Reds claim Bronco scalp

An inspirational display by full-back Karl Fitzpatrick helped Salford City Reds claim their first win of the Engage Super League season, narrowly edging past London Broncos 20-16.

The Irish international scored two tries and had a hand in another as Karl Harrison?s side finally got their campaign up and running.

A tight first half saw Anthony Stewart and Fitzpatrick open an eight-point lead for City Reds although Jon Wells? try earned Broncos a lifeline going into the break.

Despite Thomas Leuluai scoring early in the second half, Salford were not to be undone and a clever Fitzpatrick touchdown followed by Ian Sibbit?s try made Luke Dorn?s last-gasp score nothing but a consolation. Defences were on top in the early stages as both sides were forced into errors by some big hits.

It was, therefore, a surprise when the first try came in the 11th minute through Stewart.

It had its origins in Salford?s own half where full-back Fitzpatrick collected a kick and returned with interest, the Ireland international brought down just shy of London?s try-line.

But the run created disarray in the visitors? ranks, and the ball was recycled out to the other wing where Stewart side-stepped his marker and crashed over in the corner for his first try of the season. Chris Charles missed the conversion.

With Salford sizing up almost every tackle to perfection, it was only in the 24th minute that London threatened the hosts? try-line when full-back Zebastian Luisi had a try disallowed.

Their misery was compounded when the Reds claimed their second try four minutes later.

A superb break by replacement Gareth Haggerty created space and he offloaded to Fitzpatrick on halfway.

The jet-heeled 24-year-old easily skirted Luisi?s challenge and galloped over in the corner - just as Luisi had come back to challenge. Again the conversion was missed by Charles from wide out.

London?s riposte was rapid. In the 35th minute, Leuluai kicked a bomb into the right corner and Wells rose like a high-jumper to receive and ground in one move. Broncos? conversion was also missed by Paul Sykes.

London began the second half as they ended the first. A strong run by Solomon Haumono after 45 minutes minutes enticed a number of tacklers. And from the play-back, former New Zealand Warrior Leuluai, forever a handful, darted into the gap to plunder over.

This time Sykes made no mistake with the conversion to put the visitors 10-8 ahead.

Salford were stung into action and spent the next 10 minutes camped in London?s half - but with no end product.

The hosts received a setback in the 56th minute when prop Sean Rutgerson was sent to the sin-bin for holding down his tackler as London mounted a counter-attack.

But it did not seem to impair Salford as Fitzpatrick reclaimed the lead for Salford with 15 minutes left.

Receiving a flat pass from Cliff Beverley 10 yards out, City Reds? most improved player last year showed why he picked up the award as he jinked one way, then the other, deceiving the flat-footed Mark McLinden to scurry over under the posts. Charles converted to extend the lead.

Sibbit then sealed the win in the 75th minute, sailing over unchallenged from 30 yards. Charles converted and the game was won, despite Dorn?s consolation try in the dying embers. Salford: Fitzpatrick, Stewart, Littler, McGuinness, Hodgson, Beverley, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Rutgerson, Sibbit, Jonkers, Charles. Replacements: Shipway, Haggerty, Johnson, Brocklehurst. London: Lucky Luisi, Greenwood, Bradley-Qalilawa, Sykes, Wells, Dorn, Leuluai, Trindall, McLinden, Tookey, Haumono, Hopkins, Purdham. Replacements: Budworth, Stringer, Armour, Smith. Salford: (8) 20. Tries: Stewart, Fitzpatrick 2, Sibbit. Goals: Charles 2.

London: (4) 16. Tries: Wells, Leuluai, Dorn. Goals: Sykes 2.

Referee: Karl Kirkpatrick (Warrington) Att: 3,315