Super League: Salford Red Devils 16-26 Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield picked up a third Super League win of the season, away to Salford, but injuries to Will Pryce and Ashton Golding could be a concern.
First-half tries to Golding and Owen Trout came either side of Shane Wright's score for the hosts, giving Ian Watson's Giants the half-time lead.
Matt Costello's second-half score reduced arrears for Salford, but Trout stomped over for a crucial second.
Chris McQueen's late try ensured Kallum Watkins' score was mere consolation.
The injuries that the Giants staff will be concerned about came when Pryce went down and had to be helped from the field early in the second 40, while Golding's injury came toward the end of the match, after he pulled up while racing away in space.
"He thinks it's pretty bad," Watson said of the grade two hamstring strain for the latter. "It might be six to eight weeks, which is a bad one. Jermaine McGillvary will probably get an opportunity to come back.
"Prycey is moving around all right. Fingers crossed it's just a ligament twist. He just stepped off and it gave away a bit. We'll know more after having it scanned."
Pryce's dynamism and skill have already attracted the attentions of Australian National Rugby League club Newcastle Knights, who will sign him permanently at the end of the season.
Although ex-Red Devils coach Watson has always underplayed his return to his hometown club, this win will have been particularly sweet.
The Giants were narrowly beaten by Wigan in their last outing but showed some mettle to take on a much-fancied Salford and win on their turf.
It was from a rare Marc-Sneyd error that Golding swooped to score, while Trout's try came from a smart ball by Jake Connor to Kevin Naiqama, who broke the line and delivered the scoring pass.
Trout's route-one second came on the back of tip-toeing feet from Olly Russell, who also contributed 10 points with the boot.
Paul Rowley's Red Devils have been competitive in every game they have played this season, but this loss means back-to-back defeats after the narrow Wigan loss last time out.
The gift for Huddersfield's opener was an unfamiliarly sloppy moment for a side used to striking from deep, but they recovered well for Wright to bustle in on the back of a penalty.
Costello showed acrobatic nerve to fly in at the corner in the second half, and Watkins' effort only gave the scoreline a more flattering look late on.
They too lost key personnel, with winger Joe Burgess withdrawn midway through the match because of a rib injury.
Salford head coach Paul Rowley:
"I thought it was a really good game. We were prepared to bend our back in defence and we were completing up to 90 per cent of our sets. We were disciplined. There was a decent amount of grind in our team, we were comfortable in that area.
"When you look at the difference, we put the ball down and they pick up the scraps to score the first try. But while we're never happy losing, there's a lot to be positive about.
"It was a tussle for pretty much most of the game. We know Huddersfield build a game on field position and being good statistically, and I thought we challenged that today. I thought we challenged them in every area."
Huddersfield boss Ian Watson:
"It was a big result for us. It was a really good, tough game. It was exactly what we expected. Salford are not the underdogs any more, they're capable of competing at the top end of the table.
"They are a team with high-quality players. I thought we were pretty comfortable throughout the game.
"At the back end when we needed to defend our goal-line we were there for each other. I'm really proud of them. All the boys were sensational in their mentality in how they approached the game."
Salford: Brierley; Sio, Cross, Costello, Burgess; Croft, Sneyd; Dupree, Atkin, Ormondroyd, Watkins, Stone, Addy.
Interchanges: Vuniyayawa, Dixon, Wright, Hellewell.
Huddersfield: Pryce; Golding, Marsters, Naiqama, Halsall; Connor, Russell, Hill, Peats, English, McQueen, Rushton, Yates.
Interchanges: Lolohea, Ikahihifo, Trout, Ashworth.
