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Leeds Rhinos: Champion show by the Rhinos

Published on Sunday 18 January 2009 14:25

Leeds Rhinos 12 Salford Reds 10 What could have been an embarrassing fiasco turned into a stirring victory over adversity as Leeds Rhinos' youngsters blossomed in the Florida sunshine.

Trailing Salford City Reds 10-0 after as many minutes in their Jacksonville challenge match, a threadbare Rhinos side looked to be heading for a hiding.

But guts and determination came to the fore as Leeds hung on, clawed their way back into the game and then snatched an unlikely 12-10 success with a storming finish.

Rookies including hooker Paul McShane, stand-off Danny Allan and forwards Luke Ambler and Dane Manning stepped up to the plate in hugely encouraging style.

Having taken 23 players to Rhinos' pre-season camp, coach Brian McClennan was unable to field a full-bench, Leeds naming 16 players – against Reds' 25.

Foot injury victims Lee Smith and Danny McGuire were withdrawn on the eve of the game, Kevin Sinfield (lower leg) was sidelined on the morning of the match and Keith Senior (calf) pulled out after the squad arrived at the venue, the University of North Florida's Hodges Stadium.

With Matt Diskin and Danny Buderus on the long-term casualty list and Jamie Peacock having jetted home three days earlier to be with his pregnant wife Faye, Leeds were down to the bare bones.

McShane, yet to play a Super League game, had to do the full 80 minutes, Ambler started at prop against his former club and part-timer Jodie Broughton was on the wing – after taking part in the pre-match entertainment.

Manning, only drafted into the tour party a couple of days before they flew to Florida, was on a three-man bench, but proved a revelation with his no-fear approach.

With Salford having most of their big guns available, Leeds looked to be in for a long, hard afternoon, particularly after trailing to two early tries.

But Rhinos' inexperienced line-up responded in excellent style and – though Reds led for all but eight minutes – in the end Leeds were worthy victors.

Comeback kid Ashley Gibson was the hero, getting over at the corner for the winning touchdown with four minutes left.

Returning from a serious hamstring injury, after being restricted to just two senior appearances last year, Gibson was due to play for 40 minutes, but managed the full game.

Ali Lauitiiti, guilty of some fumbles earlier on, produced a magical offload to Scott Donald, who ran across field before sending Gibson over.

Eight minutes earlier, Ryan Hall's try had cut Salford's lead to just two points, the winger swooping in from a fine pass by livewire Allan, following good work by McShane.

The score had stood at 10-4 for 45 minutes, after Manning had opened Leeds' account, dropping on a loose ball when the Reds' defence spilled Rob Burrow's kick.

Manning's try began Leeds' fightback following a difficult opening which saw Paul White send Rob Parker over on four minutes, John Wilshere converting, with Willie Talau adding a second try six later.

Keeping Salford scoreless for 70 minutes was a huge effort by Rhinos, particularly as they were reduced to just 14 fit players by the 55th minute, following injuries to Kallum Watkins – fouled by Reds prop Ray Cashmere – and Broughton.

Burrow, who missed all three conversion attempts, went into the game with a sore back and Ian Kirke and Luke Burgess played through painful knocks. Both sides lacked match sharpness.

Salford had chances to put the game out of sight in the first-half, Burrow producing a try saving tackle on Wilshere before the same player knocked-on in good field position.

In the second 40, Donald prevented Craig Stapleton getting the ball down, Lee Jewitt was halted just short and Jason Walton slipped going for the line.

But Leeds also missed some opportunities, most notably when Allan was held up over the line and Kirke passed to a defender when he seemed to be about to power over.

On this showing, McShane is a real prospect. His defence – though brave – needs work, but he did well out of acting-half, visibly grew in confidence and dominat ed the final quarter.

Watkins showed some fine touches before being hurt and of the senior players, Donald looked the part as a makeshift full-back, Hall's try capped a strong game and Jamie Jones-Buchanan, who finished in the centres – was immense.

Reds made wholesale changes at the end of each quarter, so the way Leeds' stamina held up and the fact they finished the stronger was hugely encouraging, though a favourable penalty count of 8-3 helped.

LEEDS RHINOS: Donald, Hall, Watkins, Gibson, Broughton, Allan, Burrow, Ambler, Burgess, Jones-Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Ablett. Subs (all used) K Leuluai, Kirke, Manning.

SALFORD CITY REDS: Fitzpatrick, Wilshere, Talau, Turner, White, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Malcolm Alker, Stapleton, Parker, Adamson, Swain.

Subs (all used) Jewitt, Paul, Palfrey, Littler, Ratchford, Thornley, Marlon Alker, Walton, P Leuluai, Sidlow, Henry, Spencer.

REFEREE: Ben Thaler (Wakefield).

ATTENDANCE: 5,700. Comeback kid Ashley Gibson was the hero, getting over at the corner for the winning touchdown with four minutes left.

Returning from a serious hamstring injury, after being restricted to just two senior appearances last year, Gibson was due to play for 40 minutes, but managed the full game.

Ali Lauitiiti, guilty of some fumbles earlier on, produced a magical offload to Scott Donald, who ran across field before sending Gibson over.

Eight minutes earlier, Ryan Hall's try had cut Salford's lead to just two points, the winger swooping in from a fine pass by livewire Allan, following good work by McShane.

The score had stood at 10-4 for 45 minutes, after Manning had opened Leeds' account, dropping on a loose ball when the Reds' defence spilled Rob Burrow's kick.

Fouled