Super League

Salford move off bottom with comeback win

ESPN staff

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Leroy Cudjoe was in good form for Huddersfield © Getty Images

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Wigan pull clear at the top

Steven Tyrer scored a hat-trick as Salford City Reds moved off the foot of the Super League with a 26-22 win at Harlequins on Sunday.

The victory was sealed after a remarkable comeback from 18-4 down - Salford claiming the lead for the first time with five minutes to go - as Quins crumbled in the face of sustained late pressure from the visitors.

Tries from Danny Orr, Karl Temata and Lamont Bryan had put Quins in the ascendency, but Tyrer's hat-trick added to Karl Fitzpatrick's opener as Salford came roaring back. Jodie Broughton then made the game safe with the Reds' fifth touchdown, rendering Ben Jones-Bishop's last-minute score mere consolation for the home side.

Huddersfield Giants won the big Yorkshire derby encounter on Sunday, edging out Leeds Rhinos 26-20 at the Galpharm Stadium.

Leroy Cudjoe and Rob Burrow both put on fine displays with the boot, kicking five and four goals respectively, but the telling score came from Martin Aspinwall with 15 minutes remaining. With the Giants trailing 20-18, Aspinwall broke the Leeds rearguard to steal the points as Huddersfield leap up to third in the table.

Burrow, Danny McGuire and Ryan Hall had given Leeds a winning platform, but Shaun Lunt, Lee Gilmour and Larne Patrick all went over for the hosts to set up Aspinwall's winner.

Warrington Wolves joined Wigan at the top of the Super League on Saturday, after coming from behind to thrash Bradford Bulls 33-8 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The Wolves sit in second place on account of Wigan's greater points difference, but they will nevertheless be delighted to have overcome a spirited first 50 minutes from the Bulls. Richie Myler, Ryan Atkins (2), Matt King (2) and Michael Monaghan all crossed the whitewash for Warrington, who trailed their visitors until half an hour from the final whistle.

Andy Lynch handed the Bulls the lead with the game's first try, and Paul Sykes' 37th-minute touchdown ensured Bradford led 10-6 at the 50th-minute mark, despite Myler's reply.

Matt King was one of Warrington's tryscorers © Getty Images

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However, three tries in 13 minutes from Atkins and King turned the contest on its head, with Chris Bridge adding the extras with the boot. Monaghan's try then ruled out any chance of a Bradford comeback, before King's second of the afternoon completed the scoring.

At the bottom of the table, Castleford Tigers battled to a hugely important victory over Catalans Dragons, winning 20-16 at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Catalans led for long periods thanks to tries from Chris Walker, Jamal Fakir and Casey McGuire, but they could not hold on to their lead as the Tigers drew level on 55 minutes, before finishing the stronger to claim a victory that lifts them to 10th in the table.

Mitchell Sargent, Rangl Chase and Stuart Jones all scored tries to bring Castleford on level terms, but it was Michael Wainwright's touchdown 15 minutes from time that decided the contest.

Wigan went two points clear at the top of the Super League on Friday, after thrashing rivals Hull 48-24 at the DW Stadium. Top scorer Pat Richards scored his ninth try of the season, and Darrell Goulding, Martin Gleeson and Amos Roberts all ran over to give the home side a 24-6 lead at half-time.

Goulding doubled his tally after the break, and Sam Tomkins scored two to seal an emphatic victory over Richard Agar's side, who were level on points with the Warriors at the beginning of play. Three late tries from Sean Long, Craig Hall and Richard Horne made the scoreline less flattering, but it was not enough as Hull slumped to their second defeat of the season.

Wakefield staged a second half comeback to beat Hull KR 31-18 at Craven Park. Justin Morgan's side looked to be on course for a third successive victory, leading 18-6 at the break, thanks to first-half tries from Liam Colbon, Jake Webster and Scott Murrell.

But after their 52-0 thrashing at the hands of Huddersfield last week, Wildcats boss John Kear had demanded an improved performance, and he got it. Four tries in the second half Sam Obst, Matt Blaymire, Daryl Millard and Shane Tronc helped the Wildcats seal an impressive turnaround.

St Helens held on to beat Crusaders 37-30. After leading 24-6 at half-time, Mick Potter's side were cruising, but the Welsh side fought back and nearly caused an upset.