Edgell hat-trick helps Leeds overcome Salford

Betfred Super League

Leeds (10) 42

Trys: Connor 7 . Miller, Miller, Newman, McDonnell, Jenkins

Salford (6) 6

Leeds Rhinos defeated bottom-place Salford 3-2 in the Super League on Sunday to reclaim their winning ways with a hat-trick.

The winger did well in the first half to repel a combative Salford side, who responded through Ryan Brierley and had an obstruction-related try that was blocked.

Salford ran out of steam in the second half as the Rhinos stretched out in the middle.

Harry Newman, James McDonnell, Cooper Jenkins, James McDonnell, and Lachie Miller piled on the tries before Edgell grabbed his third.

The victory lifts Leeds, who lost to St Helens last week at home, back into fourth place, and restores its three victories against the troubled Red Devils.

Earlier in the week, rumors of a strike by Salford players had been spread due to the club’s ongoing financial difficulties, including late pay, a salary cap, and the exodus of 11 senior players.

Without the key players Esan Marsters, Jayden Nikorima, and Loghan Lewis, they responded by touching down Brierley’s own chip over the defence after Leeds had already sprung up with Edgell’s first two tries.

Due to injury issues, Salford gave Declan Murphy, who impressed on his debut against Cas last week, his first start. He had a magnificent solo try that was blocked by a team-mate, and they thought they had just before half-time.

Leeds themselves struggled with injuries, losing Tom Holroyd and Mikolaj Oledzki to last week, but they showed their true form in the second half.

After Connor had chosen to kick a penalty, which Miller had already done, the visitors had Matty Foster sin-binned for tackling Brodie Croft off the ball.

After Edgell scored his eighth try of the season, Newman started and completed the move for his second.

Presley Cassell, a youngster making his debut off the bench, drew a penalty with his first run as Leeds made full use of numerical advantage.

McDonnell added another try to the four tries he had earlier scored at Salford in the season.

Brad Arthur, the Leeds coach, stated to BBC Radio Leeds:

“We scored some excellent tries, but I want to get to the point where we can enjoy a scoreless tries because they’re all worth the same.”

For the first time in a year, I had to spray the guys a rocket and then dive in. At half-time, I gave it to them for about 30 seconds before going away and leaving it alone.

“I’m really proud that they know what our standards and expectations are, and that they went out and did it in the second half without me having to explain what was required,” I said.

Ackers, Lisone, Smith, and Cassell exchange.

Salford: Murphy, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Whitehead, Shorrocks, Connell, Brierley, O. Russell, Ormondroyd, Mellor, C

Morgan, Wilson, Glover, and Chan exchange.