Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00:00Well, winner of a Grand Slam for 76 years.
00:00:12Well, welcome to main event viewers as well.
00:00:16You'll be happy to see this tonight.
00:00:18I tell you because this is a playoff game
00:00:22with a road to Wembley, road to Old Trafford at stake.
00:00:25Salford against Lee.
00:00:28And the stakes could not be higher
00:00:30and the intensity of the atmosphere
00:00:33is thrilling at the moment.
00:00:34And it's Lee in possession at the moment.
00:00:37Ipape looking left.
00:00:39Lam now.
00:00:41Again, they're searching those flanks
00:00:42but Salford's defence is good enough.
00:00:45Here's Ipape.
00:00:46Spinning it back.
00:00:47Asiata.
00:00:49O'Brien tries to pop one over the top.
00:00:51It's up in the air.
00:00:53And the ref says,
00:00:54knocked on by Laffey.
00:00:56So when Lee regain possession,
00:00:58they get another six tackles here.
00:01:01It's this right edge
00:01:02that seems to be the most threatening part
00:01:05in the open in 18 minutes.
00:01:07We're so used to the ball
00:01:08finding its way over the Charnley's wing.
00:01:10But it's the right edge who's had a couple of
00:01:13examinations.
00:01:16Ipape again.
00:01:17Just marching in.
00:01:18Asiata's to his left,
00:01:19but they go right to O'Brien.
00:01:20O'Brien puts it back.
00:01:21Oh, and it's taken and then dropped by Hanley.
00:01:25McIntosh dragged it out of play
00:01:27just to make sure.
00:01:28No one's going to pick it up and race 80 metres.
00:01:30But Salford have it back again.
00:01:32Right on cue, the right edge.
00:01:34It's a mile of Hanley.
00:01:36Who just gets on the outside, the Tim Laffey.
00:01:41I think Salford would have had it covered.
00:01:45It's a little bit of a chance.
00:01:51They're both making
00:01:53making their mistakes here tonight.
00:01:56This is what's to come, by the way,
00:01:57on the Sky Sports Plus,
00:01:58the NRL preliminary final
00:02:00between the Panthers and the Sharks tomorrow.
00:02:03And then a massive game,
00:02:04massive game tomorrow night,
00:02:06just like this,
00:02:07Warrington against St. Helens.
00:02:09Five o'clock on air, 5.30 kick-off.
00:02:11NRLW as well
00:02:13in the final series
00:02:15over the weekend.
00:02:19Just at the moment,
00:02:20our focus is very much on what is developing
00:02:23before our eyes here.
00:02:25As Lewis
00:02:26hammers it forward for Salford.
00:02:29Still scoreless
00:02:31midway through this first half.
00:02:35You talk to anybody before
00:02:36before the game,
00:02:37whether they've got a foot in either camp
00:02:39or are completely neutral,
00:02:40and they will all tell you,
00:02:41it is so hard to call this.
00:02:43And that is a sneed kick
00:02:46that has put Lee on the back foot.
00:02:47But at least they do have it back again.
00:02:49Well, it just keeps the Leopards
00:02:5185 metres away.
00:02:54Because Lee is so threatening.
00:02:56If you invite them into that final third
00:02:58or that final 20-metre zone,
00:03:00well, you do that at your own peril.
00:03:02A hundred tries,
00:03:03Lee Leopards have scored this season.
00:03:05Mark Snead,
00:03:07such an important role
00:03:08here tonight.
00:03:11Charlotte
00:03:12trying to bring it through.
00:03:15Well, you can see that Lee
00:03:16love at this time of matches.
00:03:18They are the highest scorers,
00:03:19the most prolific scorers of tries
00:03:22between this and the 30th minute
00:03:24in games throughout the season.
00:03:26Nobody's touched them 16.
00:03:27So this is where they are dangerous.
00:03:29Yeah, it's probably down to the physicality
00:03:31and particularly in the middle of the field
00:03:34when you normally feel a game around
00:03:36about this mark,
00:03:37the lungs start burning
00:03:39and perhaps they're the masters of exposing
00:03:41this Masiata.
00:03:43Well met there, good shot as well.
00:03:45Five.
00:03:46So last play, Ipape.
00:03:49Back to Lam.
00:03:50How is his left foot looking?
00:03:51Well, the ball is high.
00:03:52It's not on the spin,
00:03:52but my goodness, is it high.
00:03:54Hankinson positions himself well.
00:03:56Dances away from a couple of defenders.
00:03:59Never really a threat of going a long distance,
00:04:01but my goodness, that is.
00:04:03That's what he started at full-back for tonight.
00:04:06Yeah, he certainly has.
00:04:06His versatility has been huge for Paul Rowley,
00:04:09but it's his carries for me out of backfield
00:04:12that separates him and Brian Brierley.
00:04:14He's more direct, gets sets going.
00:04:17Snead across the line, looking for willing runners.
00:04:20Finds one in Lewis.
00:04:22Three gone, three to go
00:04:24and Salford are just beyond the halfway point.
00:04:28Heads up, eyes open
00:04:29for them at this point.
00:04:31They sense an opportunity,
00:04:32potentially, Singleton's put down.
00:04:35This is Meller, sniping out a dummy half.
00:04:37There's a lucky bounce.
00:04:38There's a hand there,
00:04:39which gives Salford another set of six.
00:04:41And Lee touch.
00:04:43And Callum Watkins,
00:04:44even though his side have got another set,
00:04:46is still taking a bit of a risk with the offload.
00:04:48But that's the way that Salford play.
00:04:51And Hankinson puts down
00:04:5330 out.
00:04:55Meller to that right-hand side.
00:04:58Straight forward effort from Watkins.
00:05:02Absolutely nothing between these two sides
00:05:04as the scoreboard suggests.
00:05:06A chance here down the right edge.
00:05:07Nicarima putting the skates on.
00:05:10Little skittering run of his.
00:05:12Another set of six.
00:05:14Another set restart.
00:05:15Too slow.
00:05:16So Meller looks to set a platform here.
00:05:19Running out and finding a position five meters out.
00:05:22Salford can attack from deep on this left-hand side.
00:05:26Sneed.
00:05:27This is Lewis.
00:05:29Lewis met by three.
00:05:31Who not only pick him up and stop him,
00:05:33but slow him down.
00:05:34Back on the goal line.
00:05:36There go.
00:05:37And it's knocked on by Lewis at the plate of all.
00:05:40And Lee are given a survival ticket.
00:05:44Neither side so far able to take full advantage
00:05:48of where they found themselves.
00:05:50That's a sloppy mistake there from Lewis.
00:05:53The play of the ball just deemed.
00:05:55Only mind you, there's no real separation.
00:05:58Maybe they get away with that one.
00:06:02Jennerbrooks.
00:06:03What are you telling us?
00:06:04I can tell you bad news for the Lee Leopards.
00:06:06Frankie Houghton who went off after eight minutes
00:06:08for a head injury assessment.
00:06:10I've just had confirmation that he has failed
00:06:13that head injury assessment.
00:06:14He is still in fact not out of the dressing room.
00:06:17So it doesn't look good.
00:06:19Well, that is that is bad news.
00:06:21This was early on as we saw the the contact
00:06:24but he was spinning into that the contact with Lafay.
00:06:27So there was no further action against Salford,
00:06:29but it has left Lee a man down in their 17.
00:06:34Remember, they're already missing an influential
00:06:35back row in O'Donnell before the game started.
00:06:38Yeah, the two starting back row is Dave now
00:06:40and that's a neat ball in behind the rook there
00:06:42for Tom O'Mall to speed it up.
00:06:44What a puppy off again.
00:06:46This is Mulhern.
00:06:47Mulhern galloping, galloping into a little bit of space.
00:06:51But they've only one play to go here Lee.
00:06:54So it's likely to be a kick and is with Lam.
00:06:58Spinning it back towards the middle.
00:06:59That's a searching ball.
00:07:01Caught by Snead.
00:07:03It's just a little, a little lowering of the volume,
00:07:06isn't there?
00:07:06And then it lifts again as crosses missed with by Hardacre
00:07:11and the penalties given away by the league player.
00:07:14Just messing around too much there.
00:07:20Decent carry from De Jong Kroos.
00:07:23Just hanging in there too long.
00:07:24Hardacre just not clear in the rook.
00:07:27Penalty given away by De Jong Kroos.
00:07:29Snead finds touch.
00:07:32Salford regroup.
00:07:34With their attacking intentions.
00:07:38And Lee, no.
00:07:40They've got a job on their hands again here.
00:07:43Mellor picks up, comes left.
00:07:46Sandwiched back by Stowe.
00:07:50Mellor wants his play as quickly as possible.
00:07:52Now it comes.
00:07:53And it's a goal.
00:07:54And it's a goal.
00:07:55And it's a goal.
00:07:55And it's a goal.
00:07:56And it's a goal.
00:07:56And it's a goal.
00:07:57And it's a goal.
00:07:57And it's a goal.
00:07:58And it's a goal.
00:07:59And now it comes.
00:08:00Snead.
00:08:02Here's Partington.
00:08:04Capable, of course, of making things happen with the hands as much as the shoulder, isn't he?
00:08:08Ole Partington.
00:08:09Third.
00:08:12Mellor.
00:08:14Snead.
00:08:14Pops it back.
00:08:16Stowe back on the scissors.
00:08:18They're edging closer, but it is only edging at the moment.
00:08:21A couple of plays left in the set.
00:08:24Lewis smashes in.
00:08:26Hit hard, but pushes forward.
00:08:28Here's the last, everyone in that lead defence is looking for this fella because they know
00:08:33that what is coming is that kick and it hangs up there and it's not dealt with by Moylan
00:08:39and it bubbles around and Hankinson drops on the ball and claims a try.
00:08:46Well we knew that Snead's left foot would be involved somewhere tonight, he says no
00:08:52try on the field but this is the first big decision to be made.
00:08:58Black calls no try on the strike, if it is no try we'll come back for the escort.
00:09:02Tries to escort Nene McDonald.
00:09:06OK it's top of five, we've got an on-field call of no try, so we'll check onside, offside
00:09:10from the kick first.
00:09:12So we've got players just to the right of the kicker that's offside, so we'll play this
00:09:17through and check for their involvement.
00:09:19So, moves towards, is there a player in a genuine position to receive the ball?
00:09:36So the referee's identified the escort on field.
00:09:40OK so, there is a player waiting to receive the ball, they stay out the ten, we've then
00:09:51got an escort on field, so we'll lob that and we're now in towards the challenge.
00:09:58Put something tighter on this, this will do us.
00:10:04So we've got an escort on field already.
00:10:08Now who does that come off?
00:10:12In the air.
00:10:16Appears to come off a lead hand, we'll check something from behind if possible, this might
00:10:21tell us more.
00:10:23So jump, fair challenge.
00:10:26That actually comes off the hand of McDonald and goes forward in relation to the ground.
00:10:36I've got a decision.
00:10:39Well it ain't going to be a try by the sound of that, but I think Salford have got second
00:10:44price here, they're going to get a penalty.
00:10:47Video referee ready to deliver, no try.
00:10:52Salford fans temporarily disappointed, but they'll be lifted a little by what comes from
00:10:57the referee's mouth here.
00:10:59Mark Snead will elect for the two there, you just see Lachlan Lamb, just keep your eyes
00:11:05on Neneh McDonald, actually it's Gareth O'Brien I beg your pardon, he knows exactly what he's
00:11:09doing there, he's denying Neneh McDonald a genuine contest for that ball, an obstruction
00:11:15from Mark Snead.
00:11:18He's so reliable with the boot, 89 per cent with it this season, and this is his 110th
00:11:27shot at goal, he's only missed 12.
00:11:31You can imagine, the first points of this play-off in 2024 will go in favour of Salford
00:11:37Red Devils.
00:11:39O'Brien's giving it away really, isn't it, by looking at the man that's coming his way.
00:11:45He knows exactly what he's doing.
00:11:47You can hold your ground, but you can't run into that line and then hold your ground,
00:11:50can you?
00:11:52I don't think there'll be any arguments with that.
00:11:55So Mark Snead, as Kyle says, his goal-kicking has been prolific, the oddest of styles with
00:12:01that 90-degree approach, but it is successful with a near 90 per cent success rate this
00:12:07year.
00:12:09This will be goal 98 if he puts it over, and he has, you'd never doubt it, and Salford
00:12:15are the first to claim points, they lead here by two points to nil.
00:12:1927 minutes on the clock in the play-offs in 2024.
00:12:23And Mark Snead gets the first score, 2-0.
00:12:29He's edging closer to the all-time Super League points scorer's list, he's edging up there
00:12:34as well, eighth at the moment, just behind Lee Brears, 18 points behind Lee Brears is
00:12:38Mark.
00:12:40Do you look back against him achieving that this year?
00:12:42No.
00:12:44I don't.
00:12:46I don't.
00:12:48I don't.
00:12:50I don't.
00:12:51Do you look back against him achieving that this year?
00:12:52No.
00:12:54He'd need another game at least.
00:12:55Yeah.
00:12:57Well, it takes him to 16, to equal Lee Brears.
00:13:06So Salford have it back, and a little bit of a settler on the scoreboard, and Lee looking
00:13:13for a response.
00:13:15Lee will be heartened by the fact that they've had chances inside their opponent's half,
00:13:18haven't they?
00:13:19Well, without doubt, I think both sets of players will be fairly comfortable in this
00:13:24game.
00:13:25They've both had a number of sets down in their opposition's 20-metre zone, but just
00:13:30having came up with anything, and then here, McDonnell, gotta be careful there.
00:13:34Just a little glance, a guilty glance at the referee, didn't he, which might have countered
00:13:39against him, but Salford still keep possession.
00:13:44Snead again, he's behind a 40, but it's just a kick for distance, and Moylan's read that
00:13:48superbly well.
00:13:50Backing into position, a couple of steps as well, and eventually dragged out by Nicarida
00:13:55who came at speed.
00:13:57But Lee again are forced to start from deep inside their own half.
00:14:02They'll have to get used to that.
00:14:05It's Mike Snead there, going early.
00:14:08Moylan read it well, but it'll be Snead that'll just be tasked with kicking that ball for
00:14:12distance, and keeping the Leopards at bay.
00:14:15Leopards at bay.
00:14:17They're almost a different team in this part of the field.
00:14:22A reminder that the losers tonight, that is season over, this is an eliminator after all
00:14:27in the play-offs.
00:14:28Winners will not know where they're going until after tomorrow night's result.
00:14:33Got Warrington against St Helens tomorrow.
00:14:37And if St Helens win that game, then the winners of this are up to Hulkingston Rovers.
00:14:42And if Warrington win that game, then the winners of this are up to Wigan.
00:14:47It's a tough task, whichever way.
00:14:50Wherever the compass takes them.
00:14:5430 minutes play, just the two points.
00:15:00Shortage of thrills and spills there.
00:15:03Mellor collects and scampers, and almost shakes off the attentions of O'Brien.
00:15:10Now it's backed up by MacDonald with the run.
00:15:14MacDonald pinned down, he came from that right-centres to the left-centres position.
00:15:19Seen that so much over the last year or two.
00:15:22Hankinson carries again.
00:15:25One play to go.
00:15:27Snead's intentions are to put pressure on here.
00:15:29Up it goes.
00:15:30Brilliant take.
00:15:31Super take.
00:15:32Super take by Hanna.
00:15:33Absolutely.
00:15:35Under enormous pressure as well.
00:15:37The Salford Red Devils do nothing fancy in that set, but just carry it hard.
00:15:41Staying in the same channel, targeting the right edge of the Leopards.
00:15:44And they rolled them all the way down the field.
00:15:46And Mulhern, that's his 14th carry so far.
00:15:54Hats off to Darnell McIntosh, in fact, underneath that high ball.
00:15:57But again, Lee tasked with trying to just break the door down of this Salford defence.
00:16:03From so deep, Epape running out.
00:16:06Hoping to catch them unawares, but they're ready again.
00:16:09And this is the last.
00:16:10So again, they have to kick from very deep inside their own half.
00:16:13Lamb hoping against Hope, it could drift towards being a 40-20.
00:16:17But instead, it's captured by Ryan.
00:16:19And Ryan brings it back.
00:16:20And Salford start 15 away from the halfway line.
00:16:23Yeah, it's terrific what Salford are doing at the moment.
00:16:26Again, just putting the ball into the corner, but defensively aiming up.
00:16:30And just making sure that Lachlan, Lamb or Mulhern are just kicking the ball deep inside their own half.
00:16:39Miller looking right.
00:16:41Shane Wright is over there.
00:16:45Miller again.
00:16:47Both of his numbers are back on the inside.
00:16:50Partington, no-look pass.
00:16:51I'm not sure why, but he did.
00:16:53And Lewis pushes on.
00:16:55Did you ever...
00:16:56I was going to say, did you ever throw a no-look pass, Kyle?
00:16:58Did you ever intentionally throw a no-look pass?
00:17:01Me?
00:17:03Partington onto Stowe.
00:17:05No, I didn't have the skill for that, Dave.
00:17:07Five away.
00:17:10Back to Snead again.
00:17:12It's relentless.
00:17:13On the end of that left boot.
00:17:15Hoisted.
00:17:16Bounces offside, surely.
00:17:19Yep.
00:17:21It's going to be...
00:17:22Well, an accidental offside is given, so it's a handover rather than a penalty.
00:17:25The point is, they're making this into a lottery.
00:17:28Just look at the amount of numbers.
00:17:30And if they keep doing that,
00:17:32surely,
00:17:34surely one of them will favour a bounce for Salford.
00:17:40Back to Charlie.
00:17:41Charlie's rarely had the ball outside his own 30 metres
00:17:46in this opening stretch of the...
00:17:48Off the ground, it's passed.
00:17:50That was important because it's given them a bit of extra room.
00:17:53But look at that.
00:17:54It is Terrier-like.
00:17:56Off the ground, it's passed.
00:17:58That was important because it's given them a bit of extra room.
00:18:01But look at that.
00:18:02It is Terrier-like.
00:18:04It's a controlled frenzy
00:18:06that Salford are playing with at the moment in defence.
00:18:09It's an intensity in defence, Dave.
00:18:11That's what it is.
00:18:12Again, I mentioned heading the play.
00:18:14Tim Laffey knows that there's a chance there.
00:18:17Oh, that looked like a knock-on from Epape.
00:18:19Referee's giving him the benefit of the doubt.
00:18:22And Lee are running it, even though it is the last play.
00:18:26Lutelli now will welly it downfield,
00:18:28but not as far as he would have hoped.
00:18:30And back it comes from Ryan.
00:18:31And back comes Salford again.
00:18:36The Red Devils are rampaging at the moment.
00:18:38Yeah, you just get a sense the last ten minutes
00:18:40has thoroughly belonged to Salford Red Devils.
00:18:44They're just playing in a bit more intensity,
00:18:46a bit more direct.
00:18:49Miller's got time to have a look around,
00:18:51because this is a slow play-the-ball.
00:18:53Controlled rook from Lee.
00:18:55Henkinson.
00:18:59Miller.
00:19:01Comes up again.
00:19:02One of those startling little runs he loves to go on.
00:19:05He's gone out from nine a couple of times,
00:19:07it just shows you the Red Devils are winning the rook.
00:19:10Epape works well there, double effort.
00:19:14So here comes the last.
00:19:15Back with Snead.
00:19:16You hardly need anybody to tell you that.
00:19:18This time it's drilled low,
00:19:20and, well, really carefully done by McIntosh.
00:19:23He's done really well again there.
00:19:25He's been on point so far.
00:19:27He's dealt with high kicks, low kicks to the ground,
00:19:29and then has the smarts to get out of the in-goal area.
00:19:31But just look what Salford do here now, Dave.
00:19:34Here comes the frenzy again in defence.
00:19:37Look at this.
00:19:38They're fighting for every yard.
00:19:40That is brilliant, that is astonishing.
00:19:42Unbelievable.
00:19:44Three tackles in, and Lee are dragged back behind their own line,
00:19:48into their own in-goal area.
00:19:50Salford are winning this on points by a distance,
00:19:52and now they have a chance to deliver a potential knockout blow here,
00:19:56with a drop-out which will give them another attacking opportunity.
00:20:00This will be pleasing for Rowley,
00:20:02just to get in the boot of Snead,
00:20:04and the intensity, the commitment, and the desire
00:20:08to drag him back ten metres of salt
00:20:11and get six more here inside the final five minutes.
00:20:15And Salford are coming here.
00:20:17They really are.
00:20:18The level of fitness required for this.
00:20:21And again we point to last week when Paul Rowley gave this set of players
00:20:25a week off in that final league game.
00:20:27They're refreshed after a fortnight's holiday,
00:20:30and boy are they showing it here tonight.
00:20:32So far.
00:20:34A big collision in centre field.
00:20:37Go on.
00:20:40Meller's inside ball for Partington.
00:20:43Totters forward another yard or two.
00:20:46Lee's tank must be running towards empty,
00:20:49with four minutes of the first half remaining.
00:20:51They are desperate for that hooter to sound,
00:20:53and for them not to concede,
00:20:55but Stern steps back on the inside,
00:20:57testing the resolve of those Leopards defenders.
00:20:59They get there, they drag him down,
00:21:01but there's more to come.
00:21:03Meller, he's having a look.
00:21:05But all he can see is a big shadow of Rod Mulhern looming over him.
00:21:11So here it comes again.
00:21:12This time it's Wright,
00:21:15who can see the line,
00:21:16but he can also feel the presence of four defenders.
00:21:20So they have to go back ten metres and play it again.
00:21:27Played again by Wright.
00:21:28Sneeds a kick.
00:21:29Charnley has to track it.
00:21:31Brilliantly done.
00:21:32Landed in the end goal area,
00:21:34but the referee said jump from the field of play,
00:21:36so Lee are forced to do it hard again.
00:21:39What is Salford's response going to be like again here?
00:21:42It's another exceptional kick from Sneed,
00:21:44but a great take this time from Josh Charnley.
00:21:46And let's credit the Leopards defence,
00:21:48they just keep turning him away.
00:21:50But they hit again with three red shirts.
00:21:53This is epic at the moment.
00:21:55And if Lee survive this,
00:21:57if they do get through this,
00:21:59how much do they take into the half-time
00:22:03dressing-room talks,
00:22:05knowing that they have gone through this
00:22:07and not given up land?
00:22:11Every single combo.
00:22:14Lambs looking for a 40-20.
00:22:17They're just happy to put Salford back inside their own half
00:22:21by a distance.
00:22:22And Hankinson, and it's the worst start to a set
00:22:25Salford have had for a long time.
00:22:27Neat kick.
00:22:28Long kick as well.
00:22:29It needed to be,
00:22:31as Ethan Ryan just looks to try and find the defender
00:22:34and generate some kind of ruck speed.
00:22:36Nadeka does a good job there.
00:22:39Now cross.
00:22:42Here we go.
00:22:43Miller steps in quickly,
00:22:44sees an opportunity to get things rolling again.
00:22:47It's him that does the rolling.
00:22:51Two plays to go.
00:22:53McDonald coming left,
00:22:55shows Lee the ball,
00:22:56and then shows them the bumpers.
00:22:59As he tries to crash through.
00:23:01This will be the last.
00:23:02Nicarina inside.
00:23:04Sneed.
00:23:05Up it goes.
00:23:07Moylan's underneath it,
00:23:08and...
00:23:09Oh!
00:23:10Well, he's caught it and bounced down.
00:23:12He was behind the dead ball line when he took it,
00:23:15in the in-goal area, I should say,
00:23:17and that has given Lee this massive relief
00:23:19at the end of this half
00:23:21because they take the tap.
00:23:22It's a seven-tackle count,
00:23:24and they are going to get back in Salford territory here.
00:23:27Well, if it's not McIntosh or Charnley,
00:23:29this time it's Moylan,
00:23:31under pressure from Sneed,
00:23:32off his own kick,
00:23:33and races away.
00:23:35Catches the ball in the in-goal,
00:23:37a seven-tackle set,
00:23:38and just look where they are here now, Dave.
00:23:41Could the Leopards hit Salford
00:23:43with an almighty hammer blow
00:23:45inside the final 50, 60 seconds?
00:23:48There's Hardeka.
00:23:50What a sucker punch this would be
00:23:51if Lee were to breach this Salford line,
00:23:54having soaked up so much intensity,
00:23:56and so much pressure,
00:23:58and they're creeping into position.
00:24:01Ipape,
00:24:02left it goes,
00:24:03quickly on by Asiata,
00:24:05now it's with Lahm,
00:24:06now it's Moylan,
00:24:07into the hands of Lutelli,
00:24:08Salford's defence turns to scramble
00:24:11in alarm
00:24:13because Lee are asking questions.
00:24:15Lahm puts a flat kick in,
00:24:17Hardeka takes it,
00:24:18offers it away again,
00:24:19O'Brien on to Hanley,
00:24:20Hanley with a step,
00:24:21Sneed's all over him,
00:24:23Hanley gets it away,
00:24:24Ipape now picks it up off the bounce,
00:24:26he tries to squeeze back in,
00:24:28they're keeping it alive,
00:24:29thrillingly again,
00:24:30here's Hardeka,
00:24:31Hardeka now,
00:24:32kicking a chase,
00:24:33but there's nobody really chasing him,
00:24:35Black,
00:24:36oh, it's a mix-up,
00:24:38but Hankinson drops on it in the end.
00:24:41Wow.
00:24:43What a finish this could have been
00:24:45to the first half.
00:24:48I thought Hankinson
00:24:50took a tumble there,
00:24:52and he did,
00:24:53and it was Ethan Wray,
00:24:54and I'm not sure what on earth
00:24:56Chris Hankinson was thinking there.
00:24:58I think he heard John Wilkinson allergy
00:25:00about the karate kid before the game
00:25:02because he was trying so hard,
00:25:03a karate kid,
00:25:04to kick it clear.
00:25:05That has been astonishing,
00:25:06utterly astonishing.
00:25:0840 minutes of defence from both sides
00:25:10at each end of the field,
00:25:12an intensity that is so hard to match,
00:25:15and guess what,
00:25:16we've got another 40 minutes to come,
00:25:18and it's separation only by a Sneed goal,
00:25:21it is Salford 2-0 at half-time.
00:25:25Well, Chris Hankinson may have had early designs
00:25:28on a place at Old Trafford.
00:25:30If they are victorious here,
00:25:32they will still have to negotiate a semi-final
00:25:35before they can put eyes on a grand final.
00:25:37Well, it's ended with an onslaught on the lead line,
00:25:40Salford getting on top at the end of that first half.
00:25:43Plenty to discuss, though, at half-time
00:25:45in the company of John Wilkinson and Sam Tompkins.
00:25:52Focus can win.
00:25:53I can sort of see that being Salford now
00:25:55on that first half performance,
00:25:57so it might flip-flop.
00:25:59OK, he's jump-chipped, John Wilkins.
00:26:02Let's get to Jenna Tunnelside
00:26:04for some half-time team news.
00:26:06Jenna.
00:26:07Yeah, thanks, Brian.
00:26:08I spoke to both coaches,
00:26:09Adrian Lance called it a tough, good game of rugby league.
00:26:12He has asked his players to be patient
00:26:14when they get field position,
00:26:16and he's also said that they must continue
00:26:18to put pressure on Mark Sneed.
00:26:20As far as Paul Rowley goes, he will hopefully have it,
00:26:23despite having that 2-0 lead at the break.
00:26:26He just wants them to keep going,
00:26:27keep working hard and focus on defence.
00:26:30But this second half is about to get underway,
00:26:32so over to you, Dave Woods and Kyle Aymor.
00:26:35Thank you, Jenna.
00:26:36Well, a first half that was chaotic and thrilling.
00:26:40Live sport doesn't have to be perfect
00:26:42to give us real entertainment,
00:26:44and we've been really entertained so far in this game,
00:26:47Kyle Aymor.
00:26:48I reckon the boots of Sneed
00:26:49is still going to be instrumental in this game as well.
00:26:51Yeah, I just think Sam Tomkins again,
00:26:53he mentioned about over eight kicks.
00:26:56Well, he's got far more than that already,
00:26:58and I just believe that if he keeps probing,
00:27:00he keeps asking that question,
00:27:02and he's able to do that,
00:27:03down that end of the field,
00:27:04one of those kicks, Dave, will come up trumps,
00:27:07and it might only be that one moment
00:27:09that separates these two.
00:27:11But Lee have got so much in their locker as well.
00:27:13Without doubt.
00:27:14I actually think that if the Lee Leopards
00:27:15had as much ball as they did at Salford's line,
00:27:17than Salford did at Lee,
00:27:18then perhaps it would be a scoreboard
00:27:20that was in favour of the Leopards.
00:27:22But credit where credit is due,
00:27:23Salford just managed that half much better
00:27:26than the Lee Leopards.
00:27:27This is going to be tough on the nerves,
00:27:29tough and tense in this second half,
00:27:32but when it comes to playoff rugby league,
00:27:33nothing comes easy.
00:27:35So this is going to be a next step
00:27:38on the potential journey to Old Trafford
00:27:41that is going to be hard to take
00:27:42for one of these two sides.
00:27:45Remember, eliminate a game,
00:27:46lose us, that's it.
00:27:48Game over.
00:27:49So in some cases, career over.
00:27:51Certainly career at the club they're at over.
00:27:53But to the winners, the chance to move
00:27:56to within 80 minutes of a grand final.
00:28:00But with a big obstacle ahead next week, of course.
00:28:03Salford with a first touch of the ball
00:28:05in this second period.
00:28:07And a chance to just get themselves downfield
00:28:09as quickly as they possibly can.
00:28:12And they're keeping it alive here.
00:28:14And Lee know already that their work is on.
00:28:17And the Red Devils find themselves
00:28:19five away from that halfway line.
00:28:22A little pick up and a push again.
00:28:25But not too much further.
00:28:28From MacDonald's point of view.
00:28:30Scramble to his feet.
00:28:33Mella throws it left.
00:28:34This is the six.
00:28:35Here comes Snead's boot.
00:28:36And again, the spin on that is something to behold.
00:28:39It just spins perfectly in the air.
00:28:42Moylan catches.
00:28:43Safely enough has created a bit of space for himself as well.
00:28:46But couldn't quite push through for the ultimate rewards.
00:28:49But Lee started from a little bit of an easier position
00:28:52than they might have been.
00:28:53Yeah, terrific work there from the full-back Moylan.
00:28:56He's able to poke his nose half through.
00:28:59And it allows Josh Charnley to take a carry.
00:29:02It's McIntosh now who's almost at the centre of the field.
00:29:06But they're still 25 metres away from their own end.
00:29:09And then Mulhern now carries into contact.
00:29:12And Salford answer up.
00:29:15Things are settling down in the crowd as well.
00:29:17The noise deafening at times in that first half.
00:29:19They loved it.
00:29:20Everybody inside the ground was enjoying it.
00:29:24And it'll lift again as the intensity lifts as well.
00:29:28With a kick from behind the 40,
00:29:30but just belting it right down at the middle.
00:29:33Interesting to note as well, still Hankinson at full-back.
00:29:38That tactical decision from coach Paul Rowley
00:29:41to leave Briley on the bench.
00:29:44I wonder how long before we see him emerge.
00:29:47I'm not too sure we might even see him at all, if I'm honest.
00:29:51Hankinson's doing everything right so far.
00:29:54And the game hasn't really opened up
00:29:56where Briley's biggest threat is his support player,
00:29:59his ability to get on the end of things.
00:30:01And there hasn't really been too much joy for that at this moment, Dave.
00:30:05Right inside the Lee half, Mellor pushes away one,
00:30:09but then loses his footing.
00:30:12So has to take the tackle.
00:30:14This is Partington.
00:30:15Once again.
00:30:16Again it's Snead.
00:30:18Again it's high.
00:30:19And betwixt, between full-back and winger.
00:30:22And the bounce is helpful as well for the attacking team.
00:30:25And Moylan is stopped right there by the chasing Jadon Nicarima.
00:30:30And Lee have to start.
00:30:31Did that look high?
00:30:32It did, from up here.
00:30:34Yeah.
00:30:35Referee's been given a late call, either from his touch judge or the video rep,
00:30:38to say that was a high one.
00:30:40And Lee get the penalty.
00:30:42Lee needed that, they really did.
00:30:44Inside the opening three minutes.
00:30:48And now McIntosh just goes in at dummy half.
00:30:52And just carries into Nene MacDonald, and it's a little...
00:30:56There's no real force in that.
00:30:59And I'm sorry, it's not that kind of play that we want to see,
00:31:02from the players lying down there.
00:31:04Yes, he's got a winning side, a penalty, there's no doubt about that.
00:31:08Well, there's nothing to add to the penalty,
00:31:10so again we stay at 13 apiece, which again is a relief.
00:31:15And Lee...
00:31:1820 from the halfway line, with a chance to advance for the first time
00:31:21properly in this second half.
00:31:23Yeah, but again it's the boot from Snead.
00:31:25Another penalty, back-to-back penalties here.
00:31:27And I think it's Nene MacDonald involved again.
00:31:32Well, penalty, penalty, puts Lee in a very good position in this next set.
00:31:38And that one, just a little late footwork there from MacDonald.
00:31:43And from Letelli Rava.
00:31:46And a high shot there, and the ball comes loose.
00:31:49It's a good touch finder as well by O'Brien,
00:31:52taking his side, 15 inside the Salford half.
00:31:56And Hughes with that initial carry to settle things down for his side,
00:32:00to give them a platform to work from.
00:32:02Ipape.
00:32:05Seata pumping it out now, back to O'Brien again,
00:32:07and a skip back towards the middle by Handley,
00:32:10but again maybe the stubs aren't long enough,
00:32:12footing's being lost a little in this second period.
00:32:15Hardacre takes it on, pushing forward.
00:32:19And tackles in the back, plenty of them as well here for Lee.
00:32:22Encouraging for their coach.
00:32:24Ipape out, went right, comes left.
00:32:27Tries to spin it away, can't do so.
00:32:29Too much body movement in his way from those in red.
00:32:33Hardacre, Seata, inside for Mulhern,
00:32:36who makes one of those runs which he's renowned for.
00:32:39Half-breaking, getting it away as well.
00:32:42Here comes the last play, Lamna with a couple of dummies,
00:32:45then throws Letelli and Chandley.
00:32:47Chandley back on the inside, Moylan picks up a scraggy ball,
00:32:50St. Salford's defence scrambling around.
00:32:53The little kick, and Hankinson takes his time,
00:32:57but does his job in the end.
00:33:00Well, the Leopards just keep it alive.
00:33:03It's Rick Letelli's left boot, the chase from Chandley.
00:33:06It just does enough to spook the right edge of Salford,
00:33:10Hankinson and Ethan Ryan.
00:33:12And Hankinson just backs that ball away.
00:33:15But the left edge is coming.
00:33:17There's a warning shot there.
00:33:20For Lee now, they have to try and keep down this end of the field.
00:33:24They've been starved of field position for pretty much most of the first half,
00:33:28and it's the first opportunity, and they're gonna get one more here.
00:33:32Long spells, Lee had to defend on their own line,
00:33:36and now they have an opportunity to turn the tables
00:33:39and ask questions of the Red Devils,
00:33:42because they get a repeat set to have a go at Salford's defence.
00:33:48Ipape.
00:33:50And Seata helps it on again.
00:33:53Trout showing a pass, not delivering it,
00:33:57and taking it in.
00:33:59Ipape again, running it back,
00:34:01and again they are threatening that line.
00:34:04Again taking it right in there, and Seata bounces up,
00:34:08and if we encourage it to get up as quickly as possible.
00:34:11Trout spinning for a moment,
00:34:15looks as though he might be able to get the arm free for the offload,
00:34:17but doesn't, wasn't able to.
00:34:19Ipape, O'Brien, sees those to his right,
00:34:22all blocked by Salford defenders coming out,
00:34:24so he tries a solo effort, and they've only one to go.
00:34:28Hardacre, right foot step, flicks it back,
00:34:31Ipape, threads it between the eye of the needle,
00:34:33and again it takes some recovery work, this time from Cross,
00:34:36to defuse the threat,
00:34:38and it should be another Lee attack coming here on the back of this dropout.
00:34:42Well, Lee just flipping this game on its head,
00:34:45and doing exactly what Salford did for the last 15 minutes of that half,
00:34:50and it's just applying pressure through neat kicks,
00:34:53and it's Hardacre with a terrific offload for Ipape,
00:34:57who just rolls it through and makes it into a competition.
00:35:00Leon Cross there, heading the game, bats it away,
00:35:03for the third set in a row now, coming up for the Red Devils.
00:35:08Sneeds, Boot, looking to send this ball as far downfield,
00:35:12and as close to the touchline as possible as well,
00:35:15but it's not an awkward bounce,
00:35:16so Lamb, able to collect, and Mulhern will carry it back towards the middle,
00:35:20and Salford's intensity of defence looking to lift again.
00:35:24Masiata, and here's Trout,
00:35:27and Trout, just on that angle, almost squeezing his way through,
00:35:31but Salford rediscovering their form in that moment.
00:35:37Ipape, Hardacre with a carry, taking it in.
00:35:44Ipape waits again, spinning it left,
00:35:48Masiata on the leap, back on the inside as well,
00:35:51O'Brien is nailed, the moment he got the ball.
00:35:54So can't carry on, Ipape now, this is Lamb,
00:35:58Lamb, oh he's passed to no one, and it's dropped on.
00:36:02Wallian drops on it, Salford get it back.
00:36:05That's a huge win for the Red Devils,
00:36:07but the attack again from Lee was clunky.
00:36:13We don't often see this, particularly down that left side.
00:36:17Well, neither side so far able to take advantage of field position,
00:36:21but hats off to both defences for their intensity.
00:36:25In big games, Dave, you have to be able to ice your big opportunities.
00:36:30And that one, it's just a gift for Ethan Ryan to dive on the loose ball.
00:36:35And it's Salford now, moving forward, Singleton.
00:36:38Singleton on the carry, on the charge.
00:36:42Mellor knows the next is the last,
00:36:44so out it goes to Snead, and Snead just looking for the corner,
00:36:47game management there just puts it out of play,
00:36:49gives Lee the ball back, but in as uncomfortable a position as possible.
00:36:53Mellor just takes the sting out of the game,
00:36:56puts that ball 15 metres away.
00:37:02From the visitors' goal line.
00:37:08Calm down again, everybody.
00:37:12Half an hour to sort this one out, maybe longer.
00:37:14Golden point extra time might be employed as well tonight.
00:37:18Both sides will be relatively optimistic about that scenario,
00:37:21with Mark Snead on the Salford side,
00:37:23Lee having never lost a golden point extra time.
00:37:2850 minutes in and Robbie Mulholland takes a breather,
00:37:30and on comes Aaron Appenna.
00:37:33Big direct ball, carrying forward.
00:37:36First touch for him.
00:37:38This is Ipape.
00:37:41Working hard.
00:37:42Lamb.
00:37:44O'Brien, quick hands from Mulholland.
00:37:46And now Hanley will take it on, and at some pace as well,
00:37:49and Snead watching him and shepherding him,
00:37:51and that is lost, but it's a penalty.
00:37:54Ball steal, two in the tackle, one pinged it clear,
00:37:58and Lee get a penalty to give themselves a great position again.
00:38:02It's Deion Cross.
00:38:05Who just makes a play for the ball here.
00:38:08Milo Hanley and Snead, and just rips it there with Snead with his hands on him.
00:38:12That's two-in-one in the tackle.
00:38:17Well, they're taking their time here, Lee.
00:38:19Knowing that the ball is in their hands, quite literally.
00:38:24And knowing that they can, with a little bit of control,
00:38:27can build something special in this next few plays.
00:38:33Hardacre setting the platform with that carry.
00:38:39Ipape.
00:38:41Asiata across the line.
00:38:42This is Pene, one of the freshest pairs of legs on the field at the moment.
00:38:49Pene held up, wants to play it quickly.
00:38:51Moylan comes here on this left-hand side into a pocket of defenders,
00:38:55it's gone to ground, the referee says play on,
00:38:57and suddenly McDonnell's got a chance to race downfield.
00:39:01Pene's after him, McDonnell's looking for support,
00:39:04Ryan not quite within passable range,
00:39:06but Salford now are flooding forward,
00:39:08and the referee will take them all the way back,
00:39:11and say it was in fact a knock-on by Salford.
00:39:16And Lee should get it back.
00:39:18Obviously Jack Smith, I think he's had a word in his ear there,
00:39:20Moylan goes to the line and just throws the ball,
00:39:23and you can see that it hits Nene McDonnell's left hand,
00:39:28and goes forward before it ends up hitting his boot.
00:39:32You just see the motion goes back there,
00:39:34and then his left foot, and the correct call.
00:39:40Well Nene McDonnell did look round, didn't he?
00:39:42He kind of looked round at the referee to say,
00:39:44am I okay to play on?
00:39:46And at that moment he was.
00:39:48But as you say, the touch judge intervening.
00:39:54He had clear vision, if the referee didn't.
00:39:57You can understand from that angle why the ref maybe couldn't see it,
00:40:00but the touch judge was on hand.
00:40:05So we're back at this end of the field again.
00:40:10The assault continues here, Dev.
00:40:14There's the Leopards here.
00:40:16Just have more and more play of the balls inside their opposition 20.
00:40:21Their attack hasn't been where it needs to be.
00:40:24But it will click if you keep inviting them down this end of the field.
00:40:28There's no doubt about it.
00:40:30Tries for fun this season for the Lee Leopards.
00:40:35Well there's a bit of a delay here,
00:40:37because in back play Aaron Penny was being treated.
00:40:40He's got a big bandage around his head now,
00:40:42so the referee held things up to allow him to get back involved.
00:40:48He's okay.
00:40:49So here we go.
00:40:51Salford having to defend.
00:40:53Lee with a chance on the point of attack
00:40:57to try and get the first points of the night.
00:41:00Land that first man in.
00:41:01Ipape.
00:41:03Tenor dances left.
00:41:05Penny was there.
00:41:06Ipape tried to do some magic on his own.
00:41:09Too many good defenders to stop that happening.
00:41:13Again it's short.
00:41:14Again the defence is honest and good.
00:41:18Ipape.
00:41:20Has to wait a while.
00:41:22Spun back to Moylan.
00:41:23Moylan now.
00:41:24Lutelli.
00:41:25And Charlie for the corner.
00:41:26And Josh Charlie.
00:41:29For the first try of the night.
00:41:34Lee fans are going berserk.
00:41:36Lee players are going berserk.
00:41:39For all the pressure that they soaked up in the first half.
00:41:43It's they who have the lead with 12 minutes of the second half play.
00:41:49Josh Charlie scores.
00:41:51Josh Charlie scores a try
00:41:54in the playoffs for season 2024.
00:41:57The first one.
00:41:59And it was coming.
00:42:01I mentioned you cannot give this Lee outfit
00:42:04that much ball
00:42:05that many chances
00:42:07before they nail it.
00:42:11And he's now in second place
00:42:14as Super League's top try scorer
00:42:17in the history of Super League.
00:42:20Well there's the error
00:42:21from Nene MacDonald
00:42:23before Moylan gets it and has his moment.
00:42:26The out ball there.
00:42:27Lutelli does so well.
00:42:28And Josh Charlie
00:42:30scores his fourth try in the last five games.
00:42:32And nudges
00:42:34a try ahead of Danny Maguire.
00:42:37But crucially
00:42:41sends maybe
00:42:43Lee
00:42:44into week two of the playoffs.
00:42:47Well it's an early call
00:42:48but in a low scoring game
00:42:49it's a crucial moment.
00:42:52There's still plenty of time on the clock
00:42:54but just look what it means to Adrian Lam.
00:42:58And we haven't seen many opportunities
00:43:00and you can see that.
00:43:02248 tries now.
00:43:05That will be up there
00:43:06as one of the most important.
00:43:08You think?
00:43:09Well he had to wait.
00:43:10He had to wait a long, long time in the game.
00:43:13But as soon as he got that ball there
00:43:15the wonderful outline
00:43:16from Lutelli and Moylan.
00:43:19Moylan's kick is missed.
00:43:22So it remains a two points difference
00:43:25but it swings the way back
00:43:27It remains a two points difference
00:43:29but it swings the way of Lee
00:43:31on the back of that
00:43:33Charlie history making try.
00:43:37The line from Ricci Lutelli
00:43:40to just get on that sweeping line
00:43:42and engage Ethan Ryan.
00:43:45And the pass there for Charlie
00:43:47in front of those Lee faithful.
00:43:53This is time here on this stadium
00:43:55that has prevented him
00:43:57from being the all time leading try scorer
00:43:59a couple of years with sale here
00:44:01didn't he at this ground?
00:44:02Yeah.
00:44:03I think if those had been spent in rugby league
00:44:04he'd be clear of the field by a distance.
00:44:1033 year old
00:44:12he's still got time.
00:44:14He isn't slowing up is he?
00:44:16A fine athlete
00:44:17and a prolific try scorer.
00:44:20The strike rate even
00:44:2225% better
00:44:24per game
00:44:25than that of Danny Maguire.
00:44:31There's never any doubt is there?
00:44:32You know there are certain wingers
00:44:33you know are going to score
00:44:35given that situation
00:44:36and he's one of them.
00:44:37Yeah.
00:44:47And he knows how important that is
00:44:50from his team's point of view
00:44:51but he'll know at the back of his mind
00:44:53how important it is
00:44:54from his own point of view as well.
00:44:57Six behind Ryan Hall
00:44:59that chase goes into next year as well
00:45:01they both have contracts
00:45:04John Lee here
00:45:05Hall at Leeds
00:45:07so that's a story that will continue to be told
00:45:09but just at the moment
00:45:11it's all about taking footsteps
00:45:12towards Old Trafford.
00:45:16And Lee are just about
00:45:18noses in front
00:45:21but still a long way to go.
00:45:24Ipape
00:45:28Lam back to O'Brien
00:45:29and here's Hardacre
00:45:34scrambles up
00:45:35Ipape goes running out
00:45:36but loses his footing as he does so.
00:45:38A number of players there
00:45:39slipping
00:45:41this evening.
00:45:45Still heavy
00:45:47carry forward again
00:45:48that has
00:45:49taken lead to within about
00:45:50five of that halfway line
00:45:52but
00:45:53as Asiata picks himself up
00:45:54he knows it's going to have to be
00:45:55a kick down field
00:45:56from O'Brien
00:45:57and Hankinson
00:45:58on his fingertips
00:46:00on his fingertips
00:46:03It was well to regather that
00:46:04as Hankinson
00:46:06with a decent kick from Gareth O'Brien
00:46:09crosses joining in the front
00:46:11trying to help his team downfield
00:46:12but it's Lee's turn
00:46:13to step up the intensity
00:46:15when the opposition have the ball
00:46:17Laffey's gone
00:46:18ranging down that right hand side
00:46:20and
00:46:21just pushes O'Brien
00:46:22out of the way
00:46:23but there were more there
00:46:24to wrap him up
00:46:26he's lost none of his physicality this
00:46:30Another two point ball game
00:46:33everything still on the line here
00:46:35Singleton
00:46:36thought about the pass
00:46:37rolls off the shoulder
00:46:39of Ipape
00:46:40not many do that
00:46:41he usually connects
00:46:44and this will be the last in the set
00:46:46slow
00:46:47very slow
00:46:48so pressure immediately
00:46:49going to be applied
00:46:50to Snead
00:46:51but he gets it away
00:46:52before Penne can get close
00:46:54Moylan again
00:46:55reads it well
00:46:56drops it back inside
00:46:57for Charlie
00:46:58Charlie trying to push his way through
00:46:59this is the other side of his job
00:47:01getting it downfield
00:47:02as quickly as possible
00:47:05reaching the grab
00:47:07by McIntosh
00:47:08inside for Hanley
00:47:12Papi Nguyenian
00:47:14Donny Half gets in there again
00:47:16McIntosh
00:47:18heavy carry from him
00:47:21it's been a settled back line
00:47:22this last few weeks
00:47:23hasn't it for Lee
00:47:24all playing their part
00:47:25Penne
00:47:30O'Brien goes for the kick
00:47:31Snead knew it was coming
00:47:32so applied a bit of pressure
00:47:33so maybe not the end result
00:47:35that O'Brien would have wanted
00:47:37but the chase is good
00:47:38and Ipape
00:47:39and Moylan
00:47:40rounding up their man
00:47:43Hankinson make no more than five yards
00:47:45before he's cut down
00:47:46mercilessly
00:47:51move together Zach
00:47:53Mellor's across
00:47:55Snead
00:47:56slow to get back
00:47:57behind the play of the ball
00:47:58just reserving a little bit of energy
00:47:59lapped by
00:48:01Singleton the latest
00:48:02and last
00:48:03Salford player
00:48:04to get behind the play of the ball
00:48:06and what he's now
00:48:07tackle three
00:48:09halfway through
00:48:12Mellor
00:48:14Partington
00:48:15at speed
00:48:16and great offload
00:48:17and Mellor goes
00:48:18skipping through
00:48:19running around
00:48:20who would have heard
00:48:21Nicarima's shout
00:48:22but couldn't find him
00:48:23there was a moment of brilliance
00:48:24there with the hands
00:48:26from Partington
00:48:27and then Mellor
00:48:28but it leaves Salford
00:48:29still wanting
00:48:30and on the last
00:48:31the kick is from
00:48:32Nicarima
00:48:34Moylan
00:48:35catches it infield
00:48:37so has the hard labour
00:48:38of yards to make
00:48:40and Salford up there
00:48:41to meet and match
00:48:42perfect kick there
00:48:43from Jayden Nicarima
00:48:45and Moylan was wanting
00:48:46the try line to be his friend
00:48:49and Josh Charlie
00:48:50does well there
00:48:51buys another few more metres
00:48:54and Dwyer now
00:48:55talk about speeding up the rook
00:48:56his ability to get out
00:48:57and cause havoc
00:48:59and that's the ace
00:49:00up their sleeve isn't it
00:49:02and Pape's done big minutes
00:49:03but when suddenly
00:49:04Dwyer comes on
00:49:05they've got that
00:49:06that spark
00:49:07that unpredictability
00:49:11so Dwyer with Pape
00:49:12still there
00:49:13in the middle
00:49:14still directing things
00:49:15but in a different way
00:49:16and sees the gap
00:49:17and halfway through
00:49:18he's got Hartacre for company
00:49:20Hartacre's to his right hand side
00:49:21he goes wider still
00:49:23and O'Brien will score
00:49:25oh that's a brilliance
00:49:27Lee have sprung the trap
00:49:30in an absolute fabulous manner
00:49:33they score one
00:49:34they've now got a second
00:49:36is this
00:49:37incredible Lee journey
00:49:39set to go
00:49:40another week
00:49:48big moments in big games
00:49:51so often define the outcome
00:49:54and it was a slip
00:49:56it was a slip
00:49:57from a salted red devil
00:49:58in the middle of the field
00:50:00and there was nothing on
00:50:02nothing on at all
00:50:03for Pape
00:50:06but as soon
00:50:07as Partington slips
00:50:10Pape races away
00:50:11you thought it was a catch
00:50:12and pass for Hartacre
00:50:13but the ball over the top there
00:50:15and O'Brien
00:50:17he sends the Lee Leopard fans
00:50:19into delirium
00:50:22and what a run this is
00:50:23from the PNG International
00:50:27Gareth O'Brien
00:50:29on his fourth try
00:50:30of this season
00:50:33well it's just the subtlety
00:50:34of the switch
00:50:35of hooking rolls
00:50:36isn't it?
00:50:37pivot rolls
00:50:38and
00:50:39well Salford fans will remember
00:50:40Gareth O'Brien
00:50:41keeping them in
00:50:42at Super League
00:50:43not that long ago
00:50:44with his drop goal
00:50:45that sunk
00:50:46Hulkingston Rovers
00:50:47in that incredible
00:50:48golden point
00:50:49extra time match
00:50:51but today
00:50:52he's come back
00:50:53to haunt them
00:50:54and that could be
00:50:55a big moment
00:50:56in knocking them
00:50:57out
00:50:58of this year's playoffs
00:50:59Moylan's taking no time
00:51:01over it goes
00:51:02and suddenly
00:51:03the lead
00:51:04is 10
00:51:05points to 2
00:51:06with an hour play
00:51:15and Papier
00:51:17just spots
00:51:18a gap
00:51:19straightens up
00:51:20and there's a slip
00:51:22and you have to feel
00:51:23for Partington
00:51:25the Leopards just
00:51:26flood through
00:51:28and O'Brien
00:51:29you mentioned that
00:51:30drop goal in
00:51:312016
00:51:32and 8 years on
00:51:35they're 8 points away
00:51:37into the final quarter
00:51:40well rolling
00:51:41into week 2 Dave
00:51:42when the chips are down
00:51:43you bring on
00:51:44your trump card
00:51:45potentially
00:51:46Ryan Briley
00:51:47out on
00:51:48the field
00:51:49no point
00:51:50holding him back
00:51:51any longer
00:51:52they're going to need
00:51:53some of his attacking
00:51:54brilliance
00:51:55if Salford are going to
00:51:56get back into this
00:51:57well we saw a knee
00:51:58offload there
00:51:59from Partington
00:52:00but they weren't able
00:52:01to get off the back of it
00:52:02and maybe
00:52:03just maybe
00:52:04that's why Briley's
00:52:05out there
00:52:06is Salford's side
00:52:07the scoreboard
00:52:08pressure is growing
00:52:09on them
00:52:10Nick Arena
00:52:11catching up with Dwyer
00:52:12but catching him
00:52:13high
00:52:14and giving Lee
00:52:15another penalty
00:52:16that's not what was needed
00:52:19Dwyer just scampering
00:52:20across the field
00:52:21crabbing sideways
00:52:23and it's around the head
00:52:24and there's no arguing
00:52:25with it
00:52:29and it just invites
00:52:30the Leopards down
00:52:31into Salford's territory
00:52:32once more
00:52:38this is what's coming up
00:52:39you'll enjoy tonight
00:52:40you're enjoying tonight
00:52:41but
00:52:42you'll enjoy
00:52:43tonight
00:52:44with Kenny Logan
00:52:45the Kenny Logan
00:52:46challenge tomorrow
00:52:4710.15
00:52:48the
00:52:49preliminary final
00:52:50Panthers against
00:52:51the Sharks
00:52:5210.50am
00:52:53and another one of these
00:52:54tomorrow evening
00:52:55Warrington against
00:52:56St.Helens
00:52:57that's going to be
00:52:58epic as well
00:52:595 o'clock
00:53:00NRLW over the weekend
00:53:01as well
00:53:02but that is a mistake
00:53:03that has just
00:53:04given Salford
00:53:05a bit of a leg up
00:53:06Jack Hughes
00:53:07an ever present
00:53:08this season
00:53:09just loses the ball
00:53:10and perhaps
00:53:12sometimes they go your way
00:53:14and on that occasion
00:53:16Jack Hughes
00:53:18may feel he's hard done to
00:53:19Adrian Lamb
00:53:20certainly he agrees
00:53:23but it matters not
00:53:28so Salford's ball
00:53:29for the next
00:53:30six plays
00:53:32how do they respond
00:53:33to the double punch
00:53:35they have just suffered
00:53:37two tries in six minutes
00:53:39turning this game
00:53:40right around
00:53:41Lee in the driving seat
00:53:43Salford
00:53:44somehow
00:53:45need to get back
00:53:46control of the vehicle
00:53:48Mellor
00:53:50behind at Singleton
00:53:51Nick Areva
00:53:52drops it in again
00:53:53here's MacDonald
00:53:54MacDonald with that
00:53:55urgency
00:53:58and he's pointing
00:53:59something out to his
00:54:01assistant
00:54:02Kurt Haggerty
00:54:04this is Partington
00:54:05another no look pass
00:54:06but he should have
00:54:07looked because it went
00:54:08forward
00:54:09and the referee
00:54:10was looking
00:54:11and that is a very
00:54:12clumsy mistake
00:54:13they've made
00:54:14shake of the head
00:54:15from Partington
00:54:16but you see as soon as
00:54:17the ball
00:54:18released from his hand
00:54:19it's a good yard and a half
00:54:20forward
00:54:24Jack Hughes comes up
00:54:25with the mistake
00:54:26on play two
00:54:27in the set before
00:54:29and Partington
00:54:30follows up with that
00:54:3416 minutes
00:54:36and 40 seconds
00:54:37to go
00:54:40you still sense
00:54:41this is going to go
00:54:42to the 80th minute
00:54:43before
00:54:44either side can settle
00:54:45and relax
00:54:48it's an absolute
00:54:49must that Salford
00:54:50score next
00:54:55that's
00:54:56that's poor
00:54:57that's poor from Dwight
00:54:59doesn't connect
00:55:00luckily for him
00:55:01it went backwards
00:55:02and he's able to regather
00:55:03but they've lost
00:55:04the play and they've
00:55:05lost some yards
00:55:06heartache now
00:55:07seeking to find
00:55:08lost ground
00:55:10Dwight is back
00:55:11in position
00:55:12looking for something
00:55:13a little neater this time
00:55:15Penne
00:55:16puts that ball
00:55:17under his shoulder
00:55:18and charges it forward
00:55:19tries to break
00:55:20the resolve of those
00:55:21Salford defenders
00:55:23skip
00:55:25and a jump
00:55:29in one place
00:55:30Moylan kicks
00:55:32Briley watches
00:55:33carefully
00:55:34and has to be careful
00:55:35because Charlie's
00:55:36all over him
00:55:37and he slides back
00:55:38into his own
00:55:39in goal area
00:55:42sliding tackle
00:55:43the referee confirms
00:55:44Salford having to
00:55:45drop
00:55:46from underneath
00:55:47the sticks again
00:55:48Josh Charlie
00:55:49has a move
00:55:51it's a terrific chase
00:55:54Charlie's hurt
00:55:55here isn't he
00:56:04the kick was a good
00:56:05one from Moylan
00:56:07and the chase from
00:56:08Charlie was
00:56:09exceptional
00:56:11and Briley just gets
00:56:12on the loose ball
00:56:13and slides over
00:56:14his own
00:56:15in goal line
00:56:16to force a goal line
00:56:17drop out
00:56:20here's Josh Charlie
00:56:21who needs attention
00:56:22at the moment
00:56:27concern look from
00:56:28the opposition
00:56:29bench as well
00:56:31Paul Rooney
00:56:32that's this
00:56:33injury at the moment
00:56:38careful as ever
00:56:39the medical staff
00:56:40no risks taken
00:56:42they're immediately
00:56:43on the field aren't they
00:56:44they boss this situation
00:56:45don't they
00:56:54Charlie getting
00:56:55the treatment here
00:56:56but he's the man
00:56:57who put his side
00:56:58on the road here
00:57:012-0 down
00:57:02until the 52nd
00:57:03minute
00:57:08suddenly this happens
00:57:10Charlie on the end
00:57:11of the handling movement
00:57:12and that left hand
00:57:13side for Lee
00:57:14strikes again
00:57:16it was a terrific
00:57:17score
00:57:20and then this
00:57:21was the hammer blow
00:57:22for the Red Devils
00:57:24just opens open
00:57:25a puppy just
00:57:26burst through a hole
00:57:29and that piece of
00:57:30skill on the end
00:57:32is brave
00:57:33the cut out ball
00:57:35Gareth O'Brien
00:57:37just slides over
00:57:39the kicks converted
00:57:40and that leads us to
00:57:41this 8 point ball game
00:57:42that we're in
00:57:44and 15 minutes
00:57:45left to play
00:57:46there's still
00:57:47a huge opportunity
00:57:48here
00:57:49for Salford Red Devils
00:57:54they're going to
00:57:55take their time here
00:57:56this is not a great
00:57:57side either
00:58:01stretcher being brought
00:58:02on
00:58:05and on the back
00:58:06of this
00:58:07Salford know that
00:58:08they've got some
00:58:09big defending to do
00:58:10here because
00:58:11once this injury
00:58:12is sorted
00:58:13Salford having to
00:58:14drop from underneath
00:58:15their own sticks
00:58:16and Lee will come
00:58:17at them again
00:58:19and Josh Charlie
00:58:20of course
00:58:21we hope he's okay
00:58:2318 tries this season
00:58:24with that one
00:58:26included tonight
00:58:27the three time
00:58:28grand final winner
00:58:29with the Wigan Warriors
00:58:32and of course
00:58:33we mentioned there
00:58:34248 tries
00:58:35to his name
00:58:36an absolute winner
00:58:38a warrior of our game
00:58:40in Josh Charlie
00:58:41terrific try scorer
00:58:43and let's just hope
00:58:44that he's okay
00:58:46three times grand final
00:58:47winner of course
00:58:48was Josh
00:58:50at Wigan
00:58:512010
00:58:5213 and 16
00:58:54Super League's
00:58:55top try scorer
00:58:56twice
00:58:5831 and 33
00:58:59to his name
00:59:00in 2012
00:59:01and 2013
00:59:04so they know his value
00:59:06and he's pedigree
00:59:07proven forever now
00:59:08with the fact that
00:59:09he will finish
00:59:10his career
00:59:11at the very least
00:59:12as the second
00:59:13highest Super League
00:59:14top try scorer
00:59:15of all time
00:59:24how does Salford
00:59:25turn this around
00:59:27well they've completely
00:59:28been a different side
00:59:29than what they were
00:59:30in the first half
00:59:31you know Max needs
00:59:32a lot of neat kicks
00:59:33in but they haven't
00:59:34been what they were
00:59:35of the same quality
00:59:36you know Matt Moylan
00:59:37has dealt with every
00:59:38single high kick
00:59:39that came his way
00:59:40but there hasn't
00:59:41been any variety
00:59:42given where Max needs
00:59:43being kicking the ball
00:59:44they just need to
00:59:45spend some time
00:59:46down in Lee's
00:59:4720 meter zone
00:59:48because I actually
00:59:49I don't recall them
00:59:50having a play of the
00:59:51ball really in the
00:59:52second half
00:59:53down that end of the
00:59:54field
00:59:55and how different
00:59:56was that compared
00:59:57to the first half
00:59:58when they're attacking
00:59:59you know the guys
01:00:00have pitch side
01:00:01and hence the score
01:00:02board only being
01:00:032-0
01:00:04but they really do
01:00:05need to start to
01:00:06camp down that
01:00:07end of the field
01:00:08because time is
01:00:09ticking and as each
01:00:10and every second
01:00:11goes by Dave
01:00:12their Super League
01:00:13season looks like
01:00:14it's going to be
01:00:15over
01:00:16well they have some
01:00:17brilliance in their
01:00:18ranks though
01:00:19there's some
01:00:20lightning strikes
01:00:21potential lightning
01:00:22strikes in there
01:00:23oh there is
01:00:24you know Ryan
01:00:25Briley being
01:00:26introduced as well
01:00:27you know if
01:00:28Nene Macdonald
01:00:29and Tim Laffey
01:00:30and then provide
01:00:31an offload for
01:00:32Briley to get on
01:00:33the end of
01:00:34you would imagine
01:00:35that if there's
01:00:36going to be points
01:00:37anywhere it's going
01:00:38to come from
01:00:39Nene Macdonald
01:00:40Tim Laffey
01:00:41Ryan Briley
01:00:42all marks need
01:00:46well obviously
01:00:47taking an abundance
01:00:48of care here at the
01:00:49Salford Community
01:00:50Stadium
01:00:51stricken Josh
01:00:52Charley
01:00:53lifted onto the
01:00:54stretcher here
01:00:55Sam Tompkins
01:00:56John Wilkin
01:00:57our thoughts
01:00:58obviously first and
01:00:59foremost
01:01:00very very popular
01:01:01Super League
01:01:02player and you
01:01:03can see
01:01:04the worry in the
01:01:05eyes and in the
01:01:06faces of the
01:01:07Salford and the
01:01:08league players
01:01:09surrounding him
01:01:10yeah it's something
01:01:11that we we don't
01:01:12want to see it's
01:01:13inevitable in our
01:01:14sport that you're
01:01:15going to get injured
01:01:16at times and
01:01:17and Josh is one of
01:01:18the toughest I've
01:01:19played with Josh
01:01:20for a long long
01:01:21time so the fact
01:01:22that Josh is
01:01:23staredown and
01:01:24needs this much
01:01:25care makes you
01:01:26think it's
01:01:27it's something
01:01:29force going
01:01:30through vulnerable
01:01:31parts of the body
01:01:32Paul Roley
01:01:34deep in thought
01:01:35Adrian Lamb of
01:01:36course will have
01:01:37first and foremost
01:01:38in his thoughts
01:01:39Josh Charley and
01:01:40making sure that he
01:01:41gets all the
01:01:42attention that is
01:01:43needed now
01:01:44yeah it was
01:01:45just an awkward
01:01:46fall Josh really
01:01:47committed to the
01:01:48challenge and chased
01:01:49hard you know
01:01:50he competes
01:01:51hard on almost
01:01:52every player
01:01:53within the game
01:01:54he did the
01:01:55self same thing
01:01:56there just rolled
01:01:57Hopefully that's precautionary, but yeah, I guess a rousing reception or the fans really
01:02:08getting behind him as he leaves the field.
01:02:09Sad to see, Brian, you know, sad to see, but all our thoughts are with him.
01:02:14It's tough to see, as a team-mate or as an opposition player, Sam, it is an uncomfortable
01:02:19thing to see him on a rugby league field.
01:02:21Yeah, it's something that you know is in the back of everybody's minds.
01:02:25Every sport we play is a full-contact sport, full-blooded, and Josh competes, black-johns
01:02:29out as hard as anyone.
01:02:31But they do have to get back to the match at hand.
01:02:34As I say, our thoughts are with Josh Charney being taken care of here at the Salford Community
01:02:39Stadium.
01:02:40Let's get back to Kyle Amoore and to Dave Woods.
01:02:43Thank you, Brian.
01:02:45Fifteen minutes of the match remaining at the moment.
01:02:49Lee in control.
01:02:52But Salford can spring a surprise or two.
01:02:55We know the talent they've got in their sides, but Lee are searching here for what might
01:03:00be a match-winning moment.
01:03:03He is certainly playing with verve and confidence as Pene smashes it forward.
01:03:11Dwyer steps over the bodies on the ground to get that pass away.
01:03:14Amoore.
01:03:15But there's one play to go.
01:03:18Dwyer goes wide.
01:03:19It's with him.
01:03:20Edwin Epape, who shows the dummy and sees the line, and scores a potentially match-winning
01:03:28try.
01:03:29A player of the match performance from Edwin Epape last week, and it was mainly through
01:03:37his defence.
01:03:38But tonight, with ball in hand, Edwin Epape has absolutely just thrown a dagger through
01:03:46the heart of the Salford Red Devils.
01:03:50They had the numbers, but Epape just pumps the ball, gets underneath a challenge, and
01:03:57has the presence of mind just to promote the ball and dot it over the line.
01:04:04A huge, huge score in the race for Old Trafford.
01:04:09Hankinson just can't deal with the strength.
01:04:13And Laffite, well, he has to take the bait.
01:04:18The cover from Snead and Hankinson just can't cope with the power of Epape, and Adrian Lamm
01:04:23knows.
01:04:24With 14 minutes left on the clock, and his Lee Leopards have still got more in them.
01:04:36Two moments of fabulousness from that fella, and Lee now.
01:04:43A giant stride towards being one game away.
01:04:48A place they've never been before.
01:04:51One game away from a grand final.
01:04:55Can Salford respond in the 13 minutes that remain?
01:05:02Moylan.
01:05:05They kick this.
01:05:0614 turns to 16 if he puts this over.
01:05:10And a two-score lead turns to three if he puts it over, but he hasn't put it over, so
01:05:15it remains at 14 points to two, and two tries and two goals keep Salford interested.
01:05:22The door is slightly, slightly ajar in this contest, for a way back in for the Red Devils.
01:05:31But time is really, really starting to run out.
01:05:34Snead goes short.
01:05:36Well, the one thing that will be concerning, oh, it's a penalty for Lee, penalty for Lee,
01:05:42and a celebration from those Lee players.
01:05:45I was going to say, the one thing that Lee will be concerned about is that they only
01:05:48have 15-fit players at the moment, so that rolling of interchanges is hampered.
01:05:54Of course, Frankie Holton lost to an HIA in the first half, and Shanley having been stretched
01:05:59it off just a few moments ago, but, such is the adrenaline, you suspect they aren't
01:06:05going to be too worried about that.
01:06:06No, but it just goes to show the luxury that the Lee Leopards have, having Zac Hardacre
01:06:11coming into the fold, he's done a terrific job in back row in the absence of Frankie
01:06:16Holton early on, but now he's switched out to the wing there to cover Josh Chanley, Zac
01:06:21of course a three-time grand final winner himself with the Leeds Rhinos, but just a
01:06:28word on Lee, you mentioned there that they've never been, if they can see this next 12 minutes
01:06:33out, you think about Adrian Lam and the side that brought up from the Championship, no
01:06:38-one give him a hold, they win the Challenge Cup final, and then they bow out in the play-offs,
01:06:44and now they go one step further, there's improvement here for Derek Baum on Lee Leopards.
01:06:51Lutelli, stopped, Dwyer picks up, dancing steps from him, looking, looking, sometimes
01:07:00you wonder if he knows where he's going from WR, trust his luck, one play, O'Brien puts
01:07:07it high, oh and Ryan's done really well, got up there, hampered considerably but somehow
01:07:13got up there, and took it.
01:07:14He almost has to climb over the shoulders of Hardy to get it, but he does well.
01:07:23Salford not quite in miracle-needed territory, but they're encroaching on that.
01:07:3295 away from where they want to be, two tries away from where they need to be, and struggling
01:07:39to get themselves downfield again.
01:07:41We've yet to see them move the ball from deep inside their own half, but we're so accustomed
01:07:46to, Deion Cross gets his side a quick play of the ball, Mala takes off now.
01:07:52This is the six, it's a chip and a chase, it's being chased but there's a block on his
01:07:57path, so it's a penalty here for Salford, and while that untangles, there's the chip,
01:08:03there's the block, O'Brien and Epape, let's quickly hear from Jenna who I think might
01:08:09have some news on Josh Charnley, Jenna.
01:08:11Yeah Dave, I can tell you that every available medical staff was on deck there for that injury,
01:08:17I spoke to the Salford doctor who was also helping, and the Salford doctor told me that
01:08:22it's a neck injury, every precaution is being taken, we saw him stretched from the pitch,
01:08:29his family are with him now, we just, yeah.
01:08:32We keep our fingers crossed, we hope for the best, and the best medical attention down
01:08:37there.
01:08:38But here comes Salford, Mela puts it back, Nicarina, is there a cavalry charge to be
01:08:45launched here by the side in red, they've got time left, it's drifting slowly away,
01:08:51but it's not an impossibility, Shorrocks can't go any further, they have to score this set,
01:08:59Mela, dummies, looks, no way through, it's the wall of black shirt players.
01:09:06So there's a waste of one, Shorrocks now, it's Snead, who pokes it into the ring, it's
01:09:11been spilled by Moylan, and it's a penalty for Salford, well this is frantic now.
01:09:21Again it was the kick of Snead, and Moylan, he doesn't come up with it, but there's enough
01:09:29Lee Leopard shirts around there, just to get on it, I think it's Amayla Hanley underneath
01:09:34the human rubble, who collects it, and gives away the penalty.
01:09:38It's tap and go from Salford's point of view, they cannot waste any time now, 5 out, are
01:09:46they about to rescue this situation, Singleton goes charging in, trying to batter down that
01:09:53big door, the hinges hold, and Mela waits, and here's Snead, and Snead, back to Nicarina,
01:10:02Nicarina almost dancing through, everybody holding their breath, and at the same time
01:10:09somehow bellowing out this huge noise, Mela again, Shorrocks, they're trying to catch
01:10:16them for numbers on this left hand side, but it ain't going past Laffey, three Lee defenders
01:10:23wrapping him up, Hankinson, spinning back, Mela, has a think, now it's with Nicarina,
01:10:36they're running into Coldysacs just at the moment, they've found another, and they've
01:10:40only one play to go, Mela, plenty to his left, that's where he goes, Snead, leads the think
01:10:48he puts one over the top, it got a hand on that, there was a hand on that by Hanley,
01:10:53so Salford will get it back again for another set of six.
01:10:56Oh, Brad Dwyer will breathe a sigh of relief, he shoots the line, comes out of system, Snead
01:11:03skips over, and the fingertips of Emila Hanley possibly deny Salford a score back in this
01:11:12game.
01:11:14It's now or never for Salford, Lee, having established that lead, are hanging on again
01:11:23on their own line, MacDonald bounces off the shoulder of Ipape, bounces off, another set
01:11:31of six, Mela runs into trouble, head first into those big welcoming arms of Amon, so
01:11:40Shorrocks takes over the dummy half-duties, and the referee says Lee are offside.
01:11:45Well, they're going to have to be careful here, Dave, because they're trying to see
01:11:50this game out, and just frustrate Salford, they did it in the first half, but through
01:11:56penalties they're treading the ice very, very thinly.
01:12:00And Salford are sensing a potential breakthrough here.
01:12:07Lewis plays it, Mela, Shorrocks now, on to Brierley, Brierley out, the shape looks good
01:12:14here, and Nick Arima almost rips through, Lee's defence is desperate, but he's successful.
01:12:23Slowed again, well there's players on the floor, Moyley's not cleared the rock, oh and
01:12:29then the ball is played, almost won back, referee's not happy with that, we go back
01:12:34to the play of the ball, now it's Mela, Mela flings it back, Shorrocks on its way, Lewis
01:12:39tries to bustle his way through, again three Lee defenders getting across there desperately.
01:12:46Mela hauls it back to Snead, Snead now, big pass out to MacDonald, MacDonald stepping
01:12:54back into the middle, but finding only bruising Lee's shoulders, and no path through.
01:13:00And they try again with two to go, Mela shooting off, pops it back, Shorrocks, well they're
01:13:07just dancing around, he's got to not float away, Sigleton picks it up, Sigleton thought
01:13:12he could get through, the ball went forward, Lee survived, and is that the moment when
01:13:20the dream expires for Salford, that was a big, big set, after set, after set, but Lee
01:13:27have held out, well Josh Shorrocks, he goes for broke, and the ball's thrown forward,
01:13:35it just burst a bubble on Salford's season, does that, well he's not the most emotional
01:13:40of coaches is it Paul Rowley, but you can detect disappointment in his eyes at the moment,
01:13:46it's a game that's slipping away, as time slips away, and he knows, he's on the verge
01:13:55of something special, Hardacre, there ain't going to be nothing fancy in this set from
01:14:02Lee, one man carries, it's another slip, Salford need it back, they need to score twice, and
01:14:13there's only, oh they've got it back, they've got it back, they've pinched it, Moorland's
01:14:18on his pocket, pinched, Nick Arima, so hope's still alive, chances still survive, Ryan,
01:14:27Ipape hits him hard with the shoulder, I think Ryan felt that, but he bravely gets on, now
01:14:34it comes left, Snead, Hankinson trying to push his way through, finding no give, Mellor
01:14:43again, Snead again, Shorrocks, they're going through hands, Nick Arima with a chip of the
01:14:48chase, was he hampered on his way through, yes he was, it's another penalty, and I think
01:14:55there's a Sinbidden coming here, there is, yeah, too many penalties, consistently know
01:15:02exactly what they're doing, Jack Hughes yellow carded, you could maybe argue his second one
01:15:09for the team there, but perhaps so, because that could have been the smartest play that
01:15:15Lee could have done, if they go on to win this game, it's Nick Arima on a play three
01:15:20kick, I was thinking what are you doing, record crowd in here tonight, nobody can take their
01:15:30eyes off this contest, and there is still a script to be written, Mellor, hard beating,
01:15:45spins it out, Snead sends it back, but he's hunted down his Breyling, Lee running on empty,
01:15:54finding fuel from somewhere, heroically in defence, Snead's kick, and it's batted back
01:16:00for Laffey, but even that outlandish, unusual play, doesn't catch Lee Cole, now it's into
01:16:07the goal area, it hits the post, but it's Lee I think who drops on it, yes they have,
01:16:13no, Salford's ball, Salford's ball, and another set of six, the clock is stopped with two
01:16:22minutes and 42 seconds to go, now it starts again, Snead puts the kick in, it bursts
01:16:29into the hands of Ethan Ryan, and Salford still do have hope, referee stops the clock
01:16:35to go for the video referee, you've got to check these on a night like tonight, in an
01:16:42important match like this, you have to check these, and it's in Salford's favour, because
01:16:48the clock has been stopped, while it's being checked, let's hear from the video referee.
01:16:53OK, zero tackle, we've got a try on field, we're checking onside, offside, and then into
01:16:58grounding, so everybody to the right of the kicker is onside, we can clear this through,
01:17:03and then just in towards the grounding police, or something from the corner, this will do,
01:17:13in possession of fouling.
01:17:21Well, wait for the response to this, because Salford fans will know, it's not much of a
01:17:27chance, but it is a chance that they've given themselves, it started with the Ethan Ryan
01:17:34try, it has to continue with a Mark Snead goal, he has to kick this, he has to kick
01:17:41this, otherwise it's all but game over.
01:17:45Huge kick, and Mark Snead, a man who has ice running through his veins and lives in these
01:17:52moments, and this is a huge, huge kick, if he gets it, we go the distance.
01:17:59If you wanted a cool fella anywhere in Super League to take a kick of this importance,
01:18:03this is the man, and he strikes it wide, of all the kicks to miss, Mark Snead puts it
01:18:11wide, two minutes left to play, and Salford are left still having to score twice, and
01:18:19I don't think that's possible.
01:18:20No, I don't think it is, Mark Snead just pushes the ball to the right-hand side of the post
01:18:27as we look at it there, and look at the reaction from Adrian Lam.
01:18:33Well, a heartbreak for Mark Snead, when Ethan Ryan had given them such a lift.
01:18:38Well, it came about through that Simbin, that's Lee Leopards' 19th yellow card this season
01:18:44Dave, and Jack Hughes' fourth, Sam Tomkins mentioned it would be a card he felt this
01:18:50evening, and he was right.
01:18:58Hard anchor, restarts, Lee, no, six tackles take them into the next round of these pulsating
01:19:07play-offs that have started at such a pace tonight.
01:19:12My goodness, we've got thrills over this next three weeks.
01:19:18Maybe the purists left scratching their heads at times, Snead's going for a 20-40 here,
01:19:25but he never had the angle, and hard anchor, back of full-back, has a look round at the
01:19:30scoreboard to see how long's to go.
01:19:33And this is it for Lee, they just need to take all the time in the world here, as that
01:19:39hard anchor looks to do that, there'll be nothing fancy in this set at all, ball security
01:19:45into contact, and just taking the time to play this ball eight down the clock.
01:19:52As we head into the final minute now.
01:19:58Into the last minute, it's beyond miracles, Lee, no, they've got the job done.
01:20:06They're still in it, they still have dreams of the ultimate prize, and given where they
01:20:14were just, what, nine, ten weeks ago, the impossible, that became the implausible, that
01:20:20then became improbable, now, well, you never know, you never know.
01:20:27Slow to his feet, 20 seconds to go, Moylan finds touch, the appetite to restart the game
01:20:35has surely gone, although Salford are hurrying here.
01:20:40Singleton will play the ball, but he'll hear the countdown ringing in his ears, the countdown
01:20:47that will end Salford's season, what a year they've had, but it starts and stops with
01:20:53the first playoff game, and Adrian Lamb, wow, is he thrilled.
01:21:01They were drifting just a few weeks ago, but they've reset the compass for Old Trafford,
01:21:08and now they're only 18 minutes, potentially, from a grand final, Lee Leopards keep on surprising,
01:21:17Salford now, it's back to the drawing board for next season, but it's a night for the
01:21:23Lee Leopards, they're through to the next round of the playoffs, they've won here tonight
01:21:30by 14 points to six.
01:21:39Well, we've got some people on the field there, commiserating with the Salford players,
01:21:45and they look like mainly youngsters, to be fair, I don't think there's a lot of trouble
01:21:49out there, it's just youngsters getting on there, and stewards are out as well, just
01:21:53to make sure that nothing develops, but what a night he's had, Edwin Ipape, last winner.
01:21:58A stellar performance from Edwin Ipape, and we talked about how important he would be
01:22:03with Tom Moan and John Asiata up front, and they delivered.
01:22:09John Asiata, the captain that saw his club lift the Challenge Cup for the first time
01:22:14in 52 years, could it be that the dream is still alive for John Asiata and the Lee Leopards
01:22:19to go all the way in 2024?
01:22:21They've written fairy tales, and they might, might be writing another, but boy have they
01:22:26got some big challenges ahead, but they've won here tonight, 14 points to six.
01:22:31Dave, Kyle, thank you very much.
01:22:34Well, well, well.
01:22:36We've got into do-or-play rugby league, and Lee have come up trumps.
01:22:41Oh, they have, yeah.
01:22:42A fantastic second half show of resilience.
01:22:45Actually, it scrambled really well defensively, and then they just came up with some killer
01:22:50players, Brian.
01:22:51Salford never got it going, that has to be said, but Lee took their opportunities and
01:22:56deserved a place in the second round of the playoff.
01:22:58They will not forget tonight.
01:23:00Thousands upon thousands of travelling Lee fans.
01:23:03Admittedly, they don't have the greatest distance to travel.
01:23:06However, they've travelled in huge numbers, and they have seen their side explode in the
01:23:10second half.
01:23:11Yeah, Lee are a well-supported side, and they've really come to life the last couple of months,
01:23:16so I believe all these Lee fans are believing they can go on to Old Trafford, and tonight
01:23:21I don't think they've had a great performance this Lee side, but when it mattered, they
01:23:26had that little bit of class, that little bit of, you know, a little bit more tenacity
01:23:31I thought, in the way that they attacked than Salford did.
01:23:34Well, they move on to a yet-to-be-determined destination that will, of course, depend on
01:23:38what happens between Warrington and St Helens tomorrow.