderus, Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow. "They gave us a lot of team structure there, which doesn't get seen too often but I can tell you they had a huge influence on how the game flowed." Salford football director Steve Simms: "It's an 80-minute game and we really have to start playing for the full 80 minutes. "Good teams play all the time and we competed for 10 to 15 minutes of the second half but then Leeds got hot and started throwing the ball around. "All their quality players shone through. Headingley is not the sort of place you want to come after Leeds have lost two on the bounce."
Leeds: Webb; Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Senior, Hall; Sinfield, Burrow; Jones-Buchanan, Buderus, Kirke, Hauraki, Lauitiiti, Ablett. Replacements: Clarkson, McShane, Pitts, Singleton. Salford: Patten; Broughton, Nero, Gibson, Henry; Ratchford, Holdsworth; Cashmere, Godwin, Boyle, Neal, L Adamson, Wild. Replacements: Sidlow, Smith, Paleaaesina, Spencer. Referee: Thierry Alibert (Toulouse). Attendance: 13,068.
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