Salford win
eases relegation worries and Broncos held to draw by Hull

Official English Super League Round 19 game reports - Saturday games. Full time scores: Salford 24 Huddersfield 16, and London 24 Hull 24.

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Salford win eases relegation worries

Salford eased their relegation worries by ending a run of seven engage Super League defeats in a row with a hard-fought 24-16 victory over Huddersfield at the Willows.

The Reds were as high as fifth in the table after their Good Friday mauling of Warrington but had slipped to just a point above the drop zone during a disastrous May and June - which also included a Powergen Challenge Cup loss to London.

However, a 16-point haul from loose-forward Chris Charles, via a try and six kicks, helped end that barren run and dent the play-off hopes of Huddersfield.

Salford just shaded a tight first-half in which both sides were for the most part content to play for position.

The Giants did go ahead after 10 minutes with a superb try when centre James Evans broke from inside his own 20 and fed veteran winger Marcus St Hilaire to race over from half way.

However, Salford quickly hit back when stand-off Cliff Beverley made amends for missing the tackle on Evans by dancing round two Huddersfield defenders to touch down.

Both tries were converted to leave the scores level but Salford kicker Charles was then gifted another two points following a high tackle by Huddersfield full-back Paul Reilly in front of the post.

Charles failed to capitalise on another high tackle by Giants substitute Wayne McDonald further out though, and the Reds had to settle for an 8-6 lead at the break.

Salford extended their advantage soon into the second half when St Hilaire spooled a Beverley kick straight into the arms of Reds scrum-half Luke Robinson in the goal area.

Charles kicked the conversion and then added another six points to the scoreboard with a try and a goal following more sloppy play from Huddersfield.

Giants loose-forward Jonathan Grayshon knocked on at the base of a scrum 20 metres out from his own line, Salford sub Andy Coley tapped the ball on and Charles pounced just over the try line.

At 20-6 down, Huddersfield needed to hit back quickly but they did just that when a superb pass from prop Eorl Crabtree sent winger Stuart Donlan scampering over in the corner.

Robinson came up short with a long range drop goal attempt for Salford but an off-the-ball foul by prop Jim Gannon on the little scrum-half allowed Charles to kick another straight forward penalty and stretch the lead to 12.

A superb solo effort from Huddersfield stand-off Chris Thorman cut the deficit to six however, the 24 year old showing plenty of speed off the mark to break through Salford's defence and round full back Beverley.

Another drop goal attempt from Robinson was deflected wide but when the resultant drop out from under the sticks failed to go 10 metres it gave Charles an easy two points and that was enough to settle the home side?s nerves.

Salford: Fitzpatrick, Langi, Littler, Hodgson, Smith, Beverley, Robinson, Rutgerson, Alker, Highton, Shipway, McAvoy, Charles. Replacements: Coley, Haggerty, Sibbit, Baldwin.

Huddersfield: Reilly, St Hilaire, Evans, Clayton, Donlan, Thorman, March, Crabtree, Drew, Gannon, Nero, Smith, Grayshon. Replacements: O'Hare, Gene, Jackson, McDonald.

Salford: (8) 24. Tries: Beverley, Robinson, Charles. Goals: Charles 6.

Huddersfield: (6) 16. Tries: St Hilaire, Donlan, Thorman. Goals: Thorman 2.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Dewsbury) Att: 2,682

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Broncos held to draw by Hull

London Broncos were held to a thrilling 24-24 draw by Hull as engage Super League came to Wales when the two sides met at Bridgend.

While London were looking to edge further in front of mid-table rivals Wigan, Hull had the opportunity to nose clear of Bradford in their pursuit of a top-four place.

The match was being played on neutral ground as the Broncos cannot currently use their Griffin Park home which is being re-seeded ahead of Brentford?s Football League season.

It did not seem to pose them any problems in the early stages, as the team from the capital made early gains.

London made the perfect start when Lee Hopkins and Luke Dorn went over for tries in the first 13 minutes, threatening to take the game away from their ?visitors?.

Lesser sides might have crumbled but Hull struck back to level the game in a frantic three-minute spell.

Chris Chester and Richie Barnett were the men who atoned for Hull?s early generosity, both touching down to square the match.

Hull were back in the game and buoyant but just before half-time a Nick Bradley try put London back in the ascendancy.

London boss Tony Rea would have been looking for his side to consolidate their lead and make a winning start to their run of forced away fixtures.

However it was his counterpart, Hull coach John Kear, who was up from his seat next as Nathan Blacklock crossed for the Yorkshire side.

The see-saw nature of the match continued when a Paul Sykes penalty nosed London back in front.

With the match?s climax approaching, Shaun Briscoe gave Hull the lead for the first time with their fourth try.

It was not to last long, however, as London hit back with a superb touchdown from Mark McLinden, and Hull were eventually thankful to Danny Brough as his late penalty - the final score of the match - ensured deadlock at full-time.

London: McLinden, Wells, Purdham, Sykes, Bradley-Qalilawa, Dorn, Leuluai, Trindall, Highton, Williams, Haumono, Hopkins, Mbu. Replacements: Lolohea, Tookey, Mateo, O?Halloran.

Hull: Briscoe, Blacklock, Whiting, Yeaman, Barnett, Cooke, R. Horne, Dowes, Brough, Thackray, Chester, Kearney, McMenemy. Replacements: Tony, G. Horne, Carvell, Higgins.

London: (16) 24. Tries: Hopkins, Dorn, Bradley-Qalilawa, McLinden. Goals: Sykes 4.

Hull: (10) 24. Tries: Chester, Barnett, Blacklock, Briscoe. Goals: Cooke 3, Brough.

Referee: Ben Thaler (Wakefield) Att: 3,775

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