Huddersfield Giants return to Super League summit as they prove too strong for Salford City Reds

By Ben Burrows

Salford City Reds suffered a second defeat in as many weeks as Huddersfield Giants returned to the top of Super League with a regulation win on Good Friday.

After some good and even early exchanges the Giants pulled away in the second half and were more than comfortable winners.

The hosts scored three tries in each half to run out 36-10 winners.

The Reds continued their good recent run of fast starts with returning winger Jodie Broughton scoring as early as the third minute.

The winger, who had missed the previous five league matches with a double hernia, crossed in the left-hand corner after great handling from centre Joel Moon.

Giants responded quickly with a well taken try from Jermaine McGillvary and then a good blindside break by Luke George resulted in Michael Lawrence crossing for another score on his one hundredth Giants appearance.

Halfback Danny Brough converted both efforts to give the home side an early 12-4 lead.

Scrumhalf Luke Robinson thought he had a score of his own after 20 minutes but his attempt was ruled out by the in-goal official for a double movement after darting over from dummy half.

After withstanding a period of good home pressure, Reds hit back when Moon slid over after Luke Patten had timed his run to join the line perfectly and put his fellow Australian away.

The Giants extended their lead shortly after when poor discipline from the Reds resulted in back to back defensive sets.

Hooker Tommy Lee took advantage crashing over from dummy half to put the home side 18-10 up at the break.

Eight minutes after the interval Giants went further ahead when another well constructed blindside move resulted in hooker Shaun Lunt darting over from just short of the line.

Man of the match Lee then took advantage of weak visitor defence and threw a great dummy to grab his second of the afternoon.

Promising fullback Greg Eden added some gloss to a rusty display late on when he finished a good move involving firstly Kevin Brown and then first-half try scorer Lawrence.

The score line was probably a little flattering in the end for the Giants but there was no doubting they were the better side on the day.

Reds head coach Phil Veivers was disappointed with his sides display on the day.

"I thought it was a pretty scrappy affair for both sides. We just didn't really gel as a team today. We played more as individuals than as a team. We spoke about discipline and it's something we need to address again.

"I need to speak to the referees because, five or six games into the season, we were the best disciplined side in the competition and I'm wondering how things have changed so much.

"If I was a fan watching that I'd be sticking needles in my eyes. But, as a coach, it was even worse.

"We worked a lot in the week on contact and the wrestle, yet Huddersfield still out-wrestled us. We'll have to look at that again. It's a matter of pride. You don't want to lose like that."

Salford have a short turn around before they face Hull KR on Easter Monday.

Hull KR will be smarting after losing the Humberside derby with fierce rivals Hull FC on Good Friday.