\n<\/p>\n
Leigh (4) 10<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n| Tries:<\/strong> Charnley, Penalty <\/span>Goals:<\/strong> Hardaker<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Salford (12) 20<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Tries:<\/strong> Watkins, Ackers, Brierley <\/span>Goals:<\/strong> Sneyd 4<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n | Salford Red Devils claimed a hard-fought derby win to spoil Leigh Leopards’ big night on their Super League return.<\/span><\/p>\n Last season’s Championship winners, who rebranded from Centurions to Leopards, led through a Josh Charnley try.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n But scores from Salford captain Kallum Watkins, Andy Ackers and Ryan Brierley turned the game in their favour. <\/span><\/p>\n A penalty try gave Leigh a lifeline but last season’s play-off semi-finalists hung on to open 2023 with victory.<\/span><\/p>\n This season is Leigh’s fourth crack at Super League but on each of the three previous campaigns, they have only lasted one season, most recently in 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n Owner Derek Beaumont is determined to see them become an established Super League club, however, which is why he changed the club’s moniker and gave the green light for a host of new players to join them.<\/span><\/p>\n Beaumont wore a leopard-print jacket for the occasion, while there were fireworks, dancers and live music from indie pop band Scouting for Girls to add a sense of occasion for a crowd of 8,389.<\/span><\/p>\n And the majority of those were celebrating as they struck first after a tight opening quarter.<\/span><\/p>\n Scrum-half Lachlan Lam, son of Leopards coach Adrian, sent a looping pass out to Charnley and the veteran wing, the third highest try-scorer in Super League history, touched down in the corner.<\/span><\/p>\n But Salford won nine of their last 12 regular Super League games in 2022 to claim a top-six finish and they showed that quality to turn the match around.<\/span><\/p>\n Brodie Croft was awarded the prestigious Man of Steel award last year and has been handed a new contract until 2030 to underline their ambitions. <\/span><\/p>\n The Australian half-back showed his class as he attacked the line and his short pass to Watkins saw the captain power over.<\/span><\/p>\n England hooker Ackers then touched down with one of his trademark runs from dummy half and was able to dive under the posts.<\/span><\/p>\n It looked like the game was over early in the second period after more magic from Croft as he spotted a few yards of space and had Brierley in support as the full-back, who scored 154 tries in 156 games for Leigh, applied the finish.<\/span><\/p>\n But a yellow card for visiting scrum-half Marc Sneyd allowed the home side to claw their way back into things. With a man less, Watkins conceded a penalty try for a deliberate obstruction on Jack Hughes.<\/span><\/p>\n Leigh could not build any further momentum, however, and Sneyd added two points with the final kick of the match to secure Salford’s first win at the Leigh Sports Village.<\/span><\/p>\n Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam told BBC Radio Manchester:<\/strong><\/p>\n “I’m a bit frustrated. There was plenty of effort and energy put into the game but the two tries in four minutes before half-time sat us on our backsides a little bit.<\/span><\/p>\n “In the second half, we didn’t have the composure we needed to execute some of the plays we needed to get points.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s frustrating, but when you have eight players making their debuts, it doesn’t quite click for you. It’s something we have to develop and work hard on as a team.”<\/span><\/p>\n Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley told BBC Radio Manchester:<\/strong><\/p>\n “It was really difficult, but we expected that.<\/span><\/p>\n “It was a tough game, we needed to be very good and we were. We completed high, we played tough and we needed to be that team tonight, so I’m delighted. <\/span><\/p>\n “What an atmosphere, too. Well done to both sets of fans and to Leigh for the event. It was a good opening for us.” <\/span><\/p>\n Leigh:<\/strong> Hardaker; Briscoe, Chamberlain, Leutele, Charnley; O’Brien, Lam; Amone, Davis, Mulhern, Wardle, Holmes, Asiata.<\/span><\/p>\n Interchanges:<\/em> Nakubuwai, Hughes, O’Donnell, Ipape, Reynolds.<\/span><\/p>\n Salford:<\/strong> Brierley; Sio, Cross, Lafai, Williams; Croft, Sneyd; Dupree, Ackers, Vuniyayawa, Watkins, Stone, Partington.<\/span><\/p>\n |