Sinfield modestly passes on the credit after his club milestone

Salford must be sick of the sight of Kevin Sinfield after Leeds Rhinos’ captain’s latest record-breaking exploits at their expense.

Last season the England international kicked five goals in the Rhinos’ 30-22 win at the Willows to reach 2,410 points and break Paul Deacon’s Super League record.

On Friday, at the Reds’ new Salford Community Stadium, the goalkicking stand-off scored a try and kicked eight goals in a 56-16 victory to become his club’s all-time leading scorer, going past Lewis Jones’s tally of 2,920 points.

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Sinfield typically played down his achievement, saying: “More pleasing is the way we played than beating the record.

“I have played in some amazing teams and have been lucky that most of the tries have been under the posts.”

Leeds coach Brian McDermott saluted his captain’s effort, saying: “To beat Lewis Jones’s record is incredible. He took longer to score his points than Kevin, who did not start kicking until 2003.

“To beat his record is incredible and it’s also recognition of all the great teams Kevin has played in over the years.

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“Salford did not give us too many gaps and we had to break them down.

“Salford coach Phil Veivers may be down and angry, but it was more about our performance.

“Zak Hardaker’s evasive skills are top notch and the other centre Kallum Watkins isn’t bad either.”

The Rhinos fell behind to Vinnie Anderson’s try but rallied to lead 32-4 at half-time and centre Zak Hardaker also had plenty to celebrate with a hat-trick of tries as they made it four wins in a row to remain two points behind leaders Huddersfield with a game in hand.

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Sinfield admitted he did not expect to set a new club record at Salford.

He had needed 16 points to pass ones’s haul and finished with 20 points from a try and eight goals from 10 attempts.

Sinfield said: “I thought it would be tough and did not think I would get close (at Salford), but I am delighted to do it.

“I was a bit worried I may not score a try all season.

“I did not know how many points Lewis Jones had got when I started kicking.”

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Reds boss Veivers lamented his side’s first-half show as they trailed 32-4 at the break.

“They blew us away in the first half and it was all over at half-time,” said Veivers.

“They got us down the short side a couple of times and missing individual contact in the tackle cost us dearly.”