The Salford Red Devils were looking to rejoin the three sides in third place on twenty-two league points but standing in their way was a round eighteen game against Super League’s least predictable team, the Leeds Rhinos who themselves were eyeing up seventh spot.

Salford were the victors by ten points when the sides last met in early May, but it was the visitors who were slight favourites with the bookies this time out, Salford being given a two-point start on the handicap coupon.

This was a crucial game for both sides in their push for the play-offs, a win for the Red Devils would consolidate their place in the top six, while victory for their opponents would open the door for a charge into the six from the sides immediately outside the zone, including the Leeds Rhinos.

The home side had good early use of the ball, but it was the Rhinos who opened the scoring when Cameron Smith dropped his shoulder and went over by the left upright as the Salford defence opened up and let the big loose forward through. Rhyse Martin added the extras, the Rhinos off to a great start.

Salford opened their account on twenty minutes when Tim Lafai collected a Brodie Croft kick to the corner as the Rhinos defender slipped allowing him to cross. Marc Sneyd was wide of the uprights with his conversion.

Neither side were on top of their game, but the Rhinos went in next on twenty-nine when Ash Handley took a long pass from Richie Myler to go over in the corner on the overlap to score untouched. Martin was unable to add the extras, Leeds a converted try ahead.

A late tackle by Tyler Dupree gave the Rhinos a kickable penalty and Martin obliged by kicking the two points with two minutes of the half remaining.

Leeds went to sleep from the kick-off, the ball bouncing dead and forcing a goal line drop out but in the dying seconds of the half Sneyd knocked on in the tackle and the opportunity passed, the Rhinos taking an eight-point lead into the sheds.

Seconds after the restart Lafai got his second of the game as he chased down a Croft kick to the corner to collect and ground after Salford progressed the length of the field on their set of six. Ryan Brierley took over the kicking duties, Sneyd carrying a knock, and he converted from the touchline for 10-12.

Salford were in the lead on forty-nine when Myler flapped at a Croft kick, gifting the ball to Ken Sio to score wide. This time Brierley was unable to add the extras, the Red Devils with a two-point advantage.

It was like two different sides had emerged for the second half, Salford inspired, the Rhinos struggling.

A twenty-three-man brawl broke out on sixty-four minutes with Chris Atkin and Mikolaj Oledzki yellow carded for their involvement, the Rhinos getting the penalty.

The Rhinos were awarded a penalty for a high tackle on sixty-seven, Martin kicking the goal to level the scores at 14-14 with eleven minutes remaining.

A Sezer grubber forced a Salford drop-out, Sneyd kicking the ball out on the full and gifting the Rhinos a penalty which Martin put between the sticks to wrestle the lead back for the visitors.

With five minutes remaining the thunder and lightening arrived to match the electric atmosphere of a close fixture. With three minutes remaining Richie Myler went in but the referee called the pay back for an obstruction when it looked like Leeds had sealed the win.

The Rhinos emerged victorious from a frantic final few minutes, a two point victory, and a thriller for the fans in the ground.

After the Rhinos dominated the scoring in the first half, the two quick tries at the start of the second half put the Red Devils right back in the game and set the stage for an amazing second half of nail-biting rugby league. Leeds only second half points were two penalties from the boot of Martin but it was enough as their charge for the top six continued, moving up to seventh place, just two points behind the Red Devils in sixth.

Salford Red Devils: Brierley (G), Sio (T), Cross, Lafai (2T), Burgess, Croft, Sneyd, Ormondroyd, Ackers, Gerrard, Addy, Hellewell, Partington.  Subs: Vuniyayawa, Atkin (SB on 64), Dupree, Costello. 18th Man: Sidlow.

Leeds Rhinos: Myler, Fusitu’a, MacDonald, Martin (4G), Handley (T), Johnson, Sezer, Oledzki (SB on 64), O’Connor, Walters, Bentley, McDonnell, Smith (T). Subs: Donaldson, Lisone, Holroyd, Roberts. 18th Man: Ruan.

Half-Time: 4-12.

Full-Time: 14-16.

Score Progression: 0-4, 0-6, 4-6, 4-10, 4-12: HT: 8-12, 10-12, 14-12, (SB), (SB), 14-14, 14-16 :FT.

Lead Exchanges: Leeds – Salford – Square - Leeds.

Referee: Aaron Moore.