Salford Red Devils hosted Leeds Rhinos on Sunday in the Betfred Super League. With both sides needing the points, the game was set to be an entertaining watch.
The fixture, originally set for Friday evening, had to be rescheduled due to the international fixture England vs Combined Nations All Stars. Thus, two days later, both teams travelled to the AJ Bell Stadium in a bottom half of the table clash.
On the day, it was much more entertaining than expected, with both teams suffering several disciplinary issues during both the first and second half.
Half way through the first half, as the scores were still level, Rhinos player Konrad Hurrell and Salford player Lee Mossop had a coming together in which Mossop punched Hurrell who left the pitch for a head injury assessment.
After the first punch, players from both sides scuffled before Mossop was shown red for his actions. During which Leeds player Bodene Thompson was also shown red for running in and getting involved.
Not long after the game continued, Jack Wells was shown a yellow card and sent to the sin bin after a dangerous tackle. Less than half an hour played and the Rhinos had 12 men on the pitch compared to the Red Devils who had 11 men.
Just after the yellow card, the Rhinos lead. Salford made efforts to come back with a strong end to the first half with back-to-back-to-back penalties awarded. However, Leeds fought hard to maintain a 8-22 scoreline going into the break.
The first half tries for the Rhinos were scored by Jack Broadbent, Tom Briscoe and Richie Myler (2) with Rhyse Martin converting three of the tries. With the Salford try coming from Chris Atkins (who converted his own try) and a kicked penalty from Dec Patton.
Five minutes into the second half and players from both sides came together again, with match officials deciding Luke Gale and Ryan Lannon would be sent to the sin bin.
The second half continued and Broadbent crossed the line to score another try, before Martin missed the conversion.
Leeds scored another try with Friday nights All Star players combining for the next try. Rhinos player Matt Prior offloads the ball to Kruise Leeming who flies over the line.
With Gale back on the pitch, he goes over the line to add another four for the Rhinos. Martin converts back-to-back kicks, with the Rhinos leading 8-38.
Morgan Escare was next on the scoreline as he crosses the line to score the first points for Salford in the second half.
The full-time whistle blew at the AJ Bell Stadium and victory for the Rhinos is confirmed.
With both Hurrell and Myler injured and Thompson sent off, manager Richard Agar will have lots of difficult decisions to make with another three fixtures coming in quick succession.
A difficult afternoon however for Salford is finally over, as they suffer a heavy defeat of 12-38 to the Leeds Rhinos. The Red Devils also had three players disciplined on the afternoon and face a nervous wait to hear what the outcome of the inevitable disciplinary meeting is.
Both teams now wait nervously to find out what punishments they face as a result of five bookings during the game, with Leeds hosting Leigh Centurions on Thursday and Salford hosting Wakefield Trinity at the same time.