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Huddersfield 16 Salford Reds 18

29/ 3/2007

THAT'S the Salford we all know and love - organised, committed and miserly in defence.

Those qualities saw the Reds qualify for the Super League play-offs for the first time last year.

But they have been nowhere to be seen this season - until Sunday that is.

It was arguably Salford's most important game in years and history was against them. The Reds had lost their last seven games at the land of the Giants. Had that trend continued, Salford would have been in deep, deep trouble just one point clear of the relegation zone.

It was time for the players to deliver and deliver they did. They ran their blood to water to record their first away win since last June and open up a five-point cushion between themselves and basement club Huddersfield.

All 17 Reds deserve a big pat on the back for grounding out the crucial win.

But there were four players who made particularly important contributions - Luke Robinson, Jordan Turner, John Wilshere and David Berthezene.

Robinson was at his all action best at scrum half, scoring two of Salford's tries - one of which was gifted to him by former Reds target John Skandalis - and setting up the other.

Tricky 18-year-old half back Turner impressed out of position at centre and his first try for the Reds turned out to be a match winner.

Wilshere's 100 per cent record with the boot was a Godsend - especially with Chris Thorman missing a conversion and a late penalty for Huddersfield.

But, had they been able to pronounce it, Berthezene would have been the name on Salford fans' lips on the journey home from Huddersfield. The on-loan French international had a cracking debut at hooker - making light of inspirational skipper Malc Alker's absence.

He spent a spell in the sin bin for using his knee in a first half tackle but he was flawless in terms of his passing and tackling and it is hard to believe that he had only had three training sessions with the team prior to the match.

Paul Highton, Andy Coley, Michael Korkidas and Gareth Haggerty muscled up to neutralise the giant threat of Huddersfield's forwards, Luke Dorn had his best game for Salford at stand off, Kevin McGuinness continued his encouraging form in the centres while youngsters Daley Williams, Luke Adamson and Lee Jewitt seem to be growing in stature with every game that they play.

Team: Hodgson; Williams, McGuinness, Turner, Wilshere; Dorn, Robinson; Korkidas, Berthezene, Highton, Coley, Adamson, Finnigan. Subs used: Littler, Haggerty, Jewitt, Brocklehurst. Tries: Robinson (2), Turner. Goals: Wilshere (3).

Attendance: 5,275.